During these unprecedented times, it’s more important than ever to stay connected with your loved ones, whilst observing the government led social distancing guidelines. We hope Archives+ can help you to do this by publishing our popular memory boxes online which can be used as a starting point in discovering your family history, find out what their childhood was like, look back at the area where they grew up, discover their fondest childhood memories and maybe uncover some hidden gems in your family’s story.

Whilst children are off school and many adults are at home, why not take this opportunity to find out about those important stories thus ensuring this history is passed on to the next generation which can often get lost or put off for another day as we lead our busy lives. Sharing memories of days gone by can bring families closer together, listening to elderly relatives can be a comfort for families as they gain an insight into their life stories.

Each week Archives+ will publish a memory box for an area in Manchester, starting this week with our archives covering Withington. Below you will find a collection of images from Withington, alongside 6 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 6 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes, Radical Thinking, Communities. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.

In addition to this blog, the online memory box will be published on the Archives+ Facebook page. Dig out your old photos too, these can also be a brilliant resource to trigger fond memories of family times. We encourage you to share your findings on social media, either as comments on our Facebook page or on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ArchivesPlusMemorybox

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

If you are unable to share your photos and stories online, when the libraries reopen bring copies of your family memories into your local library. In the coming year we will produce an exhibition in your local library of selected submissions, shared both online and in person.

Please make sure that if you share any information with us that the person you have spoken to is happy for you to share it with Archives+. When sharing your findings try to avoid sharing too much personal information such as surnames and date of birth as these details can identify your loved ones.

Resources:

Unlocking Your Sound Archive have produced a blog about conducting oral history interviews with family members.

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people.

Withington Memories – Worksheet 1 IndustryDownload

Withington Memories – Worksheet 2 PlaceDownload

Old Moat Junior School – Tufty Club 1962

St. Cuthberts Church Sunday School Pantomime 1968

Withington Library Young People’s Room 1927

Withington Memories – Worksheet 3 Health and Living ConditionsDownload

Palatine House, Withington Congregational Church, now part of Christies 1973

Withington Memories – Worksheet 4 PastimesDownload

Design for Withington Baths by Henry Price 1909

Doreen Harrison joined the Withington Girl Guide Company in 1918 and later set up a Jewish Guide Troup in Fallowfield 1928

Wedding of Rosie Cohen to Joe Levy, 1908. Mauldeth Road, Sephardi Synagogue.

Withington Memories – Worksheet 5 RadicalDownload

Margaret Ashton, the first woman to be elected as a Councillor 1908

Demonstration against volunteers during bus strike, London Road 1946

Anti-Racist Demonstration, Whitworth Park 1977

Withington Memories – Worksheet 6 CommunitiesDownload

Withington Congregation of Spanish & Portuguese Jews 2011

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Withington. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

Each week Archives+ will publish a memory box for an area in Manchester, this week our archive collections cover the Gorton area. Below you will find a collection of images from Gorton, alongside 6 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 6 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes, Notable Gorton, Communities. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

Resources:

Unlocking Your Sound Archive have produced a blog about conducting oral history interviews with family members. The audio clips included in this online memory box have been kindly supplied by Unlocking Your Sound Archive.

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people.

Gorton Memories: Worksheet 1 IndustryDownload

Clowes Street West Gorton-Ardwick Area 1963. Property in Redevelopment Area

Gorton Memories: Worksheet 2 PlaceDownload

Varna Street School (Primary), interior of school showing large hall and classroom in corner 1963

Gorton and Openshaw Station from Constable Street, Varna Street School in background, Manchester 1964

Billiard Hall before it became Woolworths, Hyde Road South Side, Gorton 1959

Gorton Town Hall, Hyde Road South Side, Gorton 1959

Aerial Views, Gorton, Belle Vue Gardens 1926

Gorton Memories: Worksheet 3 Health and Living ConditionsDownload

Mrs. Webb recalls living in lodgings in Gorton before moving to a new house in Openshaw.

Gorton Memories: Worksheet 4 PastimesDownload

Zoological Gardens, West Gorton, Hyde Road South Side

Mrs. Bannister shares a funny story about feeding the monkeys on a family visit to Belle Vue zoo

Mr. Kelly is interviewed for the “Getting to Know You” radio programme about his job as zookeeper at Belle Vue. Mr. Kelly gives some facts and figures about Belle Vue zoo.

