Tributes paid to ‘much-loved’ Manchester firefighter who died unexpectedly last week
Emily Sergeant
Tributes have been paid to a ‘much-loved’ Manchester firefighter who died unexpectedly at his home last week.
Francois Childs, who was better known as ‘Frankie’ to his friends and family, served on Green Watch at Broughton Community Fire Station in Salford, where he had been based since joining Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS) in January 2018.
Frankie joined GMFRS following a career in banking, and serving with the machine gun platoon of the Bury Fusiliers.
But the 44-year-old sadly passed away “suddenly and unexpectedly” at his home in Prestwich last Tuesday (3 September).
The former Army reservist leaves behind wife Sarah, two children, his parents, and three brothers.
We send our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Firefighter Francois ‘Frankie’ Childs, who passed away suddenly yesterday.
Frankie, 44, had been a much-loved member of Green Watch at Broughton fire station for more than six years.
— Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) September 6, 2024
As well as being a dedicated GMFRS firefighter, Frankie was also one of 12 Fire Brigade Union (FBU) members who volunteered their time to travel to France to support the Care 4 Calais Charity back in November of 2023.
Paying tribute to Frankie following his sad passing, Sarah Nattrass, who is the Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Director of Service Delivery at GMFRS, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of one of our colleagues and share our heartfelt condolences with Frankie’s family, friends, and colleagues.
“Frankie was part of our GMFRS family for more than six years as a much-loved member of Green Watch, Broughton, and he will be very sadly missed by all his friends and colleagues.”
The FBU has also paid a touching tribute.
“The charity could not provide this support without dedicated and caring people like Frankie,” an FBU spokesperson said.
“His support will not be forgotten by the FBU or by the many people his efforts undoubtedly helped contributed to making refugees lives better.”
Featured Image – GMFRS
Salford
Ambitious plans unveiled to create a new river path connecting Salford Quays with the city centre
Emily Sergeant
Ambitious plans to connect Salford Quays with the city centre via a new ‘active travel route’ along the River Irwell have been unveiled.
And the Greater Manchester public is now being asked for their thoughts on it.
Salford City Council has been working in partnership with Manchester City Council and Trafford Council on the original ‘Irwell River Park’ scheme since 2008, and since then work on the project has taken place over the years, usually as and when opportunities have arisen.
Some of these works include the improvement of access to green space at Crescent Meadows, a riverside path alongside the Urban Splash development at Springfield Lane, and the refurbishment of Peel Park and the transformation of Riverside at Chapel Wharf – the latter two made possible thanks to securing Heritage Lottery funding.
Another exciting project was the completion of a new riverside space and a pedestrian/cycling footbridge connecting with Aviva Studios, which was finished last year.
Ambitious plans have been unveiled to create a new river path connecting Salford Quays with the city centre / Credit: Salford City Council
Through the ‘Irwell River Park’ scheme, Salford residents have been able to take advantage of an “improved network of accessible paths close to the river” over the last few years, but now, it’s time for a new chapter.
Salford City Council says its ambition has remained to “further deliver projects alongside the river” following completion of the initial works, which is why plans to create a new active travel route between Salford Quays and the city centre have been unveiled this week, ahead of them going to out to public consultation these next two months.
This consultation will focus on a so-called new strategy that has recently been drafted for Irwell River Park, as well as plans to improve access to the river.
The plans have been unveiled ahead of a public consultation later this month / Credit: Salford City Council
Taking place for six weeks, the consultation will both invite feedback from the public via an online survey from Monday 23 September, as well as three in-person drop in sessions in Salford on 8, 10 and 26 October.
“This refreshed strategy for Irwell River Park is so important,” commented Councillor Mike McCusker from Salford City Council.
“It will focus on making the River Irwell attractive, safe, and easily-accessible from surrounding neighbourhoods and by public transport, and also by connecting local neighbourhoods with the rich history, culture, public spaces and parks that surround the river.”
Daisy Jackson -
10th June 2022 
