Hopwood Radio

Business Appeal: Support Needed to Help Restore Lodge Mill

A growing community effort to restore the historic Lodge Mill is calling on local businesses to lend their support, as organisers continue vital work to preserve and revitalise the site for future generations. Lodge Mill Engine House - Middleton | Image: Hopwood Radio The restoration project has already seen encouraging progress, driven by dedicated volunteers and supporters who are passionate about protecting the area’s heritage. However, to maintain momentum and move into t

Middleton News

Community Call to Action: Middleton, We Need You

There are moments when a community truly shows what it’s made of. This is one of them. Lodge Mill - Middleton | Image: Hopwood Radio Over the past few days, the outpouring of kindness, support, and willingness to step up has been nothing short of incredible. Martin and Paula have been deeply moved by the messages and offers of help from people across Middleton, so much so that it’s brought them to tears more than once. It’s a powerful reminder that even in tough times, commun

Middleton

Community rallies after devastating fire at Lodge Mill in Middleton

There are some places that mean more than bricks and mortar. Lodge Mill in Middleton was one of them. The Engine House - Lodge Mill in Middleton | Image: Hopwood Radio For years, it stood as a symbol of local pride, quietly transforming from a historic mill into something far more meaningful, a place where small businesses grew, friendships formed, and the community came together. But in the early hours of Sunday morning, that story changed in an instant. A devastating fire t

Middleton

Beloved Lodge Mill Falls: Community Left Shocked and Devastated

There are buildings that simply exist, and then there are those that become part of a town’s soul. Today, Middleton lost one of its own Lodge Mill. Lodge Mill - Middleton Demolition | Image: Hopwood Radio The demolition of the historic Lodge Mill has left a deep, aching void across the town. For generations, its red-brick walls did more than shape the skyline, they held the sweat, resilience, and pride of Middleton’s past. Families built their lives around it. Ancestors walke

Middleton

Historic Lodge Mill Gutted by Fire as Investigation Continues

A major fire has left the historic Lodge Mill building severely damaged, with only its outer brick shell still standing in the aftermath. Lodge Mill - Middleton | Image: Hopwood Radio Emergency services were called to the scene following reports of a blaze that tore through the former mill, destroying its internal floors and roof. Images taken after the incident show rows of empty, blackened window frames and exposed brickwork, with large sections of the upper structure missi

Middleton

Hygiene Concerns Mount at Café Zinho in Middleton Shopping Centre

Café Zinho, located in Middleton Shopping Centre, is facing growing scrutiny after a photo submitted by a member of the public highlighted apparent cleanliness issues within its food preparation area a second time in the same Month. Café Zinho, located in Middleton Shopping Centre The image shows a worn and visibly dirty oven glove left on top of a metal fridge or appliance, surrounded by grime and debris. The condition of the surface suggests it has not been properly cleaned

Middleton

Six Fire Engines Tackle Major Blaze at Lodge Mill in Middleton

Emergency services responded to a large fire at Lodge Mill in Middleton in the early hours of Sunday morning, with crews remaining at the scene for several hours as efforts to bring the incident under control continued. Lodge Mill - Middleton | Image: Hopwood Radio Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) was called shortly after 5:48am on Sunday 29 March to reports of a significant blaze at a commercial building on Townley Street. Six fire engines were dispatched,

Middleton

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Hopwood Hall Estate

First Hearing Held in Hopwood Hall Estate Ltd v Rochdale Council Case

The first court hearing between Hopwood Hall Estate Ltd and Rochdale Council took place today at Manchester Civil Justice Centre, marking the opening stage of a legal dispute that is now expected to proceed to a full two-day hearing. The hearing began at approximately 3:15pm and lasted around one hour. The defendant, Rochdale Council, presented its case first, outlining what it described as valid reasons for ongoing delays in correspondence with Mr DePree and his legal repres

HOPWOOD HALL ESTATE

Court Hearing Set in Hopwood Hall Estate Dispute

A court hearing in the ongoing dispute between Mr. DePree and Rochdale Council has been scheduled for Monday, 19 January, at the Manchester Civil Justice Centre. 1 Bridge Street West, Manchester, M60 9DJ The case follows a series of events surrounding the management and future of Hopwood Hall Estate, a Grade II* listed historic property in Rochdale. In 2024, Rochdale Council barred Mr. DePree and a group of volunteers from the estate, citing health and safety concerns. The co

HOPWOOD HALL ESTATE

Hopwood Hall Estate: A Year After Hopwood DePree and Volunteers Lost the "Keys to the Castle"

Today (8th November 2025) has been exactly one year since Mr. DePree and Volunteers lost the "Keys to the Castle" when Rochdale Council assumed full control of Hopwood Hall Estate, citing health and safety violations and Mr. DePree's failure to present a feasible business plan. Hopwood Hall Estate 25/08/2025 | 📷 Hopwood Radio Hopwood Hall Estate was a site of grandeur, celebrations, and a secure venue for community gatherings, all hosted by the Hopwood Family until the two h

HOPWOOD HALL ESTATE

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Greater Manchester Police

Operation Avro in Rochdale Town Centre

Rochdale — Greater Manchester Police’s latest Operation Avro deployment in Rochdale Town Centre has come under scrutiny after a member of the press alleged they were subjected to an unlawful stop-and-search by an officer during the operation. Officer's preparing for #OpAvro | Image: GMP Operation Avro is a high-visibility policing initiative carried out across Greater Manchester boroughs, designed to target crime hotspots through increased patrols, arrests, and community enga

Manchester Police

Corrupt Chief Constable Stephen Watson given Knighthood in Kings Birthday Honours

Chief Constable Stephen Watson the corrupt Cop received a Knighthood in the Kings Birthday Honours on (Friday 13th 2025) Corrupt Chief...