Mr. Kelly talks about animal conservation and breeding programmes

Mr. Kelly recounts the day he introduced his elephants to the Queen Mother.

Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, Elephant Ride 1900

Gorton Memories: Worksheet 5 Notable GortonDownload

Beyer Peacock and Co Ltd Works, Open Day, Gorton 1930

Gorton Lane side of Beyer Peacock and Co Ltd Works 1965

Beyer Peacock and Co Ltd, Built Locomotive, Manchester Docks 1929

Open day at Beyer Peacock and Co Ltd’s Works 1930

Steam Hammer, made for first Beyer Peacock and Co Ltd 1858

Dame Elizabeth Yarwood talks about her political life after WWI; including standing for seats in Gorton.

Gorton Memories: Worksheet 6 CommunitiesDownload

Brookfield Unitarian Church, Hyde Road, Gorton 1960.

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Gorton. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

Each week Archives+ will publish a memory box for an area in Manchester, this week our archive collections cover Beswick and the surrounding area. Below you will find a collection of images from Beswick, alongside 6 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 6 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes, Radical Thinking, Communities. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.

In addition to this blog, the online memory box will be published on the Archives+ Facebook page. Dig out your old photos too, these can also be a brilliant resource to trigger fond memories of family times.We encourage you to share your findings on social media, either as comments on our Facebook page or on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ArchivesPlusMemorybox

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

Resources:

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people

Beswick Memories: Worksheet 1 IndustryDownload

Mr. Holding tells how he started working at the pit when he was 14 years old.

Mr. Holding remembers his father being ill from working down the pit and shares how
the family coped.

Beswick Memories: Worksheet 2 PlaceDownload

Mrs. Williams describes buying coke from the Gas works in a wagon to make the coal
fires last longer.

Etihad Stadium (City of Manchester Stadium), Manchester Commonwealth Games 2002

Etihad Stadium (City of Manchester Stadium), Manchester Commonwealth Games 2002 “Drummer kids”

Mrs. Mairs recalls the streets her family lived in around the Beswick area.

Beswick Memories: Worksheet 3 Health and Living Conditions Download

Mrs. Heywood describes how her address in Victoria Street, Bradford changed overnight!

Beswick Memories: Worksheet 4 PastimesDownload

Whit Walks, Onward Hall, Rose Queen, Taken in Orme Street, Beswick 1928

Barmouth Street Baths and Washhouse, Barmouth Street, Beswick 1964

The Domino Club, Barmouth Street, Beswick 1964

Mrs. Williams recounts the area close to the Gas works that she played in and her
childhood games.

Beswick Memories: Worksheet 5 RadicalDownload

Philips Park – A Sunday afternoon in 1914

Beswick Memories: Worksheet 6 CommunitiesDownload

Vacant land adjoining River Medlock, Beswick – St Marys Church in background 1911

Beswick Redevelopment, Barmouth Street/Grey Mare Lane 1964

Beswick Methodist Church, Charlesworth Street, Beswick 1963

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Beswick. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

Homes flattened, the old mills smashed,

Pavements glittered with broken glass,

But we prayed all would come to pass,

Our hope, by bombs, could not be dashed.

The morning smoldered, the air was still,

As my mother led me from Cheetham Hill,

Along the road we met those like we,

Who were to become evacuees.

The trains were loaded against mother’s cries,

As we fled the death rained down from the sky,

The belching chimneys became grassy knolls,

Wailing sirens to church bell tolls.

Goodbyes whispered on trails of steam,

The city melts to fields and streams,

Trembling hands upon my battered case,

Clutching memories of my mother’s face.

For a family I did not find,

As my new home paid me no mind,

Relegated to a new scullery maid,

In Manchester I wish I’d stayed.

To my mother I wrote and wept,

Shivering in the attic where I slept,

But mother I knew I was not alone,

You came and saved me, you took me home.

The inspiration for this poem came from the transcript of an interview with Rosa Slater, regarding her experience of evacuation from Manchester during WWII.

The interview can be found within the digital sound archives in Manchester Central Library and details young Rosa’s evacuation from Cheetham Hill to a ‘small community just north of Blackburn’. Evacuation to the countryside offered a major culture shock to many inner city children and experiences differed. Rosa’s interview offers insight into the emotional trauma of being separated from her family and being ‘chosen’ at the school hall by a new host family.

