Main News

Leslie Smith was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court today

Man jailed for 33 years following investigation into years of abuse in Oldham

A man has been jailed for 33 years after being found guilty of 17 counts of rape, and 14 counts of indecent assault against six children during a two decade-long campaign of abuse in Oldham.

Date Published 05/01/2026


Closures at Big Lamp roundabout in Shaw

A major roundabout in Oldham will see road and lane closures for two weeks, with ‘delays expected’ for motorists heading in and out of Shaw.

Date Published 05/01/2026

‘Abandoned’ Coldhurst medical centre put up for auction

An ‘abandoned’ medical centre that shut down ‘without warning’ in 2021 is being put up for auction.

Date Published 02/01/2026


Saddleworth milestones set to be more than just signs of the times

Two local councillors, with the help of volunteers, are closing in on restoring all the traditional metal milestones across Saddleworth.

Date Published 02/01/2026

Uppermill mum’s bid to combat loneliness has helped 30,000 people living in isolation

The Chatty Café Scheme, UK’s leading non-profit social enterprise designed to tackle loneliness, set up by Oldham mum Alex Hoskyn (42), has reached a major milestone having helped...

Date Published 02/01/2026


Mountain rescue team dash to help injured walker

Oldham Mountain Rescue Team were called out on Saturday evening to assist a walker who had sustained a lower leg injury near Yeoman Hey Reservoir in Saddleworth.

Date Published 02/01/2026

Gavin is FCHO’s December 'Hidden Hero'

A First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) customer who helps organise affordable food for those in need was voted the housing association’s December Hidden Hero.

Date Published 02/01/2026


Private mental health unit in Oldham ordered to improve

A private mental health unit where patients were given out of date medication and a distressed woman was told by staff to ‘stop crying’ has been ordered to improve.

Date Published 02/01/2026

Karen's walk to Hartshead Pike proves to be a load of rubbish

Photographer Karen Jakeman set out on what should have been a beautiful 7.5 km circular walk up to a treasured local beauty spot, Hartshead Pike, near Mossley.

Date Published 02/01/2026


‘Magnet for fly-tipping’ leaves residents disgusted

A junction with a public bin in Oldham has become a ‘magnet for fly-tipping’ creating a ‘disgusting’ eyesore, according to locals.

Date Published 30/12/2025

The Oldhamers handed awards in King’s New Year’s Honours List

Hopwood Hall College Principal and CEO, Julia Heap, has been awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours List.

Date Published 30/12/2025


Oldham slammed over ‘shameful’ deprivation statistics

Oldham Council has been slammed over ‘bleak and shameful’ deprivation statistics that show conditions in the borough are worsening.

Date Published 30/12/2025

Homeowner ordered to remove ‘harmful’ windows on Grade II-listed building

A homeowner has been ordered to remove a whole set of UPVC windows and a front door after the council deemed it ‘harmful’ to an historic building in Saddleworth.

Date Published 30/12/2025


How Oldham looks set to change in 2026

Oldham is changing, as major developments across the Greater Manchester borough are making progress.

Date Published 30/12/2025

AI hackathon at Hulme Grammar School inspires 100 Oldham pupils

Hulme Grammar School and its specialist innovation hub, the Brenda Mills Institute of Innovation and Technology (BMIIT), successfully hosted a high-energy 12-hour hackathon.

Date Published 24/12/2025


The ‘exceptional’ children’s home where children’s voices are ‘heard and valued’ and troubled kids ‘excel’

A kids’ home in Oldham has been praised for allowing youngsters in care to ‘flourish and thrive’ after an inspection by a government watchdog.

Date Published 24/12/2025

Turkey and all the trimmings go down a treat at Tensing Street Community Centre

People who might have been alone on Christmas Day were able to enjoy turkey and all the trimmings at First Choice Homes Oldham’s (FCHO) Tensing Street Community Centre.

Date Published 24/12/2025


Dr Kershaw's Christmas concert raises the roof

Oldham Parish Church was alive with the sound of music as the Dr Kershaw’s annual Christmas concert got people in the festive spirit.

Date Published 24/12/2025

Oldham's first padel centre is approved

Oldham is due to get its first set of padel courts after plans to convert a former warehouse into a sportshall were approved.

Date Published 22/12/2025


Delph's Christmas snowman is restored

Community champion Christopher Bannatyne was determined not to be defeated by the callous vandals who initially wrecked his hand-built Christmas tree for children in Delph.

