News

Thimbles - your local haberdasher.
Thimbles - your local haberdasher.

We aim to bring you Littleborough local news from the Rochdale Observer, Rochdale Online and elsewhere. You can also check out old news in our News Archive.

If you've found an item of news that you'd like to share with the rest of Littleborough, please email us.

04 February 2012
Win a family day out on a steam train

The Friends of Littleborough Stations are running a writing competition for primary school pupils with a chance to win a family day out on a Steam Train in restored Victorian carriages.
 
The competition is open to children in years 5 and 6 at primary school.  To be in with a chance of winning, children must write a prose (of at least 150 words) or a verse (of at least 20 lines) about a railway-related topic.  For example, you could write a report of a day out or create a short story involving a railway.
 
Entries must be submitted before the 31st March 2012 and must be accompanied by a letter from a teacher on School notepaper certifying the authorship of the work.
 
Entries will be judged by the Committee of FoLSs and at least one outside judge, hopefully from Northern Rail.  The three entries judged to be the best will be submitted to Northern Rail for inclusion in their House magazine “Connections” or other publication at their discretion. The three winners' work will be displayed on the Platform Display Boards at Littleborough and Smithy Bridge stations for the Summer months.
 
The Top Winning entry will be awarded the prize donated by the Worth Valley Railway and the Vintage Vehicles Trust of a day out for a family (2 adults and up to 3 children) on one of the Special Vintage days to be held during June and July 2012. This includes travel in the specially restored vintage carriages behind a steam engine and entry to the Museum buildings.
 
The Second prize will be a FAMILY TICKET for the “Day Out With Thomas” on the train at Bury, kindly donated by the East Lancashire Railway. This prize is also for 2 adults and up to 2 children in the party. This one is ideal for the Thomas the Tank Engine Fans.
 
Entries complete with name, address and School name plus certifying letter should be sent to :-
 
The Secretary, Friends of Littleborough stations
2 Schofield Street
Littleborough
OL15 0JS
 
Entries must be received before 31st March 2012
 
WHO KNOWS MOST ABOUT RAILWAYS ? WHO CAN WRITE THE BEST STORY? CAN YOU PUT IT IN VERSE ?


 
02 February 2012
Treat your loved on on Valentines Day

Looking for somewhere to treat your loved on on Valentines Day?
 
The Summit Inn on Todmorden Road will be offering a romantic Valentine's Dinner on 14th February.  You'll be treated to a glass of bubbly on arrival before sitting down to a 3-course Italian Dinner with coffee.   Telephone 01706 378011 to book.  £33 per couple.
 
The Moorcock on Halifax Road is offering a delicious 4-course meal for £25 per head.  Or you can make it really romantic and stay overnight for £125 including dinner, bed and breakfast.  Call 01706 378156 to book.
 
The Waterside Bar and Restaurant, rated number 1 on travel web site TripAdvisor, is offering the full 3-course Waterside Experience for £42 per head. Call 01706 376250 to book.
 
And finally, if the purse strings are a little tight, you can dine at home by picking up a Valentine's Special 4-course meal for 2 from Littleborough Deli on Hare Hill Road.  All four courses are freshly prepared for you to re-heat at home and costs just £25.



 
31 January 2012
Free training for Littleborough businesses

Rochdale Council are offering free business training to Littleborough businesses.
 
Don’t miss out on this exciting package of FREE business training courses running throughout November designed to help your business thrive and grow.
 
All courses are free of charge to Rochdale borough businesses only (employing less than 250 staff).
 
Courses cover:
  • E‐Marketing
  • Sales
  • Marketing
  • Finance for Non Financial Managers
  • Introduction to Customer Service
  • Sell, Pitch & Present
  • Guerrilla Marketing
  • Introduction to Social Media
  • Get Social Media Savvy
  • Telesales
  • and more...
 
For businesses outside of the borough, a small charge of £25 per course is applied. Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
 
Rochdale Borough High Street Foundation
 
Wednesday 15 February 5.30pm – 8.30pm The Great Hall Rochdale Town Hall
 
This key 2012 event is for any business trading on the high street across Rochdale borough including retailers, cafés, bars, restaurants, solicitors, estate agents, accountants and more!
 
This high profile launch event will give delegates information and inspiration together with a range of motivational presentations reflecting today’s changing high
street landscape. Book your place now on this FREE presentation and networking evening and hear from the successful entrepreneur – LEVI ROOTS and his top tips to
business success.
 
 
To book any of the courses or the High Street event, please contact Lucy Pinto on 01706 926641 or email: lucy.pinto@ rochdale.gov.uk
Download the details of the FREE business training.

 
28 January 2012
Floating Occasions hope to provide your event decoration.

Rachael Nutter, with the support of the Prince's Trust, has recently set up an event decorating business named 'Floating Occasions'. Floating Occasions is based in Littleborough and provides a professional balloon arranging service with the unique option of bespoke handcrafted weights. She also able to provide other decorations such as banners and table confetti.
 
Rachael Nutter is aged 22 and has lived in Littleborough all her life.  She has a degree in contemporary theatre practice and is a performance artist.  She set up her own business so she would be able to earn an income while still persuing performance art.  
 
