Bonfire Night is loved all across the UK for the spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that go along with it.
But the November holiday isn’t so fun for our four-legged friends.
Fireworks can be frightening to dogs because of the loud bangs, flashing lights, and unpleasant strong smell of spent explosives, according to dog welfare organisation The Kennel Club, and with multiple bangs occurring from numerous displays, dogs will rarely be able to pinpoint where the booming explosions are coming from.
Not knowing what an explosion is, where it’s coming from, or where and when the next one is going to be, can be terrifying for some dogs.
Recent research by The Kennel Club has shown that eight in 10 (80%) owners notice a change in their dogs behaviour during fireworks season, and nearly half (48%) say that their dogs are scared by them.
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And this is why a dog-friendly pub in Whitefield has decided to this year offer a solution and safe haven for those pups who react badly Bonfire Night.
Jo McDonald – the landlady of the New Grove Inn – is set to adapt her pub for the evening of Friday 5 November so that dog owners and their pups can enjoy a relaxing and anxiety-free Bonfire Night away from the loud bangs of any fireworks.
As well as turning up the music to block out the sound of the fireworks, the Bury New Road pub will also be offering a range of canine treats to distract dogs disturbed by the all the loud bangs and flashing lights outside.
There’ll also be “hotpot for all” humans to tuck into too.
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“Bonfire Night can be lots of fun but sadly not for those dogs who get frightened by all the noise,” Jo told I Love Manchester.
“And since we don’t have the space to host a bonfire, we thought it would be nice to offer an alternative – a place where owners can come out for the evening with their pets and know they won’t get worried or upset by Bonfire Night.
“As well as the music and the treats, the fact that there will be so many people are around will also be a great distraction for dogs.
“We’ve always been a dog-friendly pub, and we want to do that bit more on Bonfire Night.”
“We’ve always been a dog-friendly pub, and we want to do that bit more on Bonfire Night.” / Credit: Facebook (New Grove Inn)
Jo’s own dog – a three-year-old French Bulldog named Groot – will also be on hand on the night to help keep other pet punters company, especially as he doesn’t appear to be too afraid of fireworks.
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“We’re looking forward to… [offering] somewhere for those dogs who’d rather give bonfire night a miss,” Jo concluded.
Non-Firework Night for Dogs at New Grove Inn is free for all on Friday 5 November from 6pm.
Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade
Danny Jones
We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.
Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.
The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.
Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…
Watch as a Manc firefighter turns his passing out ceremony into a surprise proposal.
As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.
You already know the rest.
Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.
Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.
If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.
All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.
Featured Images — Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
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The Chestergate pub in Stockport is at it again with some of the most wonderfully Manc scenes you’ll ever see
Danny Jones
The legendary Chestergate pub in Stockport is back with another belter of a video, following on from their viral belly-flashing clip of 2022.
The Mersey Square boozer has painted yet another quintessentially Northern depiction of UK pub culture with the latest Manc scenes they’ve captured around the karaoke machine.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of stumbling into The Chestergate in Stockport town centre, the long-standing boozer currently operated by publican chain Blind Tiger Inns, you’re seriously missing out.
While it might not be the flashiest of pubs, when it comes to entertainment, it always delivers.
Whether it’s stunts like renaming themselves ‘The Southgate’ whenever the Euros or World Cup rolls around, or the locals just genuinely having a whale of a time no matter what day of the week it is, it really sums up the best of pub culture.
The Chestergate went viral for some of the most British footage ever caught on film back in 2022 and the videos saw a huge wave of love and support flooding in for the pub, as well as a healthy amount of chuckles. Safe to say we were chuffed to see them pop back up on our feed again recently.
Karaoke night at The Chestergate literally never disappoints.
Forget ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ or ‘Champagne Supernova’ for karaoke songs – we’ll take a cacophony of inaudible throwback pop music, whilst another bloke and his hype man try and MC over a totally ill-fitting beat any day of the week.
And that’s handy because you’ll find those kinds of shenanigans happening at this place all the time.
It’s simultaneously one of the most no-nonsense and somehow a non-stop shenanigan-filled paradise. They also look after their own and consider their regulars part of the family. Case and point: they threw their very own ‘Dancing Queen’ Molly a big bash for her 86th birthday and it’s such wholesome viewing.
At this point, it’s worth flagging that we have nothing but envy for these folks and anyone who’s just out there having the time of their lives on any random weeknight.
Yes, it produced plenty of laughs for those watching online in recent times but this lot won’t mind one bit – not only is the pub seeing more and more new faces through the door but that’s the whole point of a pub, isn’t it? Going for a pint with your nearest and dearest and having a laugh.
Not only is it very Manchester but it’s Britain at its very best.
We hope to see you at The Chestergate pub in Stockport for a pint or two sometime soon and we’re making a bit of a prat of ourselves, don’t worry, we’re sure they’ll have the cameras ready for you.