Local News
Body of man found
Police have launched a murder investigation after the body of a man was found in Middleton. Just after 1.45pm on Friday 3 February, police were called following reports a man had been assaulted at a house on Lower Bamford Close, Middleton. On arrival, officers discovered the body of a man. He had suffered serious head injuries and the man has not yet been identified. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody for questioning.
Detective Inspector Melani Linton from Rochdale CID said: "Understandably members of the community will be shocked to hear about this incident but I can reassure them we have made two arrests. The investigation still remains in its infancy and we are working on establishing the full circumstances leading up to the man’s death."
Anyone with information should phone the Major Incident Team on 0161 856 9175 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
04.02.12
Rock School rolls into town!
Hot on the heels of TV's Popstars and Pop Idol comes the launch of Middleton's first ever part-time pop school at the Cardinal Langley High School on the morning of Saturday 3rd March 2012.
Owned and operated as a franchise by Martin Davies from Middleton, Clive's Easylearn Pop Music SchoolsTM offers a unique brand of simplified pop and rock music training in guitar, bass, keyboards and drums. The weekly sessions also enable customers to experience the fun of "jamming", singing and dancing together in pop and rock bands right from the very start of their courses.
Network Director Sophie Brooks said, "We've done away with boring theory and made music-making simple, fun and direct. Our Easylearn Courses are unique. Tutors love them because they're easy to teach, and customers love them because they're easy to understand – and over the last two and a half decades they've proved themselves with over 10,000 people!"
Martin Davies has been a musician all his life and has worked with the likes of Elvis Presley's backing singers, members of John Lennon's band who played on his legendary 'Imagine' album, has toured non-stop across Britain and Europe for 26 years and has now been in the legendary Cavern Club's resident merseybeat band The Shakers for the last three years. Martin has noticed that his own daughter has very little musical stimulation through school and outside school and many of her friends feel the same. He says "We hope to change that with this exciting new concept!"
Martin is also creating considerable excitement within the area's community of musicians, with the unique offer of unusual and rewarding part-time jobs for locally talented people who want to train to become tutors at the new pop music school. "Interest from local musicians has been phenomenal," said Martin, who added "I’m looking forward to giving our local musicians the unique chance to supplement their incomes doing something that they will really enjoy!"
The Middleton Clive's Easylearn Pop Music SchoolTM opens at Cardinal Langley High School on Rochdale Road on Saturday March 3rd with free "have a go" sessions throughout the morning. Come and join the fun by booking online at clivesmusic.com or by phoning Martin on 07563914940. You never know, this could be your first step to stardom! Classes will then be held from the following Thursday and each week on Thursday at Cardinal Langley from 6-9pm, each student having an hours lesson a week.
03.02.12
Man who tried to steal cable from pylon pleads guilty
A man who tried to steal cable from a pylon in Middleton has pleaded guilty to attempted theft and damaging property. Desmond Braidy, 43, of no fixed abode caused £100,000 worth of damage while trying to steal a piece of cable worth just £100. He will be sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on 13 February 2012.
After identifying that a series of cable thefts were linked, police worked closely with the National Grid as part of Operation Alloy, Greater Manchester Police's crackdown on metal theft. On 21 August 2011, data readings suggested that a cable had been tampered with on a pylon at Heaton Farm off Heywood Old Road in Middleton. Officers quickly attended the scene and arrested Braidy while he was trying to steal the cable.
Superintendent John Graves of Greater Manchester Police's Rochdale Division said: "Thanks to some sterling work by Sergeant Nick Galgani and his team, we were able to bring this offender to justice. We are continuing to work closely with the National Grid, and officers have now plotted the locations of all pylons and substations in the borough to ensure that any future incidents are rapidly dealt with.
"Metal theft isn't just about criminals targeting electric and telecoms cabling and metal from the rail and tram infrastructures. Thieves also target ordinary people in their homes by stealing copper piping and boilers from heating systems and lead from roofs. These crimes cause misery and hardship for often vulnerable people, and we are targeting metal thieves in scrap yards, on the roads as they transport stolen metals and in the communities where they operate.
"We're also helping scrapyards to introduce measures to detect and deter people offering them stolen metals. These include CCTV surveillance, taking still pictures of all site visitors and training staff to recognise cabling that has been taken from telecoms providers or metal that has been stolen from train and tram networks. New stock recording procedures can also make it easier to identify who metal has been bought from, and all metal offered to yards can be scanned for security marks."
