News

We aim to bring you Littleborough local news from the Rochdale Observer, Rochdale Online and elsewhere.

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

10 March 2010
An update from Gale

Gale Whittick is running in the Virgin London Marathon on 25th April and has been keeping us up-to-date with her training progress.
 
"Since I ran the Catforth Half-Marathon on 7th February I am now out running 3-4 times a week.  I've been doing short runs during the week and longer runs at weekends.  On Saturday I ran around Wardle, Smithybridge, towards Milnrow and then headed back home over Kingsway.  On Sunday 28th Feb I ran from Shore and headed towards Todmorden, listening to my iPod and singing along.  I finally reached the half way point, Todmorden Park, I then turned around and headed for home. I decided to have a change of scenery and ran along the canal for a while, then back onto the road, this is where my left knee began to ache!  I carried on singing again to my iPod so I didnt think too much about the pain I was having.  By the time I'd reached the Summit, I wasn't in so much pain with my knee.  I plodded on going through some of the side streets of  Littleborough and then ran up Shore Road which is a gradual 1/2 mile up hill - its the worst bit I have run.   So today  I have ran 14.6 miles  and I'm really pleased with myself ...because despite my knee aching like mad this has been my best day for training for the Virgin London Marathon, which is only 56 days away !!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Over the next month I will hopefully be doing 2 car boot sales.  The money raised from this is going towards the charity I'm running for - Action Medical Research, which I need to raise £1700.  This is where I need all you people out there to help me raise my target.  If you all pledged or donated a very small amount (as little as £3- £5) it will help me achieve my target amount and most of all those children and babies that are suffering that need our help."
Sponsor Gale Whittick in the London Marathon
If anyone would wish to donate to raise this amount (which for a very good cause) it would be very much appreciated.

 
08 March 2010
Spoil your Mum at the Waterside

The Waterside Restaurant and Bar is laying on a special Mother's Day treat.
 
They're offering a special Mother's Day menu on the 14th March that includes 3 courses for just £21.95.  And, since it's Mother's Day, your Mum will get a £10 Waterside gift voucher.
 
The special Mother's Day menu is:
 
STARTERS:
  • Fresh Soup of the day
  • Hummus and grilled pitta bread
  • Brussels pate with spreading toasts
  • Parma ham and brie croquette with a fruit reduction
  • Caramelised goats cheese parcel
 
MAINS:
  • Roast Rib-eye of beef sliced onto roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pud
  • Roast loin of pork with roasted potatoes, and a honey apple sauce
  • Chicken breast with a herb and onion stuffing
  • Slowly braised Lamb Henry with vegetables, roasted potatoes, mint sauce
 
DESSERTS:
  • Triple chocolate fudge cake with cream or ice-cream
  • Fresh Bramley apple pie served with cream, ice-cream or custard
  • Lemon cheesecake with biscuit base with cream or ice-cream
  • Fresh fruit salad with cream or ice-cream
 
If you want to make it extra special, there is a selection of side dishes and extra special starters and mains available for an extra charge.
See the full Mother's Day menu and make a reservation online.

 
06 March 2010
Sure Start Activities and Events

Sure Start Children’s Centres offer access to a range of support and services for families with children aged under 5 years old.
 
Services include early learning and childcare, parenting advice and health service and help for parents to find work or training.
 
Sure Start Children’s Centres give children the best start in life and help them to reach their potential with benefits for parents too.
 
Click here to download the events and activities for this month at Littleborough Children's Centre.

 
03 March 2010
Pictures of a bygone age

A LittleboroughLocal user has unearthed some pictures of bygone Littleborough.
 
The pictures - dating back to 1910 - show how Littleborough used to be.  Such as the park when the old Central school was there or the Co-op building that used to exist where the Sainsbury's car park is now.
 
The pictures were originally displayed on the LittleboroughOnline web site but were saved so they can continue to be enjoyed.
 
If anyone can provide more information about any of the pictures, we'd love to hear from you.


Visit the gallery for more Littleborough pictures.

 
01 March 2010
New Site Supporter: Lord Electrical

Lord Electrical, based in Smithy Bridge, Littleborough has become the latest business to support LittleboroughLocal.
 
Dean Lord is a City & Guilds qualified electrician and a registered NIC EIC Domestic Installer.
 
Being a NIC EIC Domestic Installer means you can be sure of a high standard of skills and professionalism using the best products in the industry.
 
Support your local tradesmen!
Read more on Lord Electrical's services.
Why not become a site supporter too and get your business on the front page of the site?

