Your Local Independent 208

Page 2 June 2026 AD SALES 01204 478812 TO ADVERTISE IN THE INDEPENDENT CONTACT OUR TEAM ON 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 THE historic lights on Queen’s Park Bridge are shining once again with its multi-mil- lion-pound restoration now complete. The bridge has been partially rebuilt and restored by Heywood company, BDB Special Projects, who used origi- nal drawings to carefully recreate the structure, so it has the same look and feel as it did when it was first unveiled in the 1930s. As part of the project, specialists fromMiddleton company Metcraft were brought in to restore the gold and green lighting columns which had once stood on the bridge. Although the lighting columns were beyond repair its team was able to salvage enough of the original lights to create exact replicas. The company has worked on heritage lighting projects around the country, including the lights on Westmin- ster Bridge. It painted the Queens Park lights in their orig- inal dark green and arranged for specialists to apply gold leaf to the lion motifs which adorn the structure. The lights were then reinstalled on the bridge and now have an electric- ity supply, enabling them to light up each evening from dusk to complement the existing street lights and highlight the bridge’s heritage features. The lights are energy efficient and can also be lit in different colours to honour special days in the calendar. Shah Wazir, Rochdale Council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “The Queen’s Park Bridge scheme has been wonder- ful project for our high- ways team. “Much more than an engineering and strength- ening project, it also involved the restoration of an important historic structure which has stood proudly in place for almost a century. “I’m incredibly proud of what’s been achieved by the council working closelywith fantastic local businesses, like BDB and Metcraft, and to see these wonderful historic lights brought back to life and glowing once again is the icing on the cake.” WASTEWATER from a sewer in Rochdale is set to supply 28GWh of low-cost, low-carbon heating to the town’s hospital, schools, leisure centre and homes. Supported by £1million from the gov- ernment’s Green Heat Network Fund, the project will link public buildings in the town centre, with work due to start in 2029 as part of Rochdale’s ongoing town centre regeneration. Heat networks are expected to play an important role in cutting heating emissions, which made up more than a third of the borough’s emissions in 2023. While the technology is relatively new in the UK, wastewater heat recov- ery is already used at more than 500 sites worldwide. Two heat sources were assessed, and a town centre sewer source heat pump was chosen as the best option. It will extract the thermal energy found in wastewater using a combi- nation of heat exchangers and a heat pump, with an energy centre planned for the current Mecca Bingo car park near Number One Riverside, Those behind the plan say removing the need for individual heat pumps, boilers and hot water tanks in build- ings, the network will provide cheaper, cleaner heating. Heating and hot water will be deliv- ered through a heat exchanger about the size of a small gas boiler, with indi- vidual controls in each property. Tricia Ayrton, deputy leader of Rochdale Council and cabinet mem- ber for climate change and environ- ment, said: “The scheme is a key part of Rochdale’s town centre regener- ation and is expected to create jobs and apprenticeships. “The significant grant will help us deliver a low-carbon heating system that will cut bills and CO2 emissions, improve air quality and provide ener- gy-efficient heating for public build- ings, including the town hall, leisure centre, art gallery, museum, schools, Rochdale Infirmary, police station, social housing, businesses, and other nearby buildings.” She added: “A business case is being prepared ahead of procurement in preparation for the 2029 start date. We will keep residents and local businesses informed as plans progress.” CROWDS flocked to enjoy the sunshine, great local food, drinks, live music and family entertain- ment at the Street Eat food and drink festival. The event, organised by Rochdale Business Improvement District (BID), saw visitors enjoy a wide range of tasty treats served up by local restaurant chefs. And there were free activities and rides for children, including Punch and Judy shows, face paint- ing and a caricaturist sketching free personal portraits alongwith a great musical line-up. BID manager Paul Ambrose said: “Street Eat is a fantastic event, giving us the opportunity to Festival: Street Eat attracts the crowds (Photo credit: Rochdale Council) Sun and fun on the menu Bridge project is a shining example Feeling the heat ROCHDALE wel- comed its new mayor as Councillor Faisal Rana was sworn in to office during a cere- mony at the town hall. The event was enjoyed by more than 300 guests including deputy lieu- tenants, diplomats from across the world, sea and navy cadets. E n t e r t a i n m e n t included performances by Rochdale Music Ser- vice, a dance routine by Desi Nach and violinist Faz Shah. Departing mayor Janet Emsley and consort Ken Emsley handed over their chains of office. After receiving his chain, the new mayor said: “I’m immensely proud and can’t wait to get started, raising money for my chosen Taking action on knife crime GREATER Man- chester Police has continued its efforts to reduce knife crime with signifi- cant results. During the latest Operation Spectre drive 64 arrests were made across the force area in relation to knife crime offences including knife-enabled robbery, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of class A and class B drugs. In Rochdale, officers delivered knife aware- ness sessions to Year Five pupils and were able to provide posi- tive engagement and safeguarding support, reflecting the importance of early intervention in reducing future harm and demand. GMP’s Violence Reduc- tion Unit Chief Inspector Paul Nolan said: “The collective effort from our teams across the force shows how important reducing knife crime is to each one of our officers and staff. Knife crime can have devastat- ing consequences from not only those directly affected by it but also the communities involved.” Meet your new mayor Sworn in: Faisal Rana and mayoress Iram Faisal charities and ensuring every voice in Rochdale is heard and celebrated.” The mayor’s charity appeal for 2026/27 will be raising funds for Spring- hill Hospice, The Chris- tie, SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Soci- ety), the Rochdale Veter- ans’ Breakfast Club, and the Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association. Born in Lahore, Paki- stan, after completing his secondary education the new mayor served as a commissioned officer in the Pakistan navy. During his military career he earned a bach- elor’s degree in mechan- ical engineering, a certificate in marine engineering specialisa- tion and a prestigious diploma in warship construction from the DCN Lorient Naval Shipbuilding Dockyard in France. Since set- tling in the UK, he has established himself as a respected community leader, entrepreneur and public servant. Mayoress Iram Faisal was born and raised in Rochdale. She attended Spotland Primary School and Falinge Park High School before starting her family. A mother of five, three of her children are doc- tors, while her twins are currently studying at university. champion the very best local food and drink. “It brings friends and families together, celebrates our vibrant town centre eateries and shows what a foodie hotspot the town is.”