Crowds of sunseekers gathered across the North West on the hottest day of the year, causing chaos on the beaches.
Many people took the opportunity yesterday to partake in now allowed day trips to beauty spots such as parks and beaches.
Unfortunately, these places became rammed quickly as crowds gathered, as everyone did the same. Many people shared images on social media, with one Twitter user saying: “If this was you today in Southport, don’t worry about clapping tomorrow night.”
If this was you today in Southport, don't worry about clapping tomorrow night. pic.twitter.com/dRriimGYR2
— Mandy Owen š¾š¾š„ šš¶šŖšŗ (@hatemornings) May 20, 2020
Can't believe what I have just seen. Ainsdale and Southport beach 'crammed' with cars and people!! Felt so deflated after everyone's careful efforts. So reckless and complacent of people, acting like this nightmare is over? There are no words!š®š„ #StayAlert#mindless#keepsafepic.twitter.com/efeQR5VCdX
As part of the lockdown easing plan put in place by the government, restrictions on walks, exercise and time outside were lifted meaning day trips are now allowed – including unlimited exercise and sunbathing.
Beaches in Southport and Blackpool quickly became full with sun-seekers.
Traffic heading to Formby and Southport beaches right now.. This is just coming off M57 from Switch Island and itās starting to back up a good 4/5 miles from beaches. . This is a still off a video. pic.twitter.com/UcxjVagadW
— Claire Walmsley Griffiths (@cjgriffphoto) May 21, 2020
Roads were also gridlocked with cars and many ended up parking illegally, to get their spot on the beach.
In the south of England, traffic wardens ‘ran out of tickets’ as the beaches became utter chaos, the Mirror reports.
Many people have taken to Twitter to share pictures of crowds and their concerns on the lockdown easing.
This is Southend. within rules, everyone in photo has a right to travel to the beach for a day out. So this was inevitable. No chance of 2m distancing āļø
This is so risky. Thereās āeasingā the lockdown. Then thereās just reverting back to normal! Staggering. pic.twitter.com/oNt7CWHCsr
After the announcements on lockdown easing, Visit Blackpool quickly responded, changing its name on Twitter to Do Not Visit Blackpool and issuing a warning to the public to avoid the town.
They asked the public to ‘think twice before setting off for Blackpool for the day’, adding that they feel it is the ‘right thing, and the safest thing, to do at the moment’.
However, following the government’s advice, many people opted for visiting the beauty spot on this year’s hottest day.
Out on my morning walk along the prom and Iām disgusted at the amount of litter. Had a conversation with one of our street cleaners whoās seen a massive increase this week. The laziness of people is staggering,rubbish dropped metres from bins. Visiting Blackpool,bin your litter. pic.twitter.com/BoMI6zVYV5
— Brendan Bunting šÆš²š®šŖ (@DapperArtist) May 21, 2020
@BorisJohnson if you want help on your next decision then just look at the state of blackpool!Stay Alert? we had a blue sea and clear beaches- destroyed in a day. people are more than happy ignore your advice and add stress to nhs but clap on a thursday to support them? š” pic.twitter.com/033bRWVx45
One Twitter user KiaTobin raised the concerns that despite lockdown cleaning up Blackpool beach and leaving clearer water, this was ‘destroyed in day’.
as if people have gone blackpool and pure just trashed it again. humans are actual scum bags
Members of the public are being urged to continuously be careful and stringent with social distancing measures despite the latest government advice.
Places such as the Peak District issued clear guidance that people can continue to help the area by giving it ‘crucial breathing space to recover by staying local’. Many parks have kept toilets, information centres and other facilities closed.
A specialist team has taken over the project, which has been delayed by two years, to deliver the £75 million inland surf park at TraffordCity.
Tartan Leisure ā the organisation behind the soon-to-be-complete Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh ā have announced they will take over the construction of the water park from the McKinney Group.
It will be the first inland surf attraction in the North of England and is set to be a āmust seeā for surf enthusiasts, according to waterside regeneration specialist Peel Waters, which is overseeing the huge development.
Peel Waters
The attraction will use inland surfing technology, āPowered by Wavegardenā, the world leader in man-made wave-generating technologies.
The project is to be known as āModern Surf Manchesterā and will see perfect waves for beginners, learners and professionals alike to test their skills.
Early designs of the plans feature a surfing lagoon, bar and restaurant facilities and other interactive attractions for visitors and surfers such as a pump track and fitness zone, a halfpipe/boarding area and exercise areas including bouldering and balancing zones.
Peel Waters
Planning permission was approved for the new surf destinationās plans back in 2021. Once completed, the attraction is said to create up to 140 new full-time jobs.
Peel says the surf park will āfurther enhance TraffordCityās expanding portfolio of sport-based leisure and experience offeringsāā which includes skiing, snowboarding, skydiving, rock climbing and golf.
Tartan Leisure founder, Andy Hadden, said: āThere has been an enormous rise in popularity for surfing over recent years with proven benefits to our overall health and wellness.
“The Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh is on track to open next September and the response and appetite that we have seen from the public has been phenomenal.
Matt Harrop / Geograph
āNow, we are excited to work in partnership with Peel Waters and bring over a decade of our knowledge and expertise to support the development of an inland surfing facility to TraffordCity.
āThis will be a very exciting addition to an already incredible combined retail and experienced-based leisure destination for all to enjoy.ā
The estimated time of the build will take approximately two years once the team start work on site.
