The emotional moment a popular local train driver finished the last journey of his career before retirement has been caught on video.
After 52 years of driving trains right across Greater Manchester and beyond, 69-year-old Joe Crean pulled into Manchester Piccadilly station for the final time last week, and was was greeted by a PA announcement congratulating him on his outstanding service and thanking him for his many years of hard work.
The “legend” TransPennine Express (TPE) driver from Glossop was also given a hero’s welcome as he was met by the applause and well-wishes of his friends, family, and fellow rail workers.
The moment Joe Crean finished his last train driver after 52 years / Credit: TPE
Joe’s career on the railway began all the way back in 1971 as a steward in the dining car for British Rail, but after lots of encouragement from his colleagues, he then went on to apply to become a train driver and took on the role of trainee driver in April 1975.
After five years of training and working as a driver’s assistant, Joe was able to become a fully-fledged qualified driver in June 1980.
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It was in 2011 that Joe joined TPE as a driver based at Manchester Piccadilly, and during his time with the company, also went on to spend several years as a driver instructor helping to train up the next generation of drivers.
Joe pulled into Manchester Piccadilly station for the final time last week / Credit: TPE
“I have over half a century of cherished memories on the railway, and it means a lot to have shared my final journey with both my family and my railway family,” Joe said as his last shift came to an end.
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Now that he’s closed the door on his rail career, Joe says he’s looking forward to spending some more time with his wife Christine, and sons Gary and Shane, as well as his extended family, and hopes to travel and take some time to relax on holiday.
Aside from that, Joe says he wants to nurture his hobbies more as he loves walking and spending time outdoors.
— TransPennine Express (@TPExpressTrains) May 10, 2023
He also hopes to watch his local team, Glossop North End, and volunteer to help out at the club too.
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Speaking at the end of Joe’s last shift, Matthew Golton – Managing Director at TPE – said: “Joe is amongst the rare few who have achieved the 50-year milestone on the railway, and he has lit up Manchester Piccadilly depot with his humour, hard work, loyalty, and diligence.
“Joe’s retirement marks the end of an era but his legacy and contributions towards the future generation of drivers will carry on.
“He has been a credit to TPE, and will be sorely missed.”
Featured Image – TPE
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Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets this Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks season.
Bonfire Night may be loved by us humans for the spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that come along with it… but sadly, the November holiday isn’t quite so fun for our four-legged friends.
Loud bangs, flashing lights, and unpleasant strong smell of spent explosives are just some of the reasons why fireworks are frightening to pets.
Not only that, but with multiple bangs occurring from numerous displays across this time of year, pets are rarely able to pinpoint when and where the booming explosions are coming from, therefore creating even more anxiety around this time of year.
Classic FM will play calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks / Credit: DESIGNECOLOGIST (via Unsplash)
Which is why, for the ninth year running now, Classic FM is once again teaming up with the RSPCA for two Pet Classics programmes packed with ‘the most soothing and comforting classical music’.
The music has been handpicked to help calm and settle any anxious pets.
A survey by the RSPCA revealed that almost two-thirds (63%) of animal owners reported their pet was distressed during fireworks season, and that playing relaxing music was the most common way (36%) to help calm or prepare their animal.
Presenters Dan Walker, Aled Jones, and Dawn O’Porter will each host a night of the specially created programme to help keep the nation’s pets calm through the whizzes and bangs.
Dan will present the first programme on Bonfire Night itself (Thursday 5 November), and then as celebrations continue throughout the weekend, Aled will be on hand to bring some peace to Friday 6 November, and Dawn picks up the baton on Saturday 7 November.
All three Pet Classics programmes will be broadcast from 5pm to 10pm, and you can listen on Classic FM or Global Player available across the UK.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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What is the UK’s national dish? New survey reveals Brits’ pick in landslide victory
Emily Sergeant
If you’ve ever thought to Google the question ‘what is Britain’s national dish?’, then you probably came away thinking it’s chicken tikka masala.
But is that actually the truth? A new survey has disproved the claim, massively.
There’s no denying that chicken tikka masala – an Indian curry that’s actually widely thought to have been created in Britain – is a popular dish that’s loved by many, but despite what many headlines have claimed over the years, a new YouGov survey has revealed it’s not what Brits consider to be the country’s ‘national dish’.
YouGov conducted two online surveys earlier this month, made up of 2,079 and 2,104 adults aged 18+ living in Great Britain.
And, in their own words, Brits chose fish and chips as the country’s national dish, making it the ‘resounding’ winner with 49% of the vote.
What is the UK’s national dish? A new survey has revealed Brits’ pick in a landslide victory / Credit: The Manc Group
With nearly half of the overall vote, this puts fish and chips far ahead of the roast dinner in second place, which only 24% of people picked – including the 6% who made sure to specify a beef roast.
In fact, only 3% of Brits actually name chicken tikka masala as the UK’s national dish, although 52% in the survey did confess that they eat some form of curry at least once a month, so it is still a popular pick regardless.
Fish and chips is by far the most common answer across all generations too, according to the survey (45-50%), with the biggest difference between age groups being that 18-24 year olds are less likely to have nominated roast dinner and more likely to have chosen chicken tikka masala instead.
What do Brits say is the UK’s national dish?
Fish and chips – 49%
Roast dinner – 24%
Chicken tikka masala – 3%
Curry (non-specific) – 2%
Full English breakfast – 2%
Bangers and mash – 1%
Cottage or shepherd’s pie – 1%
Other – 3%
Don’t know – 15%
The survey also showed that, of the three top contenders for the UK’s national dish, roast dinners are the most frequently eaten, as 52% of people said they eat them on a monthly basis – including 16% who do so every week.
Aside from the frequently mentioned dishes, some survey respondents also gave shoutouts to the full English breakfast (2%), bangers and mash (1%), and cottage or shepherd’s pie (1%).
Emily Sergeant -
17th May 2023 
