Hundreds of bus services cancelled
TRAVELLERS using Rochdale bus station have been left frustrated, with some having to resort to using taxis after a bus operator cancelled hundreds of services last week.
But for many, this latest week of chaos is nothing out of the ordinary for what they call Greater Manchester’s ‘poor’ bus network.
Bus operator Rosso axed 837 services between April 25 and May 1, with more cancellations on the way.
The operator put these cancellations down to ‘staff shortages’, impacting passengers in Rochdale, as well as Oldham, Bury, and Bolton.
On Friday (April 29), the crisis meant there were no peak time afternoon services on the B2 service to Bury or the R9 Rochdale to Foxholes route. There were also no evening services after 7pm on the 480 from Bury to Greenmount, the B2 Bury service, on the B4 Heywood service, the R9 Rochdale route or the R10 from Rochdale to Shaw.
Meanwhile, other services, including the 467 and 468, were slashed in frequency from every 30 minutes to every 90 minutes.
Speaking to travellers at Rochdale bus station, many were unaware of the raft of ongoing cancellations, but ‘unreliable’ and ‘late’ was a common feeling among those waiting for services.
Doreen Wightman travels regularly between Rochdale and her home in Syke. The 78-year-old said the service is timetabled to run hourly, and is a bus route used by many pensioners to get to Rochdale Infirmary and into the town centre.
“There’s been a few times recently where it just hasn’t turned up, and when you ask staff why they just shrug,” she said, hoping the bus she was waiting for would be on time. “When the bus does arrive on time everyone lets out a cheer!
“The people who can have resorted to walking 10 or so minutes to catch the Accrington bus as it’s more frequent and reliable. But there’s a lot of pensioners around me who rely on this Syke bus but it feels very lucky for one to come on time, if at all.
“You’d think with it going to the hospital, more effort would be put in to keep it running and on time. I waited with a woman last week who had oxygen with her relying on the bus to get to the hospital but it never arrived. She wouldn’t be able to walk to another route.
“Last week I had to get a taxi a few times as I had shopping on me. A few of my neighbours were here too so we all got in one together.
“Last week I spent at least £20 getting taxis because the bus never arrived. I’ve got a bus pass so shouldn’t be spending money on taxis, especially with everything costing more these days.”
Another man from Littleborough told us he rarely comes into Rochdale and instead gets the train into Manchester as it’s much more reliable.
“I didn’t know there’d been any cancellations,” he said, “but the buses just aren’t very good are they?
“I think they’ve been like this for so long that people are just used to a poor service. They should be a lot more accessible.”
Thirty-year-old James uses the bus to get into Rochdale from Bury regularly for work. Some of his journeys had been cancelled but he didn’t think this was particularly out of the ordinary.
“It seems to be always late or cancelled,” he said. “There’s quite a few busses that go between Bury and Rochdale, so you never wait too long, but some of the routes take ages. It only takes about 20 minutes to drive but can take over an hour on the bus, which doesn’t seem right.”
Transport for Greater Manchester ( TFGM) said they are working with Rosso to ‘mitigate’ impact on passengers and ensuring school services were given priority.
They were also looking to subcontract some routes to other providers, while social and digital channels are updating Rosso passengers on what to expect.
In March, a judge ruled that the process by which mayor Andy Burnham had made a decision on bus reform was legal - paving the way for sweeping changes to how services are run in Greater Manchester, with a public ownership model meaning leaders are in control of timetables and fares, with services franchised to operators.
Transport bosses are currently waiting to see if operator Rotala will appeal this decision.
On Tuesday, Stephen Rhodes, customer director and interim head of bus services at Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM), said Rosso was experiencing ‘significant operational difficulties’.
He added: “This has included many subsidised services, which run in areas and at times where there is a lack of alternatives, meaning the impact is being most keenly felt on those most reliant on them.
“We are working with the operator to prioritise these routes as well as school bus services to minimise the impact on the local community as best as possible.
The situation is changing on a daily basis, and I’d encourage passengers to check with the operator to ensure they have the latest information before travelling.”
