Greater Manchester firefighters were seen lining the streets in what was a poignant tribute to their late colleague.
Following the funeral of Daniel Lee held yesterday, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has shared a collection of moving photos from the service – which shows many of his colleagues lining the streets with their heads bowed as procession passed, and acting as pallbearers during the service itself.
Fire engines displaying floral tributes from loving family members also formed part of the procession.
Daniel ‘Dan’ Lee was a Watch Manager at GMFRS, and served the communities of Greater Manchester for over 16 years before he sadly passed away back in August.
Today we said goodbye to our colleague and friend Watch Manager Dan Lee. Staff members joined family and friends for a funeral service to honour Dan, who served the communities of Greater Manchester for 16 years 💔 pic.twitter.com/s9NOodZv5t
— Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) September 21, 2022
In a tribute to the dedicated firefighter shared on social media, GMFRS said: “Today we said goodbye to our colleague and friend Watch Manager Dan Lee.
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“Staff members joined family and friends for a funeral service to honour Dan, who served the communities of Greater Manchester for 16 years.
“Dan, a former Royal Marine, was based at Agecroft Fire Station on Green Watch and was also the Service’s lead Air Unit pilot. He had worked across many different departments. He was known for being keen to learn, a good listener and communicator, and for his sense of humour.
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“Dan’s family and colleagues are very grateful to the public for their kind wishes following his sad death, and would like to thank everyone who generously donated to a fundraiser set up by his friends.
“RIP Dan.”
Greater Manchester firefighters were seen lining the streets in what was a poignant tribute to their late colleague / Credit: GMFRS
Daniel Lee went missing in the early hours after a night out with friends.
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The 41-year-old Watch Manager was last seen walking along St Mary’s Parsonage, near Crazy Pedro’s, just after 1am on 22 August, and a huge search and rescue effort took place throughout that week – with Tactical Aid Unit, North West Police Underwater Search and Marine Unit officers searching the River Irwell close to where Dan went missing.
GMP’s statement said at the time: “We’ve sadly found the body of a man in the search for Daniel Lee from Salford. He was last seen in the early hours of Monday morning after a night out with friends in Manchester. His family have been informed and request privacy at this time.”
Fire engines displaying floral tributes from loving family members also formed part of the procession / Credit: GMFRS
GMFRS also shared a tribute to the “popular and valued” colleague at the time.
Dave Russel – Chief Fire Officer – said: “Everyone at GMFRS is shocked and deeply saddened by the untimely death of our colleague Watch Manager Dan Lee.
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“Our thoughts are with Dan’s family and friends, as they have been over the past few days as the search for him has taken place. This is a tragic end to a very difficult week and not the outcome we all so desperately hoped for.
“On behalf of GMFRS, I want to thank Greater Manchester Police for their efforts in the search for Dan, as well as colleagues across GMFRS and residents and partners from across our city region who have supported the search.
“Dan will be greatly missed.”
Featured Image – GMFRS
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Manchester’s firework displays are ‘back with a bang’ as they return from 2026
Emily Sergeant
Council-organised firework displays in Manchester’s parks are set to return from next year, it has been confirmed.
You may remember that these once-popular events have not been held since 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic initially prevented them from taking place from 2020 onwards, and then following that, they remained paused on a trial basis while the Manchester City Council sought to ‘reprioritise funding’ to support a wider range of free community events across the city.
But now, as it seems, the door was never shut on their potential return.
An ‘improved financial position’ now means that the Council is in a position to bring firework events back, while also still continuing to support other community events.
Papers setting out the Council’s financial position show that fairer funding being introduced by the Government next year will leave the Council better off than previously anticipated, he the reason firework displays have been brought back into the mix.
The Council has admitted that ‘pressures remain’ after so many years of financial cuts, but this new funding creates the opportunity to invest in the things residents have said matter the most to them.
“Manchester prides itself on free community events and we know many people have missed Bonfire night firework spectaculars,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“That’s why we are pleased to confirm they’ll be back by popular demand in 2026.
“We know that generations of Mancunians have enjoyed Council-organised displays and that free family events are a great way to bring people together… [and] now that this Government is actually investing in Councils like ours rather than the cuts we had since 2010, we can bring back Bonfire events.”
Cllr Craig said that the return of Council-organised firework displays is ‘building up for a spectacular 2026.’
More information on their return is set to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – Chris Curry (via Unsplash)
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Super League ‘Rivals Round’ fixtures confirmed, with two big North West clashes
Danny Jones
The Betfred Super League (BSL) ‘Rivals Round’ games for 2026 have been confirmed, with two big regional clashes coming in time for the spring.
Returning for 2026, the annual meeting of multiple teams coming up against their fiercest and most historic rivals will land on round seven of the calendar over the traditional Easter weekend.
Despite the competition having sadly lost Salford Red Devils following their forced relegation, local rugby fans will still be glad to see the borough of Wigan, as well as neighbouring Cheshire and nearby Merseyside clubs, coming up against each other in what is a highly anticipated fixture on the calendar.
Announcing the now fully confirmed matches this week, the total of seven matches are set to be played between Friday, 3 April and the following Sunday, 5 April.
In the Super League’s own words, there are few gameweeks more box office than the Rivals Round – “where the games mean more, hit harder and have the ability to divide towns and families.”
After the inaugural edition of the modern round in 2021, this year saw the division record a best-ever attendance of 86,080 across a six-match period, and with an extra game being played next season, we’re expecting more ground to be broken.
“The most intense and historic rivalries will go head-to-head with huge crowds anticipated, emotions running high and everyone expected to bring their A game”, say the BSL.
Huddersfield Giants v York Knights – Saturday, 4 April
Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity – Sunday, 5 April
One of the most notable exclusions among the slate, of course, is that of Salford Red Devils, as various players and staff members continue to leave the club during this increasingly concerning and deep period of uncertainty.
Salford supporters have given a clear response following the decisive drop in IMG gradings:
Although they are now longer in rugby league’s premier domestic tier, Salford are still expected to take part in the Challenge Cup tournament, which begins in January.
Betfred and the RFL revealed the most recent ties on Monday, 24 November, with the Devils due to face either Royal Navy Rugby or Hammersmith Hills Hoists in the second round.
Meanwhile, with the new campaign kicking off in February, rugby fans will only have to wait a couple of months to witness the upcoming instalments in the various rivalries.
Safe to say it’s going to be a spicy Easter break.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd September 2022 
