The Woodland Trust is pleading with the Greater Manchester public not to light fires on the region’s moorland this summer.
Nine of the UK’s biggest woodland charity’s sites have been blighted by fire in 2021 alone – with one fire-ravaged moorland area in the borough of Bolton still in the process of recovering.
Many may remember that in the summer of 2018, a toxic mix of a fire coupled with droughts, swept through the moorland at Smithills near Bolton, wiping out whole ecosystems, displacing rare birds such as the curlew, damaging a third of the 1,700 hectare site, and destroying around 2,000 trees.
It took 42 days for the fire service and the Woodland Trust to bring the blaze under control, with the recovery still ongoing and costs now said to be rising above the £1 million mark.
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Now, with the summer holidays beginning for many in Greater Manchester this week and the potential for prolonged periods of dry spells still forecast to come, the Woodland Trust says the risk of wildfires has significantly increased.
“Our sites are a wonderful place to visit with so much diversity,” said Al Crosby – the Woodland Trust’s Regional Director for northern England.
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“We of course want people to enjoy them but also to take care of them… It’s all about recognising what’s special about these places, and how visitors can show their love for them and help us to keep them that way.”
He continued: “Our key message is to people – help us to protect the precious woods and wildlife near you.
“Please don’t light fires. It poses untold risk to people and wildlife [and] even if people think they are in control one minute, it can soon change and the effects can be absolutely catastrophic.”
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BBQs and small fires on moorland can easily get out of control and rip through the countryside fast / Credit: Pixahive
The Trust warns that BBQs and small fires on moorland and woodland can easily get out of control and rip through the countryside fast – damaging everything in their path.
It’s these kinds of fires that cause “untold damage” to habitats by wiping out wildlife and forcing nesting birds to flee.
Some of this devastation takes “decades to recover”, the Trust warns.
Featured Image – Geograph (Mick Garratt)
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Council calls on public to suggest names for new public square in Stretford
Emily Sergeant
The Greater Manchester public is being called on to help name a brand-new public square in the heart of Stretford.
Could we have another ‘Boaty McBoatface’ on our hands? As far as public naming competitions go, the comical suggestion for the name of a new RMS ship back in 2016 – which was then given to a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) instead – will probably always lead the way as the most well-known entrant.
But now, it’s Greater Manchester‘s turn to give it a go and get creative with their naming suggestions, as Trafford Council inviting the local community to name a brand-new public square that’s set to open in the heart of Stretford next year.
Connecting the newly restored King Street and Pinnington Lane, Trafford Council says the new public square will play “a key part in the transformation of the area” and be a “focal point” for the area – with lots of greenery, seating areas, and spaces to “meet, rest and play” and host events too.
📣Naming the brand new public square in Stretford 🧱
Teaming up with @TraffordCouncil x @Bruntwood_UK, the Stretford town centre team are inviting the Stretford community to name the brand new public square that is set to open next year.
Residents are being encouraged to “put their imprint on the Square” by putting forward their suggestions for its name.
All the entries will be condensed into a shortlist and the public will then vote on their favourite.
With the naming competition fully underway, Trafford residents now have the opportunity to talk to the Stretford town centre team, get creative, and post entries into the voting box that’ll be in place in Stretford Mall up until Sunday 19 May, as well as submit their ideas via the Stretford town centre website.
To come up with their names suggestions, the Council wants residents to take inspiration from these three themes:
Heritage – celebrating the fascinating history embedded into Stretford’s identity
Culture – showcasing the rich and vibrant cultural tapestry that defines the essence of the town and its residents
Community – reflecting the strong sense of unity among Stretford’s residents, making the town a welcoming place to live, work, and socialise.
After submissions are closed, the Stretford town centre forum will then decide on three entries that “best represent the area” and have made best use of the inspiration topics to go to the public vote for the final decision.
A town centre polling station will be open for residents to cast their votes in person, or they can do so online via both a Google form or a range of social media polls.
The public vote will officially close on Sunday 16 June, and the unveiling ceremony will take place at The StretFest on Saturday 6 July, where the winner and name of the new public square will be announced.
Fancy shooting a suggestion then? Find out more on the Stretford Town Centre website here.
Featured Image – STC / Bruntwood
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Manchester-born Lord of the Rings and Titanic actor Bernard Hill dies aged 79
Danny Jones
Manchester actor, best known for roles in Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Shirley Valentine and more, has sadly died at the age of 79.
Born in Blackley near the River Irk, historically part of Lancashire, the familiar British face who often popped up in Hollywood too famously played Théoden, the King of Rohan, in the original trilogy of fantasy films as well as Captain Edward Smith in Titanic.
His death was announced by his agent Lou Coulson via the BBC, who confirmed that he passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A statement from his family is expected soon and tributes are already pouring in online.
It’s with great sadness that I note the death of Bernard Hill. We worked together in John Paul George Ringo and Bert, Willy Russell marvellous show 1974-1975. A really marvellous actor. It was a privilege to have crossed paths with him. RIP Benny x#bernardhillpic.twitter.com/UPVDCo3ut8
Some images bring back a glut of memories and emotions. There are times when it feels like we are all just a pay day away from this. Surely one of the most powerful tv performances ever.
Hill studied at what is now the Manchester School of Theatre, formerly known as the Polytechnic School of Theatre and also went on to appear in the much-loved BBC drama by Alan Bleasdale, Boys from the Blackstuff, back in 1982.
Playing the character of Yosser Hughes – best-known for the line “gizza a job” – the show went on to be awarded a BAFTA for best drama series in 1983 and was ranked as the seventh best TV show ever made on a 2000 round-up by the British Film Institute
He was also due for a big return to TV screens in series two of another BBC hit, The Responder starring Martin Freeman, which begins airing at 9pm this Sunday.