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February 2026 Page 3 AD SALES 01204 478812 No part of this publication may be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2026. This newspaper is published monthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate, Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. Tel. 01204 478812 EDITOR: Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com ADVERTISING : JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk CLASSIFIEDS : Teresa Bond 01204 478812 teresa@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT US Talent: Some of the local artists who feature on the album alongside Andy McCluskey (OMD), Clint Boon (Inspiral Carpets) and Martin Moscrop (A Certain Ratio) outside Voltalab Sound Studios on Kenion Street AN internationally renowned photography exhibition mark- ing the 25th anniversary of KFOR in Kosova has opened in Rochdale. ‘KFOR and Kosovo +25’ was officially unveiled by the mayor of Rochdale Janet Emsley. It is open to the public until February 28 at Number One Riverside. The free exhibition includes more than 50 photographs from photojournalist Nick Sidle during the operation’s early stages. The images provide a unique insight into the work of the NATO led peacekeepers whilst highlight- ing human stories of the people of Kosova. At the launch, the mayor was joined by guests including veteran Paul Davies, who is one of the soldiers pictured in the exhibition, Rabbi Warren Elf, co-leader of the Interfaith Network Manchester and Deputy Lieutenant Rebecca Tarran. Kosovan food was provided by Rina Bujupi, a child refugee from Kosovo, who has set up her home in Manchester. Want to feel good? TICKET details for this summer’s Rochdale Feel Good Festival main stage have been confirmed and they are now on sale. The popular festival returns on SaturdayAugust8,foranothershowcase of music, food and entertainment, with line-up details to be announced soon. Early bird tickets for the 15th edition oftheeventare£15each,beforeanother phase of tickets are released at £25. The festival once again includes live music across indoor venues, the main stage on Rochdale Town Hall Square, a quality food and drink village and other entertainment. Line-up details will start to be con- firmed in the next few weeks. Previous main stage performers include Ocean Colour Scene, Razorlight, The Coral, The Fratellis, Heather Small and The Lightning Seeds. ICON IC mu s i c recorded in Rochdale is being celebrated with a new album fea- turing re-imagined recordings of some of the classic tracks and a live concert next month. The town boasts a rich and diverse musical leg- acy, from Gracie Fields to The Courteeners, Lisa Stansfield to Autechre. Between 1977–2001 it was home to both Suite Sixteen and Cargo Stu- dios on Kenion Street in the town. There trailblazing artists including OMD, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Joy Division, Inspiral Carpets, A Cer- tain Ratio, The Fall and many others recorded some of their most mem- orable work. To celebrate that her- itage, on March 14 an album titled ‘Rochdale Music Stories presents: Kenion Street’ is being launched – with a con- cert at the recently refur- bishedHeywood Civic and with each local act per- forming their track live. It will be hosted by the Inspiral Carpets front- man Clint Boon, who will also be chatting to some special guests as well as introducing the array of local talent. Staged in partnership with Rochdale Council and Rochdale Develop- ment Agency the show is part of ‘Rochdale Music Stories’ – a campaign launched in October 2025 as part of the town’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture. Its aim is to shine a spotlight on Rochdale’s longstanding influence on British music while promoting the next wave of talent. Sue Smith, cabinet member for culture and co-operation at Rochdale Council, said: “Music is so important to Rochdale, not just as a part of its rich history in the sev- enties and early eighties but in more recent dec- ades too. “We’re pushing this further during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture with this fabulous new album and concert. In the town where so many world-fa- mous artists recorded iconic tracks it’s great to see how groundbreaking music continues to thrive.” The story contin- ues this summer, with synth-pop icons Orches- tral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) returning to where it began when they perform a headline show at Rochdale Town Hall Square in August alongside post-punk legends Peter Hook &The Light, and Manchester’s post-punk/funk band – A Certain Ratio. A celebration of musical history PICTURES OF PEACEKEEPING Guest: Veteran Caen Matthews views the exhibition (Photo credit: Rochdale Council) GREATER Manchester Police (GMP) made more than 400 arrests during a December crackdown on drink and drug driving. Between December 1 and January 1, the force’s officers conducted impairment tests 1,599 and arrested 448 motorists for drink and drug driv- ing offences. GMP says that 85 per cent of those arrested were aged over 25. More than 200 people were arrested for drink driving and over 200 for drug driving. Chief Inspector Michael Parker, of GMP’s safer transport team, said: “These figures show that too many people are still choosing to get behind the wheel while impaired, placing themselves and others at serious risk.” He added: “This is a year-round focus for us as we see first-hand how drink and drug driving destroys lives. We will continue to target offenders and support Vision Zero’s ambition to eliminate death and serious injury on our roads by 2040.” PLANS have been unveiled for a scheme which would enable people in Rochdale without a drive or garage to charge electric cars at home for the first time It would involve the use of concealed cross channel pavement chargers, with a £149,000 government funding injection set to help kickstart the project. The cash injection will enable Rochdale Council to help fund the installation of cross pavement charging at around 125 properties. The cost of installing the charger itself will still need to be met by households, but small additional grants may be available to help them meet the cost. Shah Wazir, the council’s cabinet mem- ber for highways, said: “Electric cars will play a major role in helping us reach our goal, as part of Greater Manchester, of becoming carbon neutral by 2038. “But the lack of access to affordable at home charging means owning and running an electric vehicle remains out of reach for a lot of people. The proposal for the scheme follows a successful pilot, which was carried out last year. The next step in the rollout will see the council select a contractor to install the cross-pavement channels through a competitive tender exercise. On the charge Festive police op sees 400 arrests Checks: GMP cracked down on drink and drug driving over Christmas (Photo credit: GMP)