Police are also reminding thieves that the scrap metal they steal may not be worth nearly as much as they think. Earlier this month at least 75 gulley lids were stolen in Heywood and Middleton. They are each worth no more than £5, but criminals think they are worth up to £60. They are therefore going to great lengths, and taking huge risks by tampering with pylons, for relatively low reward. To deter criminals, missing gulley lids are usually replaced with plastic or ductile versions that are virtually worthless as scrap.
To help police put metal thieves behind bars, report any suspicious activity on 101, the new national non-emergency number, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
26.01.12
Armed robbery at service station
Robbers armed with an axe stole cash from a service station in Middleton. At 7.25pm on Tuesday 24 January, two offenders entered Birch Services on the M62 (Westbound) and threatened a member of staff with an axe. They stole cash from the till and escaped in a black Nissan Almera, driven by a third offender.
The cashier was not assaulted by the robbers but was left shaken. One offender is described as white, between 5ft 9in and 6ft tall, of chubby build with a scarf covering his face. Another is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, of skinny build in his early 20s with dark eyes.
Detective Constable Russell Clarke, from Rochdale CID, said: "I am seeking to identify those responsible and ask anybody who was at the service station or has information about those responsible that evening to contact me. Even if you didn't see the robbery but observed anything suspicious or unusual in or around the area at the time I want to hear from you."
Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4621, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
26.01.12
Middleton Musical Society member retires after 60 years
Middleton Musical Society held a party to mark the retirement of its longest serving member on 11th January. Frank Reddish, now 89, joined the Society in 1952 and has performed various roles over the years including Musical Director for a time. Frank, who lives in Alkrington, suffered an illness some years ago that left him hard of hearing which makes singing difficult.
At the party, Secretary Janet Albiston on everyone's behalf said, "Tonight we've all met to celebrate 60 years' membership of Middleton Musical Society by Frank Reddish. Frank joined the society in 1952, persuaded to do so by the current Secretary's mother, who knew he was an accomplished singer. Since then he has held almost every office in MMSoc - Treasurer, Conductor, Chairman and of course, soloist and arranger of music. Were it not for the problems he now has with his hearing he would still be enjoying making music with us today.
"Frank's devotion to the Society is one of the main reasons the Society continues to flourish as it does. He has been unstinting in sharing with us his advice and musicianship. We offer him our great thanks in appreciation of everything he has given us, and raise our glasses to toast him with our best wishes for continued good health."
The Society are currently organising an event at which they will be performing with Middleton Band in April. Current Musical Director, Graham Marshall, will be providing Middletonia with more details on that when they become available.
20.01.12
Beware of bogus workman operating on the Langley estate
A Langley resident has warned people on the estate that a bogus workman is at large after he tried to gain access to her property today claiming to be a worker from Riverside. The man asked to enter the house to check the boiler.
The resident said, "Thankfully my daughter was in at the time and she intervened, telling him that no appointments had been arranged with us, nor any letter received from Riverside informing us of any visit. She told him he couldn't come in until we have a letter confirming this work is being carried out."
The woman's daughter then rang Riverside's head office who confirmed no workmen were currently being sent out by them. They then rang the Langley office who also confirmed that they had not sent anyone round and that they were informing the police.
The man is described as black with a strong African accent, roughly 5'3 to 5'4 and wearing dark trousers, dark jumper, white/grey shirt with top buttons opened and wearing a high visibility jacket typical of maintenance workers. He had very close shaven hair and had some sort of a chain around his neck. He was carrying a black file with plain paper inside.
The resident continued, "I checked with Riverside myself. No workers have been sent round and police have now been informed. I want to warn everyone against letting this man in as I nearly did myself without thinking about it. I dread to think what might have happened if my daughter hadn't been there. The man was quite persistent but seemed agitated by my daughters interference which suggests he may be preying on the elderly or vulnerable."
If you see this man or if he knocks on your door, do not answer and call the police immediately. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity that will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
17.01.12
Robbery at pub
Police are appealing for witnesses after a pub was robbed on Boxing Day. At around 11.20pm on 26 December, staff at The Roebuck pub in Middleton Gardens were closing up for the night, when two men burst in through the back door. The men were armed with crow bars and demanded money from one of the female members of staff. They stole cash and then made off via the rear door onto Factory Road.
Both men are described as white, in their late teens or early twenties. They were of slim build and around 5ft 6in tall. One was wearing light grey Adidas tracksuit bottoms with coloured stripes down the legs, a black Adidas top with the hood up and a pale blue scarf across his face. The second man was wearing black Adidas tracksuit bottoms with coloured stripes down the legs and a black Adidas top. He also wore a pale blue scarf across his face. Both men spoke with Manchester accents.
