Richard Stead

Firefighters tackled a blaze at a suspected illegal waste dump near the River Mersey at the Carrington Spur in Greater Manchester. The site contained mattresses, appliances, builders’ waste, tyres and other materials, some of which reignited after initially smouldering. Local residents reported worsening fly-tipping and concerns about hazardous fumes. The Environment Agency had previously referred the site for enforcement and said a criminal investigation was underway, while Trafford Council supported the emergency response and broader efforts to protect the environment and local communities.

Firefighters tackled a blaze at a suspected illegal waste dump in woodland near the River Mersey and Carrington Spur in Greater Manchester. The site contained mattresses, a fridge freezer, builders' waste, tyres, a cement mixer and wood panelling, with several areas reigniting after initially smouldering. Residents said lorries had repeatedly dumped waste there and raised concerns about toxic air pollution and the site's growth. The Environment Agency, which had previously referred the site to its enforcement team, has launched a criminal investigation with Trafford Council and other organizations. Authorities say illegal dumping poses wider environmental and public-safety risks and may be linked to organized crime.

Grade II-listed Rock Hall in Moses Gate Country Park, Farnworth, is set to be restored into a visitor and community centre for the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. Bolton Council has secured almost £4.5m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with additional funding still required. The project will preserve the 1807 building’s original features, remove a later extension and highlight the history of the Crompton family, local paper mills and the surrounding nature reserve. Work is due to begin next year and finish in 2029.

Grade II-listed Rock Hall in Moses Gate Country Park, Farnworth, is set to be restored and converted into a community and visitors centre focused on local heritage and wildlife conservation. Bolton Council has secured almost £4.5m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Rock Hall Revival project, which will be delivered with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, although additional funding is still needed. Built in 1807 by paper-mill owner John Crompton, the derelict building has been vacant since 2014 and damaged by vandals. Work is expected to begin in 2027 and finish in 2029, preserving original features while removing a 1980s rear extension.

Leaky dams installed across Holcombe Moor aim to reduce wildfire spread and mitigate flooding by retaining water on peat land. The National Trust and United Utilities have constructed wooden barriers in gullies to raise groundwater levels, slow rainwater flow into the River Irwell and improve biodiversity. Restoration efforts include planting sphagnum moss to support peat bog formation and carbon capture. Local experts highlight benefits such as reduced pressure on sewer systems and enhanced habitats, following increased adoption of natural flood management after severe flooding in Greater Manchester in 2015.

Residents living near an abandoned apartment block on Baguley Crescent urge Bury Council to consider compulsory purchase to address long-standing safety issues, vandalism and fly-tipping. MP Christian Wakeford supports exploring intervention, citing fire risks and deteriorating conditions. The council says ownership complexities prevent a purchase but plans a joint action day with fire and police services. The freeholder and several developers express interest in redevelopment, while residents criticise neglect and call for improved maintenance and local services.

Goole has begun its 200th anniversary celebrations with exhibitions, tours, a flotilla, sporting events and a scheduled flypast. Local civic groups and the council highlighted the town’s history as a major coal port and recent investments made under the Goole Town Deal. Events will continue through the weekend, culminating in a memorial service and Dakota flypast, with additional cultural projects planned for later in the year.

Newly discovered letters written by mountaineer George Mallory offer vivid descriptions of his Everest expedition and include his final reassurances to his mother before his fatal 1924 ascent. Unearthed by a family member, the collection includes nearly 150 letters alongside photographs and an ice axe linked to Mallory, all of which were sold at auction. The documents detail his early life, wartime service, and climbing career, while the auction highlighted their historical significance and the enduring mystery of whether Mallory and climbing partner Andrew Irvine reached Everest’s summit.

Newly discovered letters written by George Mallory to his mother reveal personal reflections from his early life, wartime service and mountaineering career, including his final messages before his fatal 1924 Everest ascent. The collection, found by a family member, includes nearly 150 letters, photographs and an ice axe with strong family provenance, all auctioned by Sotheby's. The writings describe Mallory’s first impressions of Everest, efforts to reassure his family, and the conditions leading up to his final climb. Additional letters from his widow show her grief in the weeks following his disappearance. The items sold for over £80,000, highlighting their historical significance.

Plans for Manchester United’s proposed 100,000‑seat stadium include reducing surface car parks and encouraging supporters to use public transport. Trafford Council’s strategic masterplan for the Trafford Wharfside area emphasizes consolidating parking, improving accessibility and meeting regulatory standards, while confirming accessible parking will remain. The masterplan outlines infrastructure developments such as a new railway station, a processional route and major residential construction. Supporter groups welcome consultation but stress the need to preserve stadium atmosphere. Trafford Council will vote on the masterplan later in the month ahead of a formal public consultation.

Graffiti carved into a chancel arch at Stow Minster in Lincolnshire may represent one of England’s earliest depictions of a Viking longship, offering insight into the region’s Viking presence more than 1,000 years ago. Church warden David Justham says the etching may date from the time Danish ruler Sweyn Forkbeard briefly made nearby Gainsborough the capital of England, though it could also have been created by local settlers. Archaeological evidence suggests an earlier wooden church on the site, possibly destroyed during Viking encampments in the late ninth century. Clergy highlight Stow’s historic importance due to its location near major waterways and its early role in the diocese of Lincoln.

Manchester’s Aviva Studios launches a major Ai Weiwei exhibition featuring large-scale works exploring war, global relationships and Chinese history. Ai Weiwei praised the city’s openness to culture and highlighted the venue’s unique scale. The exhibition includes an inflatable dinghy with refugee figures, imperial flags made from millions of buttons, a Lego mural and a reconstructed Ming-dynasty hall. Factory International leaders emphasised the significance of hosting Weiwei’s largest works, noting strong international interest. The show runs from 2 July to 6 September.

Emergency services continue searching the River Irwell in Salford for a boy last seen struggling in the water on Saturday. Items found on a nearby sandy patch suggest recent swimming activity. The case occurs amid multiple water-related deaths during hot weather, including fatalities in Bury, Tameside, Hampshire, the River Severn and beaches in Essex and Wales. Greater Manchester Police reports the incident remains ongoing with limited details released about the missing boy.