Date Published 22/12/2025

Oldham bin collection dates over the festive period

Oldham council has officially confirmed its bin collection schedule for the 2025 Christmas and New Year period.

Date Published 22/12/2025


Spending precious time together - the Community Christmas Lunch at Billingtons

This Christmas Day, Jason (The Eatery) and Kris (Billingtons Oldham) are opening their doors - and their hearts - to those who would otherwise spend the day alone.

Date Published 22/12/2025

Kids moved out of one Oldham children’s home, while report on another states ‘staff are exhausted and lack the skills to manage kids’ behaviours’

All kids living at a children’s home in Oldham have been moved elsewhere after a government watchdog slammed the unsafe care they were receiving.

Date Published 22/12/2025


Thirty-strong rescue team called into action

Thirty Mountain Rescue Team members from Oldham and Holme Valley were involved for four hours after being called out to assist two walkers in the Dovestones area after one had...

Date Published 22/12/2025

Family stuck in hotel emergency accommodation for four months

A family is waiting in the sparsely furnished but festively decked reception hall of a hotel.

Date Published 22/12/2025


Oldham Coliseum doors remain firmly shut

It’s well into the Panto season – but the doors of the Oldham Coliseum remain firmly shut.

Date Published 22/12/2025

Sentences handed down following 'brutal' manslaughter of Martin Shaw in 2023

Two local people have been convicted of the manslaughter of a man following a brutal assault in 2023.

Date Published 22/12/2025


From the pitch to the classroom - Dan’s second career kicks off

After nearly two decades on the football pitch with stints at clubs such as Latics, Celtic, Wigan and Doncaster, Dan Gardner has stepped into a very different team environment.

Date Published 17/12/2025

Meet the Delph Christmas angels

A flock of tiny, hand-crafted Christmas angels are ready to take flight, spreading happiness in a Saddleworth village.

Date Published 17/12/2025


Mayor's charity contribution for poorly Oldham children

An awards ceremony designed to celebrate our borough’s diverse community has had an added bonus - by raising £335 for kids in hospital.

Date Published 17/12/2025

FCHO condemns vandals who broke into Holts Community Centre and set fire to an outbuilding

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has condemned vandals who broke into Holts Community Centre and set fire to an outbuilding in a crime spree that has caused £10,000 worth of...

Date Published 17/12/2025


Police issue appeal following fatal collision on Asda car park in Shaw

Greater Manchester Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are appealing for information following a fatal collision at around 6.50pm on Thursday night on Greenfield...

Date Published 17/12/2025

Two arrested following early morning raids in Royton

Very early this morning (Thursday), officers from Greater Manchester Police's Challenger unit, alongside the Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) conducted four warrants in Royton.

Date Published 17/12/2025


Oldham poets transform dementia experience into book of warmth and hope 

Two Oldham-based poets have turned friendship, care and lived experience into a poetry book that is raising money for dementia charities and offering comfort to others facing...

Date Published 17/12/2025

Drier and slowly colder as we head into the Christmas period

What a terrible month it’s been for weather so far.

Date Published 17/12/2025


Tram drivers’ strike called off - but 200 bus workers set to walk out

The planned Metrolink drivers’ strike for the weekend and New Year’s Eve has been called off, but 200 bus workers in Greater Manchester are still set to walk out. 

Date Published 16/12/2025

FCHO join forces with GMP to deliver eviction notices

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) joined forces with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to deliver notices seeking the eviction of four customers following their alleged involvement...

Date Published 16/12/2025


Five arrested as part of ongoing Derker drugs probe

Five people were arrested across Oldham this morning as part of Greater Manchester Police's wider Operation Vulcan work tackling drugs supply and criminality in the Derker area.

Date Published 16/12/2025

Plans proposed to turn former Clough Manor hotel into 'multi-service hub'

Elaborate plans could see a former wedding venue in Saddleworth turned into a convenience store, coffee shop, car wash, taxi stand and EV charging centre.

Date Published 16/12/2025


The ‘rescued’ historic building that’s sprouting trees

A historic building in Oldham town centre is sprouting trees just months after it was ‘rescued’ through a compulsory purchase order by Oldham Council. 

Date Published 16/12/2025

Festive charity afternoon tea brings smiles, songs and Christmas cheer

The Annual Team Hill Charitable Trust Festive Afternoon Tea was a huge success again this year.