Detective Constable Amie Darnell from Rochdale CID said: "Although the woman and other members of staff were not injured during this robbery, they have been left understandably distressed by what happened. If anyone was in the Middleton Gardens area on Monday evening around the time of this robbery and you saw these two men, then please give us a call. Your information could be helpful to our investigation and assist us in taking these two men off our streets."
Anyone with information is asked to call police at Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
28.12.11
Man charged following robbery at home of elderly couple
A man is due in Crown Court charged in connection with a robbery at the home of an elderly couple in Middleton. At about 3.30pm on Sunday 13th November, an 86-year-old woman opened the back door of her house on Sedgley Street, Middleton, and was about to collect her washing when two men pushed past her. The pair grabbed the woman's 90-year-old husband, pushed him into the lounge and searched his pockets. They stole cash and the woman’s handbag, containing the couple’s pension money, before leaving (see story below)
A footwear impression was recovered by staff from GMP’s forensic services branch and circulated to officers. During a police visit to an address in Middleton for an unrelated matter, officers noticed footwear that matched the impression left at the house.
Patrick Ward, 43, of Nelson Street, Middleton, has been charged with two counts of robbery and appeared at Rochdale Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 24th November. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Bolton Crown Court on Wednesday 14th December.
25.11.11
Another smash at one of Middleton's worst accident blackspots
A house on Grimshaw Lane was left severely damaged when a car spun out of control in the early hours of Sunday morning. Minutes after the crash, the occupants of the car were seen and heard fleeing the scene. At approximately 3.30am on Sunday 20th November, the silver car, thought to be a Ford Focus, took down the gatepost next to the house before smashing into the front elevation so hard that the interior of the house could be seen through a hole in the brickwork at the impact point beneath one of the front windows. The wrecked car finally drew to a halt in the middle of the road a few doors up.
This is the second accident of its kind in just over two months, after a similar incident occurred just two blocks down the road near the Jumbo Centre on the 12th September. The shocked occupants of the house who were asleep at the time could only stare in disbelief at the aftermath they were left with. The gas meter had narrowly been avoided but the electricity box was damaged and the phone-line down as well as the structural damage to the house.
Neighbours who had called the Emergency Services described how the offenders merely walked right away from the scene. One said, "This was not a stolen vehicle for a change!" Two men and a woman were seen making their get-away on foot. "They just walked away from the carnage they left behind." the resident added.
However, the offenders appear not to have walked away unscathed. After the woman was heard to say, "Look at the state of my car!", one of the men was heard to say words to the effect of, "We can't move it....Come on, let's just go. I'm trying to do you a favour here."
It's unclear exactly what direction they went from there. One of the men was heard saying to the other one, "Your injuries are worse than hers." The extent of those injuries isn't known, nor who was behind the wheel.
The crash is just another in a long list of accidents on the lane over the years, often affecting people's properties. Residents say the road has always been used as a racetrack. One said, "Does somebody have to be killed before they finally do anything about it?"
22.11.11
Bogus workmen warning
Middletonia would like to warn people of bogus workmen operating in the Rochdale area after conmen stole £800 from a pensioner who they claimed needed work on his roof tiles. Although the incident happened in Rochdale, they could be targeting Middleton, too. It happened between 11am and 1pm on 16th November.
The two men are claiming to be from a roofing company called 'Aqua Shield'. The first man was described as being white, about 5ft 10in tall, about 21-22-years-old and with middling to light-coloured hair. He was also wearing a jacket. The second man was white, about 5ft 5in tall, about 27 or 28-years-old and wearing dirty white overalls covered in paint.
The van they were driving was said to be a white Transit van with roofing ladders on top and 'AQUA' in large red letters on the side panel. Anyone who is approached by men purporting to be from this company is advised to call police immediately.
Police Constable Christopher Hickey, from the Volume Crime Unit at Middleton, said: "The culprits are cowards, pure and simple. They have cheated an old, vulnerable man out of his pension money by coming up with a totally bogus story. It must be said they have gone to some lengths to give themselves the air of authenticity and they were very convincing, but theft is theft and these men need to be stopped. I would urge members of our communities and across the North West area to be on their guard and if you see these men or they come knocking on your door, please call us immediately.
"I would also ask residents to keep a close eye if you have elderly neighbours. If you think someone is trying to con them into 'work' on their home, please make sure they do not give any money upfront to these conmen. Always get a signed contract detailing what work will be done and when, and do not give them any cash until work is completed. Everyone we have spoken to about this incident has been rightly appalled and touched at the plight of this man. I want to assure people that with your help, we will pursue every possible lead to ensure we expose these thieves and bring them to justice."
Anyone with information is asked to call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
22.11.11