On Tuesday, a spokesman said they had operated ‘at least 80 per cent’ of their journeys last week, adding: “Which we apologise to our customers for - this falls far from our usual standards. It indicates the strength of the challenge our industry faces in terms of recruitment.
“All public transport operators are impacted by this right across the UK, but the difference here is that whilst most operators have reduced timetables in the past few months, we made attempts to increase; this is why the problem is more pronounced.
“The issues are in spite of our best efforts, including an increase to drivers’ wages by 20pc in the last 18 months.
“We expect the problem will have severely diminished by next week with a target back to 100pc coverage and are working alongside our sister companies, TFGM and other operators to overcome this very shortterm issue over the space of a 10 day period.
“We are updating customers in real time with live departure tracking and disruptions published on the Transdev Go app and at rossobus.co.uk.”
TRINITY METHODISTS
“OPEN, Lord, my inward ear and bid my heart rejoice; bid my quiet spirit hear your comfortable voice; never in the whirlwind found, or where earthquakes rock the place, still and silent is the sound, the whisper of your grace.”
The Trinity folk will gather together seeking to hear the whisper of God’s grace as they meet this Sunday morning at 10.30am, when John Fidler will lead the service.
ROCHDALE UNITARIANS
HERE are the Sunday service dates for Rochdale Unitarians in May.
All services begin at 10.30am.
May 1 - led by Graeme Pilbrough.
May 8 - led by Karyl Cross.
May 15 - Church Anniversary; a special service led by the Rev Abi Elliott- Mcguffie.
May 22 - led by the Rev Helen Mills.
May 29 - led by the Rev Abi Elliott- Mcguffie.
There will be tea, coffee and the opportunity to chat and meet friends after the end of worship.
You are warmly invited to join us - let no one be a stranger here!
ST LUKE’S, DEEPLISH
ST Luke’s Church, Deeplish, will hold a Holy Communion service on May 8 at 10am.
Monday, May 9, 11am, is Bible Study via Zoom, when we will be studying the book of
Hebrews.
Wednesday, May 11, 11am, is the Morning Praise service on Zoom and 2pm is Scrabble Club, open to beginners or experienced players who want to have a couple of hours of friendly social chat and a game of scrabble.
No need to book, just turn up.
Thursday, May 12, 10am, is Zumba.
You need to book, please contact Catherine. szymanskyj2@ yourtrustrochdale. com or ring 07814 712 271.
We look forward to welcoming our regular members and anyone who would like to join our very friendly, caring congregation.
For further information please see our webpage on www. rochdaleonline. co. uk/ sites/ saint- luke- church
ST ANDREW’S, DEARNLEY
A LIGHT lunch every Thursday is back on the menu at St Andrew’s following a break during the pandemic.
It’s already up and running and it will take place in the Parish Room at the back of Church each Thursday after the said Midweek Eucharist, starting at 10.30am.
It will be followed by fun and games, providing an opportunity for anyone and everyone to enjoy a lunch made for them and then to socialise and chat with others.
Regular church- goers have been asked to spread news of our weekly lunches’ return to friends, family, neighbours and workmates. All are welcome. You don’t have to be a St Andrew’s regular.
You don’t even have to come to the Thursday church service.
We welcome everyone for Thursday lunch and socialising; the more the merrier.
If you are thinking about it, ring Janice on 07730 367 919 and she’ll tell you all you want to know, including what’s on the menu.
Also new for the summer is our Family Service, which will be held every Wednesday after school.
That applies to every school in the area, but we are thinking particularly of our own day school, St Andrew’s C of E Primary, which is situated nearby.
Refreshments will be served in church from 3.45pm to children and parents and then, starting at 4pm, we’ll have an activity- themed service.
It will be designed for children and will last no more than approximately half an hour.
So that’s every Wednesday after school for the Family Service and every Thursday for lunch and socialising after the 10.30am Midweek Eucharist.
Talking of school, we touched last week on the Rev Rachel’s annual report for 2021 and it is interesting to know more about the extent of work she and others do in trying to involve children in the life of the Church.