Viewers of popular game show Deal or No Deal have raised thousands of pounds to help a contestant with Motor Neurone Disease who only won a fiver.
Brad Wale told host Stephen Mulhern that if he won then he would use the money to help his family and also attempt to complete his bucket list.
In an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Mr Wale said: “I still listen to it back and watch it back and I can feel the tears coming on.
“I had every intention of winning big and I genuinely thought I would. To get to that moment and only receive Ā£5, it was absolutely heartbreaking and devastating.”
ITV
After he walked away with just five pounds from the show, fellow contestant Rochelle Brown, 30, launched a fundraiser to help his dreams come true. Within days, thousands of pounds in donations came flooding in to help Mr Wale.
The GoFundMe page called ‘Help Brad get his bucket list’ smashed its Ā£20,000 target in just a matter of days. At time of writing, it has raised a huge Ā£106,000.
On the page, Ms Brown writes: āHi! Iām Rochelle, Bradās friend from Deal or No Deal! Iām sure you all saw Brads devastating game on Deal or No Deal.Ā
āHis DOND family really want him to fulfil his dreams and we have set this up on the hope that anyone could maybe spare a couple of pounds and get Brad to tick some bits off his Bucket List. We love you Brad.ā
ITV
Mr Wale said: “I met Rochelle on my first ever audition for Deal or No Deal, when we got to filming and she was there, I was over the moon.
“We got put together opening the boxes and just formed a great friendship. Rochelle set a target, I just thought a few family members and friends would donate.
“From last Thursday the response I have had is something I could never put into words, from the bottom of my heart it means the world and I can never say thank you enough.
“You’ll never understand how much this has changed my life.”
ITV
When asked about his bucket list, Mr Wale continued: “I’ve always wanted to go to India, Thailand, just going to see places really I’ve also always wanted to do a bungee jump.
“Just to be able to wake up and think I can go and do this, or that. I’ve never had that I’ve always been skint.”
Adding: “I feel honoured blessed and guilty all at the same time, so to be given this kindness to me, is just nothing I would ever expect.”
MND is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that gets progressively worse over time. There’s no cure for MND, but there are treatments to help reduce the impact it has on a person’s daily life.Ā
ITV
Issuing an update on the fundraising page yesterday, Ms Brown wrote: āHello everyone, I didnāt think that I would be updating SO MANY OF YOU!
āI just want to say a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are all incredible. You have changed Brads life and I will never be able to say thank you enough.
āWe are wishing you all a very merry Christmas and HAPPY HEALTHY new year.
āYou have done an amazing thing for Brad and you should all be so proud of yourselves for your kindness. Xxx.ā
Libraries across Manchester are offering warm spaces for people seeking refuge from the cold this winter.
The initiative will see every library in Manchester transformed into āwarm spacesā where individuals of all ages can go inside, take cover from the elements, have warm drinks and access facilities.
Hereās what to expect at libraries across Manchester as they become welcoming warm hubs this winter…
Rept0n1x / Wikimedia
Free hot beverages
Hot cups of tea and coffee will be available for those who are seeking respite from the cold. Self-service drinks will be free as well as warm and cosy spaces for those to rest, meet friendly people and keep warm. Hot drinks are available now until February 2024.
Access to computers, internet and Wi-Fi services
Libraries offer computer hubs where users can access computers and connect to the internet and Wi-Fi services ensuring everyone can get online without worrying about costs. Staff will be on hand to assist and help with any questions.
PxHere / Stock photo
Family-friendly activities
Families and children are welcome to keep warm in libraries across Manchester, with six local libraries offering a little something extra.
Forum Library in Wythenshawe, Longsight Library, Newton Heath Library, North City Library in Harpurhey, Powerhouse Library in Moss Side, and Withington Library are offering a selection of toys and games for children to play with, suitable from ages 0 to 12+.
Families can enjoy time together in a safe, educational and positive environment.
Dai O’Nysius / Wikimedia
Free SIM cards with access to data
Recognising the challenges faced by those struggling to pay for data, all Manchester libraries are now providing free sim cards loaded with free data.
Residents over 18 years old can acquire these sims, ensuring six months of free internet access without any monthly top-up requirements. To obtain your free sim, simply visit your local library.
Digital support drop-ins
For individuals who have internet access but lack the skills or confidence to use it effectively, help is available with weekly drop-in sessions.
In collaboration with Letās Get Digital, libraries are offering the digital drop-ins one day a week. To join a session simply text 07860 064128 for assistance and guidance.
Manchester Libraries / Flickr
Age-Friendly Libraries drop-ins
Manchesterās libraries have achieved āAge Friendly Librariesā status, proudly displaying the new Manchester Age Friendly Library Logo.
Older residents are invited to attend weekly Age Friendly drop-ins at various library locations, providing an opportunity to meet people and socialise with others, have access to information and take part in engaging activities.
Residents will be welcomed by friendly faces with staff available to offer assistance.
Karolina Grabowska / Pexels
Warm Hubs for families and people of all ages
Throughout the winter Manchesterās libraries are not just places containing books where visitors can go to obtain knowledge, they are also community hubs offering a place of warmth, connectivity, and support for all residents.
So, if you need a place to come in from the cold, enjoy some company, access digital and online facilities, books, a family-friendly space or simply a comfortable place to spend your day, come in from the cold ā your local library welcomes you.