Countless people across the UK gathered in their back gardens and at their living room windows last night to watch as Manchester and various other areas across the country were hit with a somewhat surreal ‘silent lightning’ storm after a week or so of sun and muggy heat.
Captured on camera by countless Mancs — ourselves included — we were all hoping to record the perfect moment the lightning strike was followed by the ever-satisfying thunderclap, but it wasn’t to be as each bolt that appeared in the illuminated skies remained completely silent.
Strange but very cool.
Here’s how it looked as the fascinating meteorological phenomenon backlit the moody-looking clouds around Deansgate, Castlefield and various other parts of Greater Manchester.
The reactions online ranged from ‘crazy’ and ‘creepy’ to ‘biblical’.
Understandably, many were left scratching their heads at the confusing scenes as we all know first comes the lightning, then comes the thunder. Nevertheless, it was not the case on Sunday night (10 September) and after a quick Google search, we soon found out why.
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Lightning without thunder is a unique weather event often called ‘heat lightning‘, as it occurs more frequently during the summer, but it isn’t actually silent, as such.
It isn’t actually caused by the heat itself as the name would suggest; heat lightning is essentially referred to as such because the storm itself is actually much further away but since light travels much faster than sound, people can still see the effect of the lightning bolts.
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The flashes themselves are created by lightning bolts from thunderstorms that are roughly ten miles or more away and since the sky is often much clearer on hot summer nights, you can still see the so-called ‘silent lightning’ without hearing the usual thunder — lucky for all our lovely pets.
The silent storm came after what felt like an eternity of humid days, sweaty sleeps and wearing next to nothing whenever possible as we tried to stay cool in a rather uncomfortable heatwave that decided to arrive towards the back end of an otherwise disappointing summer.
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It just wouldn’t be Britain without waiting for the sun to arrive and then moaning the second it gets too hot.
The heat lightning isn’t the only unusual bit of weather we’ve had recently, either, as last week people were surprised to see their cars suddenly covered in dirt for some reason.
Who else woke up like 'AAHHHHHH JUST CLEANED MY CAR' this morning? 🙃 https://t.co/CL1c9WM0vj
Featured Image — The Manc Group/mcrjh.pix (via Instagram)
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Beloved local comedian Justin Moorhouse pays touching tribute to son Barney
Daisy Jackson
Justin Moorhouse has shared a touching tribute to his son, after announcing over the weekend that Barney had passed away.
The much-loved Tameside comedian wrote that the family are ‘besides themselves with grief’, before later sharing some of his favourite memories of his son, who was in his 20s.
Justin Moorhouse, who starred in Phoenix Nights and just recently performed at the Manchester Opera House on his ‘The Greatest Performance of My Life’ tour, described his son as ‘the sweetest, kindest soul’.
He wrote that Barney ‘just went to sleep and didn’t wake up’.
Following the heartbreaking news, Justin shared three of his fondest memories with his son, including a Flaming Lips gig in Leeds, Bleachers at the O2 Ritz in Manchester, and a trip to the US.
He wrote: “Some of my favourite memories of Barney are music gigs. I am so lucky to have enjoyed loads of stuff he did and obviously hates loads too!
“Luckily, he didn’t think I was too awkward to hang out with at gigs… How lucky I’ve been to have him.”
On Saturday, Justin Moorhouse shared: “It is with the heaviest of hearts I have to tell you our beautiful boy Barney has passed away. Me, his mum and step mum, his sister, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and his gorgeous friends are besides ourselves with grief.
“I am consoling myself as much as I can knowing that he loved us all and knew we loved him.
“He was so happy, content and excited about the future. The sweetest, kindest soul.
“He just went to sleep and didn’t wake up.
“I can’t imagine how the next days and weeks will unfold but I know we are able to cope – love always helps.
“I am him and he is me. Sleep tight Barney. Dad x
“Appreciate your kindness and sensitivity towards the family at this time.”
Government officially approves Eton’s plan to ‘remove barriers’ and open new FREE college in Oldham
Emily Sergeant
Eton’s plans to open a new free college in Oldham will officially go ahead following Government approval this week.
In case you need bringing up to speed a bit, plans for three new post-16 colleges – with the other two being in Dudley and Middlesborough – that are designed to help give young people who’ve done well in their GCSEs the opportunity to achieve the A-Levels they need to go to Oxbridge and other elite universities across the world were first announced back in March 2022, and then given the green light in August 2023.
Eton has partnered with Star Academies – which is said to be the highest-performing state school trust in the country – for the new colleges.
The colleges will aim to recruit ‘dynamic young people from deprived communities’, including in Oldham, and provide them with a ‘rigorous and rounded education’ that supports their ambitions to achieve places at ‘the very best universities’.
Oldham Council has welcomed the news that the new college – set to be named Eton Star Oldham – will go ahead, after the Government confirmed the conclusion of its national review into the proposals.
The decision means that Oldham will become one of the first places in the country to offer this new education model that combines high standards with strong partnerships and expanded opportunities for local young people.
The Government has officially approved Eton’s plan to open a new free college in Oldham / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Approval means pupils from every background will soon have access to the ‘very best’ opportunities.
Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Coucil, said this is ‘great news’ for Oldham, adding: “Eton Star Oldham will give our young people access to life-changing opportunities, no matter their background or where they start in life.
“We have been clear throughout that this must be a college shaped with our young people, our parents and our communities.
“Now that the Government has confirmed it will go ahead, we will work closely with Eton College and Star Academies to make sure this delivers for Oldham’s children and opens doors for generations to come.”
Danny Jones -
11th September 2023 