She wrote in the annual report: “Our schools work continued with activities which were designed to get back to normal ( after the lockdown).
“We hosted Year 6 leavers’ services in July for ( the children of ) St James’s and St Andrew’s Schools.
“Assemblies restarted in September and I started a lunchtime prayer group at St Andrew’s.
“Five reception classes visited church in October, including children from Kentmere and three classes came to explore Advent and Christmas in December.
“We hosted several Nativity concerts for St Andrew’s with parents in attendance.
“Thank-you to those who continue to be involved with our schools; Cynthia Giles and Kirsten Rutherford as Foundation Governors, the Rev Anne (until August) and David Johnson as Trustees and Ashley Dearnley as a member of Watergrove Trust with me.”
Please note that the Rev Anne, our curate back then, is now doing a great job as Vicar of Rochdale, in charge of several churches in the town. The Rev Rachel went on: “A special thank you to Cynthia ( Giles) for helping with all the class visits from St Andrew’s and for her continued support of the school.
“Sadly, we were unable to have further activities in church, so there were no holiday clubs either.
“Sunday School was provided as required; we need to review our provision in 2022.”
On a different theme, and to give you plenty of notice, we will celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on June 4, from 2pm, when we will be joined by Delph Band and a choir from the Littleborough branch of the University of the Third Age.
Christine, one of our wardens, conducts that choir and helps out generally with music.
See you in church tomorrow, Sunday morning, at 9.30am.
ST CHAD’S AND ST MARY IN THE BAUM
ST Chad’s, on Sparrow Hill, overlooking the town centre and the historic Town Hall, has been Rochdale’s Parish Church for over 800 years.
Together with our sister church, St Mary in the Baum, we provide largely traditional forms of Anglican worship and you are warmly welcome to join us on Sundays.
Last Saturday, April 30, “A Service for Ukraine” was held at St Chad’s, led by the Bishop of Middleton, the Rt Rev Mark Davies, who gave the address.
Prayers were read by the Vicar of Rochdale, the Rev Anne Gilbert; the Rev Fr Benjamin Lysykanech and the Area Dean, the Rev Canon Karen Smeeton.
The St Chad’s choir sang the anthem “Crucem Tuam”, by Taize:
“Crucem tuam adoramus Domine Resurrectionem tuam Laudamus Domine. Laudamus et glorificamus Resurrectionem tuam Laudamus Domine. “We worship your cross, O Lord Your Resurrection We praise the Lord We praise and glorify.” The Rev Fr Darren Quinlan read from John’s Gospel: “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love ... This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends... You did not choose me but I chose you... I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”
John Rutter’s “Song for Ukraine” was played and Canon Smeeton and Fr Lysykanech, as representatives of two churches standing together, lit a candle from the paschal candle “as a sign of the hope of resurrection”.
Larisa Killoran read a Ukrainian poem by Solomiya, and prayers for peace were read by
Natalie Killoran and Protopresbyter Bohdan Matwijczuk.
The Lord’s Prayer was sung in Ukrainian and recited in English, whilst the hymns were “Be thou my guardian and my guide”; “Jesus lives! thy terrors now can, O Death, no more appall us”; and “Make me a channel of your peace”.
There were contributions from Michael Bidney, who read “Poem Ukraine”, by Robert Street; Maria Bdzola, who read the poem “It makes no difference to me”, by Taras Shevchenko and Lucy Killoran, who read letters to children in Ukraine.
In attendance were the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Ian Sandiford DL; MPS Sir Tony Lloyd and Chris Clarkson and the Mayor of Rochdale and local councillors.
Tomorrow, Sunday, May 8, is the 4th Sunday of Easter.
Mattins, with hymns, is at St Mary’s at 9.15am, and Choral Mattins at St Chad’s at 11.15am, when the anthem is “Now the green blade riseth ( arranged by Lindley).
On Wednesday next, May 11, at St Mary’s at 12.30pm, the Toad Lane Lunchtime Concert features the soprano Jessica Hope. Admission is £ 6. Sunday next, May 15, is the 5th Sunday of Easter.