 
26 February 2010
Find out the future of Hare Hill House

MoorEnd Trust is seeking to transform Hare Hill House and Carnegie Library into a vibrant centre that serves the local community.  The Trust’s vision includes the creation of a venue that will operate as a conference facility, performance and exhibition space; a café to serve the occupants, visitors and users of the Park; a community meeting room and office/studio space for a variety of private and public and voluntary sector users.
 
David Harding said: “I together with the other Trust directors recognise that this is a significant undertaking that will take determination and hard work to bring to fruition. We have already been working for 3 years to bring the project to a point where we can realistically begin to engage with potential partners and funders."
 
The Trust is holding it's Annual General Meeting on 1st March in The Coach House, Lodge Street, Littleborough.  Come and hear what they've been up to in implementing this ambitious plan.
 
The meeting starts at 7pm but if you get there at 6.30pm then you can join the team for cheese and wine.
Visit the MoorEnd Trust's web site for more information on their work

 
24 February 2010
Business Networking Event a Success

A business networking event was held at KW Mortgage Services Ltd, Peel Street,  last Wednesday.
 
The event was arranged in conjunction with ISC Business solutions to encourage local businesses to work together and create new opportunities for everyone locally.
 
A light buffet was provided together with drinks – which went down a treat!
 
Over 40 people attended and there was a really great friendly atmosphere in the office.  Everyone was chatting and getting to know each other and building new business links.  Many people commented on how much of a success it was.  Something so simple as getting local people together worked fantastically for everyone involved.
 
LittleboroughLocal was there to explain how the site can help promote local businesses free of charge.
 
Kerry at KW Mortgages, who hosted the event, is encouraging everyone to work together in these tough times, and it proved on Wednesday that it works.  "Feedback has been excellent and I have been asked when is the next one?", Kerry said.  "I will be holding a networking event every quarter as, based on the fantastic turn out, it’s obviously something that the businesses of Littleborough want."
 
Details of the next event will follow soon!


 
22 February 2010
Station News

Friends Of Littleborough Stations have been busy working to make Littleborough and Smithy Bridge Train Stations safer, more accessible and more appealing.
 
Their February 2010 newsletter is now available for you to read all about the plans for access ramps at Littleborough, CCTV installations and Art displays at the stations.
 
They are looking for a volunteer to help extend their work into Rochdale's secondary schools.  If you can help, please contact the group (details on the newsletter).  Alternatively, if you'd just like to be involved with the group, membership costs just £3 per year (or £5 per year for Family membership).
 
Their next meeting will take place tonight at 2 Schofield Street, Littleborough.  Future dates will be featured on the Events page so keep an eye open for them there.
Download the FOLS Newsletter.

 
19 February 2010
Exhibitions at Littleborough Gallery

Here are details of upcoming Exhibitions at Littleborough Gallery.
 
 
11th -27th February
Love ART
A selection of work by your favourite artists including Larissa Weatherhead, Elizabeth White, CarmenTyrrell, David Ainsworth and Suzi Zobar.
 
4th March – 10th April
Norman Padley
Is this really Rochdale?
 
Stunning photographic images by this popular local photographer
 
Preview Wednesday 3rd March 6.30-8.30
 
15th April – 29th May
Here come the girls!
New work by three of our favourite female artists with very different styles, Chloe Small, Elaine Clarkson and Bev Rigby
    
Meet the artists Saturday 17th April 2-4
 
 
LittleboroughLocal is currently working on a dedicated exhibitions page that will tie-in all the exhibitions from Littleborough Gallery with those at the Coach House and Hollingworth Lake Visitors Centre.  Until then, they'll appear on the News page.
Visit the Littleborough Gallery web site.

 
17 February 2010
Local artist launches new web site

Local artist Peter Reed has launched a new web site offering people the chance to buy original and unique pieces of art.
 
Known as The Policeman Painter, Peter is a retired policeman whose naive work is inspired by his past experiences and is reflected in his work in which these memories are depicted.  His unique style is shown
in his landscapes.
 
He has had solo exhibitions at Littleborough Coach House, Portfolio, Platform1, Blackburn City Galleries and is regular exhibitor at Touchstones in Rochdale. His work is now hung not only here in the UK but also in Holland, Germany, France, Spain, Canada, Australia and many other countries.
 
His simple and affordable web site was created by 808solutions, who run LittleboroughLocal.
 
Visit P W Reed Art and get yourself an original piece of art.