Some new measures have now been introduced at one of Greater Manchester’s most popular beauty spots ahead of the summer in attempts to cut the risk of wildfires.
Every year, as the summer sets in and the temperatures start to rise, Dovestone Reservoir often sees people flock to make the most of what the bordering picturesque Peak District landscape has to offer – but this has sadly meant that the area has been hit by several devastating wildfires as of late.
This has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and has destroyed precious habitats.
While a public space protection order may currently be in place to stop any BBQs, campfires, and fireworks from being lit, the RSPB and landowners United Utilities have decided to go one step further this year to prevent catastrophe.
The RSPB has been given a grant by the Nature for Climate fund, and this has allowed for two seasonal fire rangers to be employed at Dovestones, who’s job it will be to help raise awareness of wildfires and their devastating consequences.
Over the summer months, the new fire rangers will patrol Dovestone Reservoir and the Longdendale Valley to watch out for any fires, report what they deem to be suspicious activity, and pick up litter, as well as remind visitors about the public space protection order and the fact BBQs, campfires, and fireworks are all banned from the site.
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Dovestone Reservoir has been hit by several devastating wildfires as of late, including one already in March 2022 / Credit: RSPB Dovestone (via Twitter)
Anyone found to be breaching this order risks a large fine, or even prosecution if their actions lead to a wildfire.
Not only that, but the rangers will also conduct an outreach programme in schools and the local community to help visitors understand what they can do to prevent them.
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.
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“Even a small wildfire can cause a huge amount of damage and destruction to the local environment and wildlife and they also take up significant time and resources for our crews to respond to,” said Jim Willmott – Group Manager for Bury, Oldham and Rochdale at GMFRS.
“I’d like to remind people to protect our moors and never light a barbecue or fire of any kind in the countryside.”
Are you celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this weekend? If you decide to visit our countryside parks and reservoirs, please make sure to keep safe and don’t start fires or take BBQs. Thank you!💚 #BeMoorAware#KeepSafepic.twitter.com/jupqx2DVFi
— United Utilities (@unitedutilities) June 1, 2022
GMP will be carrying out dedicated patrols in the Dovestones area in Greenfield to help raise awareness and deal with any breaches of the order.
Local primary and secondary schools have been given assemblies about the risks of wildfires and how they can be prevented, with a competition taking place for primary school students to design signs for the area telling people about the dangers of fires.
The RSPB is also looking for volunteers to help with fire watch.
“When it comes to wildfire prevention we all have a role to play and no one organisation is doing this single-handedly,” said Miriam Biran – Visitor Experience Manager at the RSPB.
Middleton to receive a cinema and Metrolink as part of regeneration plans
Thomas Melia
Greater Manchester town Middleton is about to undergo a huge facelift thanks to a new regeneration project, including a new cinema and Metrolink tram station.
Middleton is one of many bustling communities that make up the borough of Rochdale, and with these new plans, the town might receive a fair few new visitors who want to know what it’s all about.
The Greater Manchester town is undergoing a huge transformation with regeneration plans confirming that Middleton will receive a brand new cinema complex along with an extended Metrolink line as part of the Bee Network expansion covering this area.
This is all thanks to Middleton teaming up with the Mayor to launch the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which pushes forward regeneration plans for the town and future ideas.
Middleton Shopping Centre right in the heart of the town centre.Middleton Town Centre bustling as the markets take place.Credit: Steven Haslington (via Geograph)/@Rept0n1x (via Flickr)
The MDC considers lots of aspects of the town and even aims to create new homes and improve surrounding public spaces.
Middleton regeneration plans have been floated previously, but complications arose due to a lack of land and available funding, which ultimately brought these foundations to a halt.
Now it seems the green light has been lifted and Middleton is about to get a whole new facelift, which will not only improve the town economically but aesthetically too, along with the wider Rochdale region.
For many Middletonians, the idea of a cinema may have felt like a distant memory, with their last big screen location shutting down just over a decade ago.
This all-new high street regeneration will not only bring an array of shopping favourites back to the town centre but also the long-awaited return of a local cinema. Most importantly, the plans also include a slate of new housing, with an estimated 300 apartments set to be created in one building alone.
Early CGIs of the proposed Middleton regeneration plans.Grade II-listed Warwick Mill looks set to be turned into flats.Credit: Publicity Picture (supplied)
This all falls in line with the ‘Atom Valley scheme‘, which has been commissioned in order to generate over 20,000 job opportunities for people in Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.
The scheme also mentions how it aims to bring a combined economic boost of around £1 billion to these previously mentioned areas.
Rochdale Borough Council leader, Neil Emmott, said: “The development of 1.2 million square metres of employment space around the junction 19 area will help to generate 20,000 high-quality jobs and bring a £1 billion economic boost.”
Featured Image — Publicity Pictures (supplied via Rochdale Borough Council)
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Scouting For Girls announce stacked UK tour with Manchester date
Thomas Melia
British boyband Scouting For Girls are heading out on an extensive UK tour with dates up and down the country, including right here in Manchester.
If the first thing that pops into your mind when you read this headline is “I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know how we’ll make it through this”, then you’re on the right side of history.
Nearly 20 years since their single ‘She’s So Lovely’ reached catastrophic heights and had everyone putting on their best Roy Stride accent, Scouting For Girls are heading back on the road.
This UK tour announcement comes two years after their last project, The Place We Used To Meet, reached our ears and was coined by the band as “Our best work since our debut”.
It’s been 18 years since this Brit trio captivated our hearts with their eponymous debut album, which sold over one million copies and went number one on the UK official charts for two weeks.
Whether you know them for ‘Heartbeat’ or ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’, it’s clear to say this band had their fair share of smash hit singles throughout the noughties.
This tour, however, celebrates the sophomore follow-up: Everybody Wants To Be On TV, which went on to continue their legacy and secure them their only number one, ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’, back in 2010.
Now, the boys are treating UK fans to an array of live performances, and if you can’t make one date, fear not because there are 20 different locations for you to choose from.
The group will also be playing the likes of Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and a whole host of other Northern cities, so you have plenty of chances to catch them.
If you can’t wait all the way until March 2026 for your next Scouting For Girls fix, lead singer Stride has his own cameo account where you can get the star to read out a message or even sing you a song: “‘Michaela Strachan’ in full, please?…”
Scouting For Girls are coming to O2 Apollo in Manchester on 21 March 2026, with tickets going on sale next Friday, 2 May at 10am HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd June 2022 
