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• Local muralist celebrates industrial heritage diversity across the borough

  Mon 29 Sep 2025

  Ex pupil Amy transforms local spaces into vibrant landmarks.

   

  For full article click link below.

   

  https://www.rochvalleyradio.com/news/local-news/amy-callaghans-street-art-brings-colour-culture-and-community-pride-to-rossendale/

  

• Savannah's Stock Car Racing Story

  Fri 12 Sep 2025

  Savannah Montgomery-Brown took victory in Holland on August 17, just months after a serious crash left her in hospital and destroyed her car.

   

  Click the link to read full article.

   

  https://https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/25461443.teenage-stock-car-racer-celebrates-first-ever-win/

  

• Talented 12 year old wins place at top dance school

  Wed 16 Jul 2025 Catherine Smyth

  A young dancer has been chosen for an elite training programme after impressing judges with her creative moves.

   

  Twelve-year-old Charlotte Zampach has been picked to join a top dance training scheme at The Lowry Theatre in Salford. She was one of the youngest selected for the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT), a programme that supports young people who want a career in dance.

   

  Please click here to access the full article

   

   

  

• 'You've got a friend in me' as Whitworth wind band hits new high with over 40 players from across the school community

  Fri 20 Jun 2025 Catherine Smyth / David Murphy

  More than 40 students, staff and former pupils are making music together every week at Whitworth Community High School, as the school's wind band grows from strength to strength. 

   

  A passion for performance is echoing through the halls of Whitworth Community High School, where a thriving wind band now boasts over 40 musicians, including teachers, former students and even the headteacher.

   

  For the full article please click here 

   

   

  

• Young footballer from Rochdale shines in international tournament as she dreams of Lioness future

  Thu 19 Jun 2025 Catherine Smyth/ David Murphy

   

  Anastasia Kopczyk, who plays as an attacking midfielder for Shawside Football Club U13's Girls was part of the team that travelled to Spain for the four day international youth tournament.

   

  Competing against teams from Iceland, France, Ireland, Norway, Scotland and across England, Anastasia played a key role in her team's campaign, scoring a free-kick goal against a tough Icelandic side.

   

  For the full article please click here.

   

  

• Young Whitworth rugby talent aims for professional dream after international tour

  Fri 06 Jun 2025 Catherine Smyth

  A teenage rugby player from Whitworth is aiming to be scouted by a professional club after impressing during an overseas tour with his Saddleworth Rangers teammates.

   

  Jack Ashworth, 15, has played rugby since the age of five and is now hoping to turn his passion into a career. The Whitworth Community High School pupil currently plays second row for Saddleworth Rangers U15s and recently returned from a week long trip to Spain and France with the squad.

   

  For the full article please click here 

  

• Students land top honour from the town mayor

  Mon 02 Jun 2025 Catherine Smyth

  Two students from Whitworth Community High School won top honours from the Mayor of Whitworth.

   

  Young entrepreneur Leo Pilling, whose car valeting business enabled him to pay for his own school sporting trip to Lisbon and Harrison Wright from year 9, won his award for his outstanding contribution to boxing.

   

  Please click here for the full article

  

• School teams triumph in championship finals

  Mon 02 Jun 2025 Catherine Smyth

  Thanks to very generous businesses, high school football teams across Rossendale enjoyed their own Champions Finals complete with trophies and medals. 

   

  Head of PE at Whitworth Community High School Will Cawley said: " Last year we set up our own Rossendale Premiership and Championship football leagues for high school students..."

   

  For the full article please click here 

  

• Whitworth Muay Thai boxer fundraiser launched for World Championships

  Tue 06 May 2025 Catherine Smyth

  A fundraising page has been set up to help a Muay Thai boxer cover the costs of representing Team GB in the World Championships in Italy in October. Harris Ashman, 15, from Whitworth, has been Thai boxing since he was seven at Valley Thai Boxing Club which is run by coach Andy Hughes.

   

  In March, along with 16 other members of the club, Harris became a World Champion at the 20th World Muay Thai Championship in Bangkok, Thailand. The team came back with a haul of gold, silver and bronze medals and that led them to compete on April 12, in the Sandee Fight Series Intercontinental Open at Barnsley Metrodome against the best UK fighters.

   

  Click here for the full article.

  

• Boy, 14, who 'had free time' earns £1.3k in four months

  Tue 25 Mar 2025 Catherine Smyth

  A teenage boy who had free time and didn't want to be 'doing nothing' has started his own business and earned £1.3k in four months. Whitworth Community High School student Leo Pilling, 14, is now spending his weekends valeting and detailing cars at his parents’ homes in Whitworth, and business is booming.

   

  The unassuming Year 10 student set up LP Valets in Whitworth just before Christmas, and he was so successful he was able to pay the £999 for his school sporting trip to Lisbon.

   

  For the full article please click here