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.
New Grove Inn will be adapted so pups can enjoy a relaxing and anxiety-free Bonfire Night away from the loud bangs of any fireworks / Credit: Pixnio | New Grove Inn
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.
Greater Manchester cinemas to screen family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films, and some new releases, all throughout this upcoming spring holidays.
The best bit? Prices start from a massively-affordable £2.50 a ticket.
With Easter right around the corner, and schools across Greater Manchester set to be on their spring holidays in a couple of weeks time, parents and carers will likely be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained while schools are out.
But now it’s time to take care of those film lovers… and also those keen to plan budget-friendly events that also take into account the classic Manchester April showers.
Cinema chain Vue has announced its lineup of family blockbusters showing at venues across Greater Manchester this spring – including Printworks, Lowry, Bolton, Altrincham, and Bury.
Arriving in time for the school holidays, A Minecraft Movie welcomes fans to their favourite cubic wonderland, while the whole family can instead transport themselves into Disney’s reimagining of the 1937 classic Snow White if they’d prefer.
Also returning to the big screen are childhood classics like Wallace & Gromit: Curse of The Were-Rabbit, 20 years after its original release, and the beloved Babe, to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary.
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring / Credit: Disney | Aardman Animations
And as part of Vue’s ‘Mighty Mornings’ offering, film fans can enjoy pre-releases of family-friendly flicks like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Moana 2 every day throughout half term, all from just £2.49 per ticket when booked online.
“A trip to Vue this Easter break is the perfect opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the magic of their favourite big screen characters,” commented Rob Lea, who is the Head of Screen Content at Vue UK & Ireland.
“More than just entertainment, it’s a chance for children and parents to switch off, connect, and create lasting memories together.”
Featured Image – Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)
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Pep Guardiola delivers gutting news as Man City are hit with Erling Haaland injury blow
Danny Jones
Pep Guardiola has passed on some gutting fitness news for Manchester City fans as star striker Erling Haaland is confirmed to be injured for several weeks and could even miss the rest of the Premier League season.
The title might be out of reach this year, and the Champions League knockout against Real Madrid was definitely hard for Blues to take, but with Man City into the semi-finals of the FA Cup, there’s still a very strong chance they could end 2024/25 with a piece of silverware.
However, they’ll have to make it through another two massive rounds at Wembley and seemingly the remainder of the season without Haaland and his goals, as the Catalan coach revealed that the club expects him to be out injured for “six to seven weeks.”
Not exactly how City fans would have wanted to see the rest of an already frustrating season play out.
🗣️ "We don't have another player with his skills."
Relaying diagnosis from the medical team, Pep said the hope is that the big Norwegian number nine could be back for the very tail end of the campaign, but at the very least, he “will be ready for the [FIFA Club] World Cup.”
He went on to add that “these kinds of things happen” and that he feels “sorry” for all of the other injuries that have befell his squad up till now, adding that they can only hope for a speedy recovery and for him to return as soon as possible.
The 24-year-old hasn’t had too many big injury problems in his career thus far, although his longest spell on the sidelines did come at the end of 2023 when a stress fracture kept him out until the new year.
This time around, Haaland suffered an injury to his ankle during the City’s FA Cup win over Bournemouth on Sunday following a challenge from defensive midfielder Lewis Cook.
He was forced in the second half and was seen leaving the Vitality Stadium on crutches after the game.
Erling Haaland seen leaving Bournemouth in a protective boot and crutches. 🤕
Having led the golden boot race for a good chunk of the season – as he’s become accustomed too since he arrived in England – City‘s sub-optimal season has seen him slink into second behind high-flying Mo Salah on 27, but he still has a couple dozen goals and a trio of assists to show for it.
Speaking of Salah, the soon-to-leave ‘Egyptian King’ has been the talisman for Liverpool this season, and his contributions could see them lift the trophy in Arne Slot’s first season as early as 13 April, depending on how fellow title rivals Arsenal fare in their next two matches.
As for how City round out their domestic campaign, reclaiming the FA Cup after last year’s derby disappointment looks like the main goal.
You can watch Pep Guardiola’s press conference ahead of the game against Leicester City at 19:45pm tomorrow (Wednesday, 2 April) in full HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd November 2021 
