Bonfire Night is loved all across the UK for the spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that go along with it.
But the November holiday isn’t so fun for our four-legged friends.
Fireworks can be frightening to dogs because of the loud bangs, flashing lights, and unpleasant strong smell of spent explosives, according to dog welfare organisation The Kennel Club, and with multiple bangs occurring from numerous displays, dogs will rarely be able to pinpoint where the booming explosions are coming from.
Not knowing what an explosion is, where it’s coming from, or where and when the next one is going to be, can be terrifying for some dogs.
Recent research by The Kennel Club has shown that eight in 10 (80%) owners notice a change in their dogs behaviour during fireworks season, and nearly half (48%) say that their dogs are scared by them.
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And this is why a dog-friendly pub in Whitefield has decided to this year offer a solution and safe haven for those pups who react badly Bonfire Night.
Jo McDonald – the landlady of the New Grove Inn – is set to adapt her pub for the evening of Friday 5 November so that dog owners and their pups can enjoy a relaxing and anxiety-free Bonfire Night away from the loud bangs of any fireworks.
New Grove Inn will be adapted so pups can enjoy a relaxing and anxiety-free Bonfire Night away from the loud bangs of any fireworks / Credit: Pixnio | New Grove Inn
As well as turning up the music to block out the sound of the fireworks, the Bury New Road pub will also be offering a range of canine treats to distract dogs disturbed by the all the loud bangs and flashing lights outside.
There’ll also be “hotpot for all” humans to tuck into too.
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“Bonfire Night can be lots of fun but sadly not for those dogs who get frightened by all the noise,” Jo told I Love Manchester.
“And since we don’t have the space to host a bonfire, we thought it would be nice to offer an alternative – a place where owners can come out for the evening with their pets and know they won’t get worried or upset by Bonfire Night.
“As well as the music and the treats, the fact that there will be so many people are around will also be a great distraction for dogs.
“We’ve always been a dog-friendly pub, and we want to do that bit more on Bonfire Night.”
“We’ve always been a dog-friendly pub, and we want to do that bit more on Bonfire Night.” / Credit: Facebook (New Grove Inn)
Jo’s own dog – a three-year-old French Bulldog named Groot – will also be on hand on the night to help keep other pet punters company, especially as he doesn’t appear to be too afraid of fireworks.
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“We’re looking forward to… [offering] somewhere for those dogs who’d rather give bonfire night a miss,” Jo concluded.
Non-Firework Night for Dogs at New Grove Inn is free for all on Friday 5 November from 6pm.
Tesco announces MASSIVE recruitment drive for 28,000 extra Christmas staff
Emily Sergeant
Tesco has launched a massive festive recruitment drive, with more than 28,000 temporary roles up for grabs.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British supermarkets having already unveiled their Christmas food and drink ranges for 2025, Tesco is gearing up for what is always one of the busiest times for the year for the retail industry by launching a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drive.
The jobs will mainly involve working in Tesco’s Superstores and Extra stores.
Shifts will either be early morning, day, or evening shifts, so that prospective applicants can find an opportunity that fits around them.
With a wide range of roles available, the tens of thousands of temporary staff across the UK – including here in Greater Manchester – will be tasked with serving customers, restocking shelves, and fulfilling online orders by picking, packing, and delivering.
“With the busy Christmas period ahead, we are looking for people who can bring warmth, enthusiasm, and a helpful service to every shopping trip,” commented Ela Golab, who is Tesco’s Group People Services Director.
Pay starts from £12.64 per hour, and a night premium of an additional £2.35 per hour – with plenty of different flexible shifts available.
“From turkey and mince pies to decorations and crackers, it’s a big job keeping our shelves stocked up for the nation’s celebrations,” Tesco said in a statement on its recruitment website. “That’s why we need you – you’ll help keep our shelves filled and our customers jolly.”
Tesco says ‘no day is ever the same’ and festive colleagues will be able to ‘feel the impact’ they make on every shift, as they send customers home with a smile.
No experience is ‘necessary’ for these temporary roles, Tesco says – just the ‘right attitude’.
Fancy it then? If you’re keen to join Tesco’s teams across the UK this Christmas, then head on over to the supermarket’s recruitment website here to apply, or you can pop into your nearby store for more information.
Featured Image – Tesco plc
Trending
Stockport drop first collection in County Classics retro range
Danny Jones
Stockport County have finally released the first drop in their previously teased ‘County Classics’ retro fashion collection.
The Greater Manchester football club are enjoying a great resurgence of late, currently sitting fourth in the table and unbeaten in League One, not to mention boasting three wins on the bounce; it’s a great time to be a Hatter.
Somewhat secondary, of course, but they’ve also got a great selection of well-received shirts this year, too, with all three of their 2025/26 kits inspired by a precious part of their heritage.
Clearly going down a hit, they’ve decided to double down on the nostalgia factor and reignite the vintage spirit of their famous 1996/97 campaign and THAT legendary home shirt.
Speaking on the release, County said in a club statement: “County Classics isn’t just a product range – it’s a series. A journey through time.
“Each drop will revive another era, another shirt, another story that shaped the club we love. This is more than nostalgia. It’s the heartbeat of County history, reimagined for today.”
We already can’t wait to see which iconic kit they tap into next; our money is on the 91/92 away strip that they paid homage to just last season.
Unsurprisingly, numbers of each piece have been snapped up in a flash, with supporters, rivals and neutrals alike dubbing the casual wear and retro footy shirt reissue everything from “amazing” to “sickeningly cool”, with plenty already asking for a restock.
You get a closer look at the collection in full down below.
Credit: Stockport County FC (supplied)
The retro ’90s style training line has completely sold out already, but there are still towels and bucket hats, as well as some of the retro County kit itself left.
With the ‘Back to 1996’ star priced at £50 and the likes of bucket hats costing just £20, you can expect to see plenty of Stopfordians wearing the new gear at Edgeley Park this season and, indeed, for many years to come.
If these classic football shirts and pieces of lifestyle fashion have tickled your fancy, you can see what they have left and grab your item(s) of choice right HERE.
What old County look would you like to see the club recreate next as part of the Classics range, Hatters?
Emily Sergeant -
2nd November 2021 
