The land surrounding Dovestone Reservoir has been devastated by another moorland fire over the weekend as the region basked in unseasonably warm weather.
The RSPB has said that the popular beauty spot, which is on the very outskirts of Oldham, will take ‘many years to recover properly’ following the blaze.
An area of woodland at Dovestone that was planted by local volunteers has been left with significant damage.
The RSPB will now spend weeks working with volunteers again to replant the affected landscape.
North West Fire Control said it had been ‘very busy’ across the region during the spring heatwave this weekend.
There were 20 separate wildfires this weekend alone, and 48 in total so far in 2022.
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Dave Swallow from the National Fire Chiefs Council said on Twitter: “Dead vegetation combined with dry easterly winds increase the risk of fire and make fighting these fires difficult. Please be careful when out in our countryside.”
Visitors are once again being urged not to bring any type of barbecue equipment into the countryside, which is often the cause of these devastating fires.
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Sad to report yet more fire damage at Dove Stone this time an area of woodland planted by local volunteers. Thanks to our Fire Ranger for calling it in & Fire & Rescue for putting it out. We will work with volunteers to replant this area over the coming weeks @unitedutilitiespic.twitter.com/NcqPNXuerm
“The simpler structure means it is less good at slowing overland water flow (and therefore reducing flood risk), less good at storing carbon into the soil, and less good at supporting biodiversity. It’ll take many years to recover properly.
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“Without swift action from Fire & Rescue this could of course have been much, much worse!”
They later wrote: “Lots of visitors enjoying the chilly sun today with fab picnics instead of BBQs which is great to see as there is no risk of these setting the moors alight.
“Also notice folk using bins and taking litter home. Thank you!”
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
Daisy Jackson -
21st March 2022 