Date Published 16/12/2025


A festival rooted in community: 20 years of Christmas cheer at Oldham Parish Church

Oldham Parish Church has long been a symbol of community and acceptance, a role it proudly continues through its annual Christmas Tree Festival, which has now celebrated its 20th...

Date Published 16/12/2025

Plans for more than 70 affordable homes near Fitton Hill set to be given go-ahead

A plan to build more than 70 new affordable homes in Oldham is set to be given the go-ahead later this week.

Date Published 16/12/2025


More than 20 homes planned on open green space in Shaw

More than 20 new homes could soon be built in an idyllic location on the edge of Shaw.

Date Published 11/12/2025

Oldham Poundland store closes

The Poundland store in Oldham town centre closed its doors today (Saturday).

Date Published 11/12/2025


Two more people arrested as police step up patrols in Oldham town centre

Following two separate incidents of violent disorder in Oldham town centre, police officers have secured two more arrests.

Date Published 11/12/2025

‘If you jump into two trams you know what you are doing - I am against protecting fools’

Millions will be spent trying to prevent ‘tram surfing’ following fatalities in recent years - despite opposition from some councillors.

Date Published 11/12/2025


Toy appeal launched for Royal Oldham Hospital

Upturn is determined to ensure there isn’t a little boy or girl who have been forgotten by Santa Claus this Christmas - by launching a toy appeal for the Royal Oldham Hospital’s...

Date Published 11/12/2025

Oldham gran Gillian wins Royal Mail's magical card prize draw

Oldhamer Gillian Thompson has been left “gobsmacked and speechless” after winning Royal Mail’s Magical Card Prize Draw, which celebrates the joy of sending Christmas cards.

Date Published 11/12/2025


Roughyeds humbled to support the plight of Oldham's homeless

Roughyeds' rugby league players and staff linked up with Homeless Aid UK this week to volunteer vital support to the vulnerable in Oldham, ahead of the launch by the government of...

Date Published 11/12/2025

NHS advises the public ahead of resident doctor industrial action next week

NHS Greater Manchester has given advice on how to get care while resident (formerly junior) doctors take planned strike action from 7am next Wednesday (December 17) to 7am on...

Date Published 11/12/2025


Eton Star Academy given green light in Oldham

An Eton-backed secondary school is coming to Oldham, the government has confirmed.

Date Published 11/12/2025

Winners of FCHO’s Budding Neighbourhoods summer gardening competition announced

The winners of First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO)’s Budding Neighbourhoods summer gardening competition 2025 have been announced.

Date Published 10/12/2025


New plans for HMO hotspot in Chadderton slammed as ‘irresponsible’

A HMO has been given the go-ahead by planners despite locals slamming the decision as ‘irresponsible’. 

Date Published 10/12/2025

Rotary helps light up Lydgate

Community champions Saddleworth Rotary Club brought a special glow when they supported the Light Up Lydgate annual event.

Date Published 10/12/2025


Man charged following probe into a series of burglaries across Oldham and Tameside

A man has been charged following an investigation into a series of burglaries across Oldham and Tameside.

Date Published 10/12/2025

College celebrates double WorldSkills UK medal win

Oldham College is celebrating its WorldSkills UK national finalists for 2025  - who included two medallists.

Date Published 10/12/2025


What grooming gang chair announcement means for Oldham as town to be at centre of investigation

Following months of delays and disagreements, the national inquiry into grooming gangs is moving forward. 

Date Published 10/12/2025

Oldham volunteers honoured with royal invitation to Christmas community carol service at Coronation Street

Four local volunteers were among just 100 people from across Greater Manchester to receive a personal invitation from The Royal Foundation at Kensington Palace to attend an...

Date Published 09/12/2025


Oldham theatre brings creative fun to this year's Christmas countdown

Dare To Know theatre is currently bringing Oldham holiday joy with the Oldham Advent Calendar, a festive countdown set to release 25 original performances in the lead up to...

Date Published 09/12/2025

Jude’s epic swimming challenge raises £1,270 for Royal Oldham Hospital’s haematology unit

In an extraordinary show of determination and gratitude, Oldhamer Jude Honeyman has completed a remarkable swimming challenge, raising £1,270 to support NorthCare Charity.

Date Published 09/12/2025


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