Manchester Police

Greater Manchester Police “TARGET” two Autistic members of the public

GMP Middleton have found themselves in a court battle with two autistic victims after an unlawful and intimidating stop where one of the...

Manchester Police

GMP cop banned from policing after 'repeated' domestic abuse

Abigail Barlow caused 'serious psychological impact' to her victim, a disciplinary hearing was told Former PC 17159 Abigail Barlow A...

Manchester Police

News

Community Call to Action: Middleton, We Need You

There are moments when a community truly shows what it’s made of. This is one of them. Lodge Mill - Middleton | Image: Hopwood Radio Over the past few days, the outpouring of kindness, support, and willingness to step up has been nothing short of incredible. Martin and Paula have been deeply moved by the messages and offers of help from people across Middleton, so much so that it’s brought them to tears more than once. It’s a powerful reminder that even in tough times, commun

Middleton

Community rallies after devastating fire at Lodge Mill in Middleton

There are some places that mean more than bricks and mortar. Lodge Mill in Middleton was one of them. The Engine House - Lodge Mill in Middleton | Image: Hopwood Radio For years, it stood as a symbol of local pride, quietly transforming from a historic mill into something far more meaningful, a place where small businesses grew, friendships formed, and the community came together. But in the early hours of Sunday morning, that story changed in an instant. A devastating fire t

Middleton

Beloved Lodge Mill Falls: Community Left Shocked and Devastated

There are buildings that simply exist, and then there are those that become part of a town’s soul. Today, Middleton lost one of its own Lodge Mill. Lodge Mill - Middleton Demolition | Image: Hopwood Radio The demolition of the historic Lodge Mill has left a deep, aching void across the town. For generations, its red-brick walls did more than shape the skyline, they held the sweat, resilience, and pride of Middleton’s past. Families built their lives around it. Ancestors walke

Middleton

Historic Lodge Mill Gutted by Fire as Investigation Continues

A major fire has left the historic Lodge Mill building severely damaged, with only its outer brick shell still standing in the aftermath. Lodge Mill - Middleton | Image: Hopwood Radio Emergency services were called to the scene following reports of a blaze that tore through the former mill, destroying its internal floors and roof. Images taken after the incident show rows of empty, blackened window frames and exposed brickwork, with large sections of the upper structure missi

Middleton

Hygiene Concerns Mount at Café Zinho in Middleton Shopping Centre

Café Zinho, located in Middleton Shopping Centre, is facing growing scrutiny after a photo submitted by a member of the public highlighted apparent cleanliness issues within its food preparation area a second time in the same Month. Café Zinho, located in Middleton Shopping Centre The image shows a worn and visibly dirty oven glove left on top of a metal fridge or appliance, surrounded by grime and debris. The condition of the surface suggests it has not been properly cleaned

Middleton

Six Fire Engines Tackle Major Blaze at Lodge Mill in Middleton

Emergency services responded to a large fire at Lodge Mill in Middleton in the early hours of Sunday morning, with crews remaining at the scene for several hours as efforts to bring the incident under control continued. Lodge Mill - Middleton | Image: Hopwood Radio Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) was called shortly after 5:48am on Sunday 29 March to reports of a significant blaze at a commercial building on Townley Street. Six fire engines were dispatched,

Middleton

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Hopwood Radio

Supporting the Community

Business Appeal: Support Needed to Help Restore Lodge Mill

Middleton News

Community Call to Action: Middleton, We Need You

Community rallies after devastating fire at Lodge Mill in Middleton

Beloved Lodge Mill Falls: Community Left Shocked and Devastated

Historic Lodge Mill Gutted by Fire as Investigation Continues

Hygiene Concerns Mount at Café Zinho in Middleton Shopping Centre

Six Fire Engines Tackle Major Blaze at Lodge Mill in Middleton

Hopwood Hall Estate

First Hearing Held in Hopwood Hall Estate Ltd v Rochdale Council Case

Court Hearing Set in Hopwood Hall Estate Dispute

Hopwood Hall Estate: A Year After Hopwood DePree and Volunteers Lost the "Keys to the Castle"

Greater Manchester Police

Operation Avro in Rochdale Town Centre

Corrupt Chief Constable Stephen Watson given Knighthood in Kings Birthday Honours

Greater Manchester Police “TARGET” two Autistic members of the public

GMP cop banned from policing after 'repeated' domestic abuse

News

Community Call to Action: Middleton, We Need You

Community rallies after devastating fire at Lodge Mill in Middleton

Beloved Lodge Mill Falls: Community Left Shocked and Devastated

Historic Lodge Mill Gutted by Fire as Investigation Continues

Hygiene Concerns Mount at Café Zinho in Middleton Shopping Centre

Six Fire Engines Tackle Major Blaze at Lodge Mill in Middleton

Community Call to Action: Middleton, We Need You

Community rallies after devastating fire at Lodge Mill in Middleton

Beloved Lodge Mill Falls: Community Left Shocked and Devastated

Local History

Local Weather

St Leonards Church

Oldest Church in Middleton dating to September 1412

Hopwood Hall Estate

Grade II* historic house in Middleton, Manchester

Old Boars Head

late 16th century half-timbered building

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