Holy Communion ( BCP), with hymns, is at St Mary’s at 9.15am and Choral Eucharist at St Chad’s at 11.15am.
The Vicar, the Rev Anne Gilbert, will celebrate and preach at both services.
HEBRON PENTECOSTAL
SUNDAY, 11am is the morning service, and 1pm is the Nepalese service.
Cafe is open after the service.
Monday, 9.30am, is ‘ Peek a Boo’ Parent, Carers Baby’s & Toddler Group.
Friday, 10am, is Breakfast Club, 5pm is Power Pack kids club, 7pm is Youth Group and 8pm is the Prayer meeting.
Saturday, June 11, is the International Celebration. Join us for an afternoon of international cuisine, music and dance; organiser Joel Sekiwu.
Saturday, June 18, is the free Father’s Day event, with barbecue and workshops.
If you would like more information on any of the above events, contact us at info@ hebronrochdale. co. uk or visit our website at www. hebron pentecostal church@.co.uk
Love and serve God, Love and serve people, Share God with people.
ST MARY’S, BALDERSTONE
TOMORROW, at our
10.30am service we’ll be continuing our look at the book of John in our ‘ fix our eyes on Jesus’ sermon series.
This week we’re in chapter 10, verses 22- 42.
Sunday School will be available.
There are groups for children aged four- 11.
Light refreshments are served after the service.
All are welcome tomorrow evening at our weekly prayer gathering, together with Christ Church and St Saviour’s between 6.30pm and
7.30pm. We’ll be praying for our church, our communities and for the wider world.
We are hosting this week.
If you can’t come in person, you have the option of joining in via Zoom.
If you require the Zoom meeting details, please contact us via Facebook or see one of the wardens.
SMURFS (St Mary’s Under Fives) meet on Tuesday afternoon
1.30pm-3pm in the parish room for stay and play fun.
There is a small charge of £ 1 for one adult with one child and an extra 30p each for extra children.
New members are welcome.
There will be singing, story time and lots of playing, as well as some healthy snacks for the children and some tea and coffee for the adults.
“A Passion for Life: Intentionally Bible Driven”- Small Group Bible Studies. There are two groups meeting - Wednesday evening,
7.20pm-9pm, in the building or via Zoom or Thursday evening, also
7.20pm-9pm, via Zoom only.
If you’ve never tried a group like this before, why not come along, or join by Zoom, just once for a taster session and see how you find it?
For further information, if you have any concerns or prayer requests get in touch by email at stmarys balderstone@gmail.com or see our Facebook page on www.facebook. com/ saintmarysbalderstone/
BEECH HOUSE SCHOOL
AS part of Bounce Back & Grow, a wider project funded by Public Health England and managed by Rochdale Council, we had the pleasure of having two sessions for our Upper Prep students.
The sessions were led by Lianne Lees from Nature Ed.
The aims of these visits were to provide fun interactive experiences for our students and to help develop their gardening, growing and communication skills which, in turn, will have a positive effect on both mental and physical health.
Week 1: Students made their own Kokedama, which means moss ball in Japanese, Japan’s answer to a hanging basket, using ivy, as they have enormous value to wildlife and give continuous colour through the seasons.
Growing ivy around our homes also improves air quality as the plant traps particulates.
Week 2: Students followed steps to make an easy self-watering recycled milk jug as a planter. Students first learnt about the benefits of lavender then they decorated their individual pots and planted the herbs to take home.
Congratulations go to Harriet Whitbread who achieved a distinction in her Grade 2 singing.
Saad Ali, Yussuf Hussain, Aishah Qamar, Yumna Rana, Gabriella Richmond and Molly Woodworth have been awarded their Bronze
Merit. Eesa Siddiqui has achieved his Ruby award.
Maryam Sohail earned her Green Rainbow award, whilst Harlen Smith and Hassan Farooq received their Yellow awards.
The House Point totals this week are: Neptune 28, Saturn 15, Jupiter 11 and Mercury 5.
Spellers of the Week are: Noah Hartley, Avalee Sullivan-manders and Evie Wallett.
