Oldham

CCTV appeal after man slashed in head with machete on canal towpath in terrifying robbery

Another terrifying knifepoint robbery.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 4th November 2022

A man in his 40s has been slashed in the head with a machete by two thugs while travelling along a canal towpath.

Greater Manchester Police have released CCTV images and other information as they try to track down the two ‘distinctive men’ behind the armed robbery.

The 44-year-old male victim had his electric bike stolen, which is said to be unique.

The bike that was stolen
The injury sustained in the attack
One of the men GMP would like to speak to about the machete attack along the canal

He was on the canal footpath near Tesco on Ridgefield Street in Failsworth when the two men set upon him.

The victim suffered ‘significant injury’ to his head caused by a ‘sharp style machete’.

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Detective Sergeant Matt Adshead of the Oldham CID said: “The victim thankfully did not suffer life changing injuries from this terrifying ordeal where he was held at knifepoint for his property before having a blow to the head.

Read more: Teenager arrested after Bolton mum robbed at knifepoint while holding newborn baby

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“After our initial investigation we are now asking the for the help of the local community again to see if they witnessed anything at the time of the incident or recognise the two people we would like to speak to in connection with the incident.”

Any information that may help detectives in their investigation from the public are asked to call the Neighbourhood Crime Team at Oldham Police Station on 0161 856 4521 quoting incident 2642 of 20/10/2022.

Alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Featured image: GMP

Oldham

Police launch investigation after a 19-year-old is stabbed in broad daylight at an Oldham retail park

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A police investigation has been launched after a stabbing in a ‘very public place’ in Oldham yesterday afternoon.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to Alexandra Retail Park in Oldham yesterday afternoon ( Sunday 30 March 2025) at 3:25pm, and when they arrived on the scene, they found that a 19-year-old man had been stabbed.

The victim was taken to hospital with ‘serious injuries’, and GMP assures that he and his family are being supported at this time.

A scene remains in place at the retail park and some of the surrounding areas while the investigation is ongoing, and a large police presence can also been seen too as officers continue to collect evidence and piece together the events of what happened.

No arrests have been made as of yet.

Police also believe the attack to be an ‘isolated incident’ with those involved known to each other, indicating no threat to the wider public.

“We understand this incident is shocking and took place in a very public space,” commented Inspector Andrew Clayton.

“There have been no arrests so far, but enquiries are ongoing to determine who is responsible. At this stage, we do believe the attack to be an isolated incident involving those known to one another.”

Alexandra Retail Park, where the incident occurred yesterday afternoon / Credit: Google Maps

In a bid to gather as much information as possible, a public police appeal has been made.

Inspector Clayton continues: “We have spoken to a number of witnesses so far, but would encourage anyone who believes they have any information or dash cam footage which could assist our investigation, particularly that which may help us identify the perpetrators, to come forward.”

Read more:

Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 1757 of 30/03/25, or by getting in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

Oldham

Farm shops are cool now – and Albion Farm Shop is the best of the best

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Albion Farm Shop's huge breakfasts

At some point in life, your idea of a great day out switches from drinking and clubbing to visiting a farm shop, or a garden centre, or something similarly wholesome.

And up in the hills above Manchester is surely one of the best in the UK – Albion Farm Shop.

This Saddleworth favourite is half-cafe, half-shop, with produce all either grown right outside, or sourced as locally as possible.

And while places like Hollies Farm Shop in Cheshire pull in seriously big, glamorous crowds (maybe it’s the Molly-Mae effect), there’s something much more charming and authentic about Albion Farm Shop.

Maybe it’s the tractors parked outside, the fact the produce section is in a drafty barn, the mismatched shelves and cabinets. It’s not curated like this – it just is.

The food in the cafe itself is up there with the best British grub in the North West, and I say that with my hand on my heart.

Whether it’s a full breakfast spilling over the edge of a plate, sandwiches served in a doorstop of bread, or a full menu of burgers made with British beef cap and smoked bone marrow patties, you can’t steer far wrong.

Rag pudding and a burger at Albion Farm Shop
Rag pudding at Albion Farm Shop
Chips with a side of bone broth gravy.
Chips with a side of bone broth gravy
Those huge burgers
Those huge burgers

There are chunky chips served with a full bowl of bone stock gravy on the side (hello, this is Oldham), onion rings so big you can wear them as a bangle, and big bowls of homemade soup.

And it would be remiss of me not to mention the rag pudding, a traditional dish from this neck of the woods. Famously, she’s not a pretty menu item, but this steamed suet pastry stuffed with braised beef shin is comforting and delicious.

If you want to stick northern fare but don’t fancy rag pudding, you can also grab a wedge of cheese and onion pie, lambs liver with mash, or any number of seasonal specials (for us, it was roast pork).

There are cracking views of the surrounding countryside, a resident cat who’s usually sleeping in the entranceway, and charm packed into every square foot.

Albion Farm Shop is at Oldham Road, Delph, Saddleworth OL3 5RQ.

The resident cat at Albion Farm Shop
The resident cat at Albion Farm Shop
Roast pork in the cafe
Roast pork in the cafe
The Albion Farm Shop cafe
The Albion Farm Shop cafe
Albion Farm Shop
Albion Farm Shop
Inside the shop itself
Inside the shop itself
The produce barn
The produce barn
Local cheeses
Bakery items
The produce barn

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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