Your Local Independent 205

March 2026 Page 3 AD SALES 01204 478812 New look: Inside the revamped venue (Photo credit: Rochdale Council) A GREATER Man- chester housebuilder has donated £300 to Rochdale Food- bank to help with the high demand for its services. The charity, located near David Wilson Homes’ new Silver Hill Manor development, was founded in 2012 and helps approxi- mately 12,000 adults and children access food each year. Ruth Taylor, fundrais- ing manager at Roch- dale Foodbank, said: “Donations like this go straight to those most urgently in need and not only fill a plate with food, but also with hope. “As well as emergency packages, we also offer a wealth of other ser- vices. These range from a listening ear to debt management, citizens’ advice, information on saving on heating and other household bills, and healthcare services that signpost foodbank users to appropri- ate support.” Most recently, the charity opened Roch- dale Central Pantry. This is a community pantry where, for just a small amount per visit, users referred from the foodbank can stock up on fresh groceries. Claire Jarvis, man- aging director at David Wilson Homes North West, said: “We are proud to support Roch- dale Foodbank and its many initiatives to help the vulnerable people of Greater Manchester. Its services are vital to the local community and offer a helping hand during challeng- ing times.” SPRINGHILL Hos- pice is celebrating record-breaking suc- cess after its annual Reindeer Run com- munity fundraiser collected an incredible £71,039. The much-loved festive event brought together hundreds of supporters from across the commu- nity – including 50 local schools and nurseries – all donning reindeer antlers to run, walk, and jog in support of local hos- pice care. The total raised over the festive season marks the highest amount ever raised by the Reindeer Run, highlighting the generosity, enthusiasm, and dedication of partic- ipants, sponsors, volun- teers, and supporters. Funds raised will go directly towards provid- ing specialist palliative and end-of-life care for patients and their loved ones across the borough, Reindeer Run is a record breaker Much-loved: The annual Reindeer Run is a seasonal favourite (Photo credit: Springhill Hospice) Building support for foodbank Community work: Rochdale Foodbank is seeing high demand HEYWOOD Civic has opened its doors fol- lowing a multi-million pound revamp of the much-loved perfor- mance and commu- nity venue. The building, con- structed in the 1960s, temporarily closed in December 2024 to enable a Rochdale Council and Arts Council England funded refurbishment to take place. The centre has bene- fitted from a large glass fronted extension at the front to create a new bar and café. There are also new and additional chang- ing areas to enable the staging of bigger shows than ever before and retractable seating, to create a more flexible community space in the auditorium. Further upgrades to the performance area have improved lighting, sound and ventilation to create a better audience experience and the venue now benefits from more accessible facilities. Local arts organisa- tion, Cartwheel Arts, will be based in the building with space to put on community arts projects and workshops. Jen Cleary, North West director of Arts Council England, said: “We are proud to have supported the redevel- opment of Heywood Civic Centre through our Capital Invest- ment Programme. “The centre is a place where everyone in the local community can dis- cover their creativity and enjoy the benefits that cul- tural activity can bring to their wellbeing, as well as develop skills and pride in where they live. “And I’m sure that the fantastic programme of events will encour- age more people to visit Rochdale borough where they can see the cul- tural energy of the town for themselves.” The redevelopment is part of the wider regen- eration of Heywood. A separate project, run by the Heywood Town Board, will see £20mil- lion invested into the town over the next ten years using the gov- ernment’s Pride in Place funding. Peine Square, which sits immediately in front of Heywood Civic, has already been trans- formed using money from this fund. A Transport for Greater Manchester led project will also deliver major improvements to the roads and pathways in the area. A feeling of Civic pride ensuring that Springhill Hospice can continue delivering compassionate, high-quality services free of charge. A hospice spokeswoman said: “It’s truly incredible to see the generosity of our schools and nurseries. “Watching them come together for this event, and seeing it grow year on year, has been so inspiring. “Thank you to each and every person who donated, supported, and took part. Your kindness and commitment mean the world to us. “The funds raised will make such a meaning- ful difference to Sprin- ghill Hospice, helping us continue to provide compassionate care and support to those who need it most.” BOWLEE Car Boot Sale and Market – one of the most popular in Greater Manchester, attracting thousands of visitors every week – returns for the new season this Easter. The 2026 season at Bowlee Community Park in Middleton begins with a bank holiday double on Sunday, April 5 andMonday, April 6 and then runs on Sundays and bank holiday Mondays right through until October 11 (excluding Sunday, Mayh 3).  Sellers do not need to pre-book, and for the eighth year in a row, prices have been frozen at £15 for cars, £20 for small vans/people carriers/4X4s and £25 for large vans and above. For buyers, there are parking spaces formore than 1,200 cars at £2.50 per vehicle. Car boot returns