One of Manchester’s most popular green spaces was left strewn with litter after thousands descended to enjoy the sunshine.
As the region was blessed with uncharacteristic warm weather yesterday, with the sun shining and temperates reaching the high teens, people flocked to Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield to make the most of it.
Images of hoards of crowds gathered were seen posted to social media.
Although unconfirmed at this moment in time, police estimated that up to 3,000 people could have gathered there, as the mini heatwave saw crowds continue to grow throughout the day.
After images of both the scenes of the crowds gathering, and the subsequent litter found left behind, emerged this morning, local residents have taken to social media to express their opinions.
Opinions were voiced from a number of perspectives.
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While many pointed out that the gathering of socially-distanced groups is permitted now that up to six people from various households can meet outside, others were not suitably satisfied that necessary restrictions were being stuck to.
One local resident told the MEN that the mess left behind by the sun-seekers was “disgraceful”.
“The top of the hill is covered with litter and even though some people do try to throw their rubbish away, the bins are completely overflowing so they can’t.
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“I am really worried it is going to attract rats.
“I can’t even walk my dog when the weather is nice as there are so many people who are drunk and disorderly and it is frightening”.
Some locals took clean-up of the park into their own hands late last night, with one resident – who is part of the Green Paw Project – taking to the popular Chorlton group on Facebook this morning to share pictures of piles of bin bags and to show the nature of the rubbish left behind following a group litter pick.
Amongst the piles of litter were said to be beer bottles, canisters and disposable BBQs.
The resident said: “After a three hour mission until midnight, we managed clear up a big chunk of the Platt Fields Park mess.
Yesterday’s scenes followed similar events at the park earlier this month during St Patrick’s Day weekend, where Greater Manchester Police issued a warning over large gatherings after “hundreds” of people were pictured at the park in sunny weather.
They reportedly drank alcohol and socialised together.
This incident did however happen before lockdown restrictions were eased and when outdoor mixing was only permitted with your own household, or with one other person for the purposes of exercise.
At the time of the event, Greater Manchester Police said fines were still being handed out to those who break the rules.
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Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Two more people arrested as investigation into Dovestone Reservoir moorland fire continues
Emily Sergeant
Two more people have been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the devastating moorland fire near Dovestone Reservoir.
Yesterday (16 July 2026), a 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson and has been bailed pending further police enquiries, before a man in his 20s has today (17 July) been arrested on suspicion of arson, and remains in custody for questioning.
These follow the arrest and subsequent charging of 20-year-old Shania Care-Slede, from Hyde.
Care-Slede has been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving, and was remanded in custody before appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court this past Tuesday (14 July).
After the blaze broke out this past Saturday evening (11 July) at the popular beauty spot in Oldham, prompting a major multi-agency response, fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have been working around the clock in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies have also been deployed as operations continue across multiple sectors of the incident.
To make matters worse, ‘strong’ winds carried smoke across parts of Greater Manchester – with reports of haze and the smell of burning being received from areas well beyond the immediate vicinity of the fire.
With three major arrests having already now been made, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says its officers are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry and are seeking to identify any other individuals who may have been involved.
“This investigation has been progressing at pace, we are nearly a week on and the fire at Dovestones is still ongoing, and it has had devastating effects it has had on the Reservoir,” commented Detective Inspector Andrew Day, of GMP’s Oldham division said.
“As this incident continues, officers would like to thank all emergency service partners for their support and dedication.
“In particular, our colleagues at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, whose firefighters have spent countless hours tackling the fire in demanding conditions.”
The Manc -
31st March 2021 