She has 4 years experience of creating balloon decorations and set up her business with the aid of the Prince's Trust.
 
"They are a wonderful charity and I could not have done it with out them", said Rachael.
 
Floating Occasions offers an event decoration service for weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations.  She also provides the unique option of bespoke balloon weights, appealing to brides in particular and delivers to Littleborough and the surrounding area.

Join Floating Occasions on Facebook

 
27 January 2012
Adam Kutereba SDR Fund passes £4,000

The fund raising efforts of Littleborough people have managed to raise over £4,000 in just two weeks for a 9-year old boy.
 
Adam Kutereba suffers from cerebal palsy and is eligible for a life-changing operation that could enable him to walk.  His family, friends and the whole of Littleborough are trying to raise £60,000 for surgery in America.
 
LittleboroughLocal is donating all commission received through Amazon sales to Adam and Littleborough Avon has agreed to donate 20% of all sales to him.  If you would like to help Adam then contact Littleborough Avon on 07875 964 279 or email littleborough-avon@live.co.uk.
 
There will be teams of people packing bags at Tesco on 4th February.  If you would like to help, please email fundraising@adamkuterebasdrfund.co.uk.
 
 


 
26 January 2012
New art craft courses for adults

Art.Works are running a series of Art and Craft classes at Ebor Studio, William Street in Littleborough.
 
The sessions are an informal hands on introduction to three art forms: silk painting, mosaic making and felt making.  They promise to be a relaxed and fun way to spend those dreary winter mornings.  You do not need to book onto each session, just the ones you fancy.  However, you will need to book prior to the date.  
 
Sessions take place on Mondays from 10am till 12pm and cost just £10 including all materials and copius amounts of tea!
 
 


 
20 January 2012
Adam Kutereba SDR Fundraising gathers pace

Littleborough residents are pulling together to raise £60,000 for a life-changing operation for 9-year old Adam Kutereba.
 
LittleboroughLocal has pledged to donate all commission earned from Amazon sales during January, February and March to the fund.  Anyone who wishes to buy products from the world's largest online retailer should use the link on the front-page of LittleboroughLocal rather than going direct to Amazon.
 
On the 17th of February, there will be a fundraising evening of music at Littleborough Cricket Club.  Featuring the local rock band - Slider and vocalists Helen and James it promises to be a great evening of entertainment.  There will be a performance from the Eenie Meenies from Turners Dance School and DJ Sam will be spinning the tunes into the night.  Tickets are £10 each and include a potato pie supper.  Tickets are limited so please contact Rachel Kutereba on 07776 222 764 to reserve one.
 
On 1st March at the Cricket Club, there will be an evening of Clairvoyance with David J. Golden. Tickets for this evening cost £10 and are available from the Electric Beach Tanning Salon on Victoria Street.
 
On 24th March there will be a Wax-a-Thon held at The Dyers Arms on Whitelees Road.  Come down and watch some brave Guys and Gals get waxed by Becki Bird.  If you want to take part, please contact Pam on 07778 707 491 or Lucy on 07850 344750.
 
Adam's mum, Rachel, is accepting donations for raffle prizes.  If you would like to donate a prize, please contact Rachel on 07776 222 764 or by email at rkutereba@hotmail.com.  Alternatively, you can give online at http://www.justgiving.com/adamKuterebaSDRfund or by texting JNMP87 £1 to 70070.  
 
You can also follow the fundraising on Facebook or Twitter.


 
18 January 2012
Free Rugby Training for 7 to 9 year olds.

Everyone knows how important it is to keep active and being part of a sports team keeps you fit as well as building friendships.
 
Littleborough Children's Rugby League training starts on Saturday 4th February at 10.00am on Littleborough Community School playing fields.
 
Training is for children aged 7 to 9 years old and is completely free of charge.  For more information, please contact Janine Browne on  01706 370974 or 0789 479 1033.


 
16 January 2012
New Site Supporter: Your Couture

Your Couture on Church Street is Littleborough's very own designer dress agency and has become LittleboroughLocal's latest supporter.
 
Opened by Samantha Rogers, the shop has a fantastic range of ladies and childrens designer garments and accessories.
 
Customers can give items to sell on their behalf at an arranged price. When they are sold, the sale price is split between the shop and the customer.   Samantha accepts designer goods, new and gently used in perfect condition.  If they are not sold within 6-weeks then they are returned to the customer to ensure a good stock turnover for regular customers.
 
"I have always been interested in fashion, and at 15 I started working the weekends at a designer clothes shop", said Samantha.  "I love designer clothes but, like everyone else, I don't like paying the price.  I used to visit a dress agency in Manchester and always thought it was a great idea. "
 
The shop is open 9.30 til 5 Tuesday to Friday and 9.30 til 4 on Saturday.
 
Samantha is offering LittleboroughLocal users 10% off their next purchase with our special offer voucher.

 
13 January 2012
Littleborough Band release a CD

Littleborough Brass Band have released a CD of their greatest tunes to celebrate their 150 year anniversary.
 
The CD will be available for sale from George Kelsall's Bookshop on Church Street and The Coach House.
 
The 12-track CD costs just £10 and features tracks such as Lord Of The Dance, St Clement, Trailblaze and more.