News
Fire crews had to respond to more than 400 incidents in Greater Manchester over bonfire weekend
It was subsequently named "one of the busiest weekends of the year".
Fire crews had to respond to more than 400 incidents in Greater Manchester over this past bonfire weekend.
It was subsequently named “one of the busiest weekends of the year”.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said in a statement on its website that North West Fire Control (NWFC) received 701 calls between 5pm on Friday 5 November and 8am on Monday 8 November, and that GMFRS responded to 431 incidents – which is a significant increase from last year, when firefighters attended 276 incidents.
While firefighters worked hard to keep the public safe, unfortunately some crews came under attack.
“Our firefighters did a brilliant job keeping the public safe during bonfire celebrations this weekend [and] I’d like to thank all staff and emergency services involved for working hard over a busy weekend,” said Dave Russel, Chief Fire Officer at GMFRS.
“Unfortunately, while attending some incidents, crews were met with physical or verbal abuse [and] I have heard personally from colleagues the shocking incidents that took place.
“Thankfully, no one was hurt, however I would like to remind the public that this behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“Attacking emergency service workers is also a criminal offence.”
Just before 6pm on Friday 5 November, crews attended an incident in Oldham on Arundel Street and were subject to an attack, and then later that evening just after 11pm, firefighters from Blackley were attacked with fireworks on Ash Tree Road, and alongside that, fireworks were also thrown at a fire engine when attending an incident in Manchester on Atlantic Walk at approximately 9pm on Friday – but thankfully, no one was hurt during any of the incidents.
Other incidents attended over the weekend included deliberate wheelie bin fires, and bonfires on parks and public land, GMFRS revealed.
“GMFRS, alongside Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service and North West Fire Control did a fantastic job keeping Greater Manchester communities safe, particularly during this busy period of the year,” said Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.
“I would like to thank the public for following the firework safety advice from the Bang Out of Order campaign and supporting the emergency services so they can help keep people safe – however, hearing that some crews and police were subject to attacks with fireworks is unacceptable.
“Our emergency workers work hard every day keeping the public safe and should not have to deal with abuse.”
Featured Image – GMFRS | Pixabay
News
Former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson is heading to Manchester on a new world tour
Daisy Jackson
Ex-One Direction star Louis Tomlinson will perform a huge gig in Manchester next year as part of a newly-announced world tour.
The singer-songwriter will be heading to the Co-op Live arena with his ‘How Did We Get Here?’ tour in 2026.
The 33-year-old star, formerly one-fifth of hit boyband One Direction, announced the news hot on the heels of the release of his latest single Lemonade.
Doncaster-born Louis Tomlinson will visit UK cities including Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow, Brighton and London, as well as that massive show in Manchester.
Louis continues to establish himself as one of the UK’s top live performers, with hits like Back to You, Just Hold On, and fan-favourite tracks from his critically acclaimed albums.
He launched himself as a solo artist back in 2020 with Walls, shifting more than 1.2 million copies worldwide and amassing nearly 1 billion streams.
He then went on to release Faith In The Future in 2022 (a chart-topping album in the UK and top five in the US).
This new world tour will showcase his evolution from global pop superstar to respected solo artist.
Louis Tomlinson will perform at the Co-op Live arena on Friday 24 April, 2026.
Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday 10 October HERE.
Louis Tomlinson UK and Ireland 2026 tour dates
- Fri 24 April – Co-op Live, Manchester
- Sat 25 April – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
- Mon 27 April – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
- Tues 28 April- First Direct Arena, Leeds
- Thurs 30 April – 3Arena, Dublin
- Sat 2 May – The Brighton Centre, Brighton
- Sun 3 May – The O2, London
Read more
Featured image: Publicity Picture
News
Heaton Park announces the death of another one of its beloved resident donkeys
Emily Sergeant
Another one of Heaton Park’s beloved resident donkeys has sadly passed away, the park has announced this week.
Back in May of this year, Heaton Park shared the devastating news that one of its well-known resident donkeys called Lenny had been diagnosed with an endocrine disease, and would therefore have to start undergoing specialist medical treatment moving forward.
The treatment Lenny would be receiving was to support his health during his retirement, as not long prior to his diagnosis, he had reached approximately 30 years of age.
Considering that The Donkey Sanctuary says the average life expectancy for a donkey is just over 30, reaching this age was said to be a ‘significant achievement’ for Lenny and everyone who cared for him.
Sadly though, as the months went on, things started taking a turn for the worse.
Heaton Park‘s Estates Team requested an onsite vet visit after identifying some changes with Lenny’s health, and these changes were subsequently linked to a condition called hyperlipaemia.
It’s with ‘great sadness’ that the park had to announce to the public that Lenny passed away later that same day.
“Lenny was a staple in Heaton Park and was a significant star in the memories of both staff and our visitors, he will be deeply missed by us all,” the Estates Team said in a touching tribute shared on the park’s social media.
Lenny’s passing unfortunately comes not long after the death of one of Heaton Park’s post well-known resident donkeys, Ralph, who died in early June of this year at the grand old age of 40 years old – with many tributes being paid to him.
Following both Lenny and Ralph’s deaths, the Estates Team has assured visitors that the remaining two resident donkeys, Bonnie and Josh, are ‘doing well’ and are being ‘monitored closely’
Bonnie and Josh are being monitored closely for ‘any changes in behaviour which could indicate stress’ as a result of Lenny’s unexpected passing, as the Estates Team says that visitors may notice them on ‘a few extra walks’ around the park over the coming weeks.
Read more:
Visitors are asked to ‘say hello’ to Bonnie and Josh if they see them on a walk around the park over the next couple of weeks.
Many tributes to Lenny have been flooding in on Facebook.
Featured Image – Heaton Park & Hall (via Facebook)
