Over 50 firefighters from fire crews across the region were called out at around 11pm on Monday 11 July to reports of a woodland fire on Bank Lane in Greenfield, Oldham near to Dovestone Reservoir – one of the area’s most popular beauty spots.
10 fire engines from stations across Greater Manchester were present at the scene, and worked throughout the night to bring the blaze under control.
GMFRS said at the time that the blaze involved “four large seats of fire”.
Fire crews used hose reels and lighting to bring the blaze under control, GMFRS said, and once the worst of the blaze had now been extinguished, crews remained at the scene to dampen down the affected area.
A fire investigation team also began working to establish the cause of the fire.
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10 Fire crews have been tackling a large fire overnight at Dovestones Reservoir, Specialist off-road vehicles and wildfire equipment are in use to contain the fire and bring it under control. Firefighters have been in attendance for around 6 hours. @manchesterfirepic.twitter.com/1TMLXHgcNz
And now, coming up to four days after the blaze has been put out, GMFRS Area Manager Ben Levy has issued a statement to confirm that due to fact that the blaze involved multiple separate fires, the fire service believes this “points towards deliberate fire-setting”.
He added: “We are now treating this as an investigation with Greater Manchester Police and if anybody’s got any information, please do call Crimestoppers.”
The large blaze came after new measures were introduced at the Dovestone Reservoir ahead of the summer in attempts to cut the risk of wildfires.
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A public space protection order is currently in place at the beauty spot to stop any BBQs, campfires, and fireworks from being lit, and two new seasonal fire rangers have been employed with the job of helping to raise awareness of wildfires and their devastating consequences.
Oldham Council, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMRFS), and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are all working alongside the RSPB and United Utilities to protect the moorland over the next few months as the wildfire risk increases, and just like the rangers, one of the main things they will be doing is making sure people are aware of the public space protection order in place.
Featured Image – GMFRS
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
15th July 2022 