Pupil of the Week Certificates were awarded to: Nursery – Aminah Bhutta, Reception – Eleanor Ndlovu, Year 1 – Haris Mahmood, Year 2 – Aleem Khan, Year 3 – Maha Afzal and Year 6 – Sarah Khan.
SPOTLAND PRIMARY
CONGRATULATIONS to the children who received certificates for ‘Best start to the new term.’
They were Ayana FS2J, Amelia and Yousaf FS2P, Sophia 1J, Aizah and Hania 1H, Lola 2N, Hajra 2B, Zainab 3R, Muhammad Shahzeb 3L, Maliha 4B, Grace 4S, Shumaiza 5K, Zara 5A, Noor and Wahab 6H and Mohammed 6W.
The Punctuality Awards went to 2B, 4S and 6H.
The Best Attendance Awards went to FS2J, 4S and 5A.
The Best Attendance and Punctuality Award went to 4S. The Tidy Class Award went to 6W.
The Mr Happy Apple was won by Success in 5A.
The ‘Big Thank You’ was read by Zainab in 2B. We enjoyed singing ‘School Rules,’ chosen by 3R.
The winning team was Red with 4 points, followed by Blue with 3 points, Green with 2 points and Yellow with 1 point.
Congratulations to Mrs Syddall (4S) and her husband on the birth of their daughter, Penny, over the Easter holiday.
We look forward to meeting Penny.
Well done to the pupils in 3L; they have taken part in an intensive swimming course at Rochdale Leisure Centre this week.
The children have worked hard and have shown improvement in their swimming skills.
Settle down with the beverage of your choice and toast the great and good of British TV. Yes, it's time for the to take place, and although productions were hit by ongoing Covid-19-related conditions, it's still safe to say that 2021 provided viewers with some amazing programmes, performances and moments. While production teams have often needed to be inventive to guarantee that rules and regulations were observed at all times, Bafta itself has undergone some changes, including increasing the number of nominees in certain categories, ensuring diversity is recognised and rewarding eco-friendly working practices. “The television industry has continued to innovate and creatively thrive during the challenges of the last year,” explains Sara Putt, deputy chair of Bafta and chair of the Bafta Television Committee. “TV has once again proven its unique value in keeping audiences entertained and informed. “Each year we consult with the industry and review our rules and eligibility criteria to ensure our awards not only reflect an evolving global industry but also help drive positive change.” Although the majority of the winners are chosen by Bafta members, the Must-see Moment is voted for by the public, with clips from An Audience with Adele, I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, It's a Sin, Rupaul's Drag Race UK, Squid Game and Strictly Come Dancing all in the running. “We are delighted to be revealing the six moments which truly showcase the very best and mosttalked about programmes of 2021, demonstrating what Bafta is about: excellence and inspiration,” says Putt. “I am so excited to see what the public choose to be their
Must-see Moment winner, in what is sure to be a close contest.” Some trophies have already been given out during the Bafta TV Craft Awards ceremony, which was presented by Mel Giedroyc a fortnight ago, but the main event takes place this evening at London's Royal Festival Hall, where Richard Ayoade takes charge of the proceedings. Shows expected to do well include It's A Sin, Russell T Davies' mini-series about a group of friends confronted by the Aids crisis in the 1980s. It's up for six awards this evening, including nods for cast members Olly Alexander, Lydia West, David Carlyle, Omari Douglas and Callum Scott Howells.
The Dengineers. (R) Blue Peter. (R) Britain’s Best Young Artist. (R) Deadly Predators. (R) Wonders of the Moon. (R)
Spring: Earth’s Seasonal Secrets. (R) The Great British Sewing Bee. (R) Live Women’s Challenge Cup. St Helens v Leeds Rhinos (Kick-off 12.00pm).
Into the Woods. (2014) Meryl Streep: Talking Pictures. (R) Live Challenge Cup Rugby League. Huddersfield Giants v Hull Kingston Rovers (Kick-off 5.00pm).
Clara Amfo presents from London’s Roundhouse as the 10 finalists compete for the title, performing their own solos and also premiering duets and trios.