Rosa details being ‘picked by this a lady (…) and put in the attic on a camp bed’ she was told she wouldn’t be joining the billet family for meals but was told to eat in the kitchen with the maid servant, a role she would be forced to perform. Rosa was seen as an extension of the hired help and would have ‘certain chores’ to carry out. The treatment worsened when Rosa’s letters to her mother were not posted which led to her mother from removing her from the billeting household.

I chose to write about Rosa’s experience as opposed to the more positive interviews regarding evacuation to shed light on an a lesser known aspect of children billeting with families in the country. You can hear a more detailed version of Rosa’s story in her own words below.

On 7 May 1945, Germany signed a document of formal surrender to the Allies, meaning that after almost six years, the Second World War in Europe had finally come to an end. War brought death and suffering to millions of people across the world. In Britain, towns and cities were destroyed due to bombing raids by the German Luftwaffe. Food was rationed and children were evacuated to the country. Families did not know when, or even if, they would be reunited with their loved ones.

The Allied nations had been preparing for the fall of Berlin prior to the completion of surrender and so, official plans were put in place ready to mark the celebrations. An announcement of victory was broadcast to the British people via radio on 7 May and the following day was declared a national holiday, known as Victory in Europe Day or VE Day.

Across Greater Manchester, thousands of people joined together on 8 May to celebrate the news. Streets parties took place for adults and children, houses and buildings were decorated with patriotic Union Jack flags and bunting. Pubs were flooded with people and crowds gathered to dance and sing songs such as Vera Lynn’s ‘White Cliffs of Dover’ and ‘We’ll Meet Again’. Newspapers reported that vital wartime equipment was used across the region to commemorate the day; an ‘all-clear’ was sounded on sirens to mark the end of the national holiday and active searchlights were used in Bolton to form a Victory V in the sky.

Alongside these celebrations, formal events were also organised. According to a Manchester Guardian article from 1945, official proceedings in the city began at 3pm with a radio broadcast from Prime Minister Winston Churchill which was relayed by loud speaker in Albert Square. In his speech, Churchill addressed the nation and acknowledged that whilst VE Day was certainly a time for jubilation, preparations must begin for recovery. This was followed by a civic ceremony led by the Lord Mayor Alderman W.P. Jackson and flags of the Allied nations were raised to symbolise unity and collective victory.

The civic celebrations did not stop there. As part of the national arrangements, King George VI had requested the Sunday following VE Day to be one of thanks-giving and remembrance. Therefore, a victory parade was organised to take place in the city to commemorate Manchester’s war effort. The Armed Forces, Civil Defence, Police, Fire-guard Services, Women’s Land Army, arms workers and voluntary organisations, marched in procession to the Cathedral where a thanks-giving service took place.

However, whilst there was a clear feeling of joy and relief that war in Europe was over, it must not be forgotten that the fighting continued in the Pacific against Japan. Total victory for the Allies would not be claimed until 15 August 1945, known as Victory over Japan Day or VJ Day.

Each week Archives+ will publish a memory box for an area in Manchester, this week our archive collections cover Manchester City Centre and the surrounding area. Below you will find a collection of images from the City Centre, alongside 6 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 6 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes, Radical Thinking, Communities. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.

In addition to this blog, the online memory box will be published on the Archives+ Facebook page. Dig out your old photos too, these can also be a brilliant resource to trigger fond memories of family times.We encourage you to share your findings on social media, either as comments on our Facebook page or on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ArchivesPlusMemorybox

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

Resources:

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people

City Centre Memories: Worksheet 1 IndustryDownload

Woolworths, Oldham Street, Corner with Piccadilly 1967

King Street, Cross Street to Deansgate 1953

Burtons, Cross Street/Market Street 1962

Marks & Spencer, Market Street/Cross Street 1962

Henry’s Department Store, Market Street 1967

Bus Stop, Market Street 1970 (the grass lawn on the right is where No 1 Deansgate is now situated)

UCP (United Cattle Products) Pall Mall, 1967

Journalist Harry Whewell describes his first day at the Guardian offices on Cross Street in 1950.

City Centre Memories: Worksheet 2 PlaceDownload

London Road Station 1945 (now Manchester Piccadilly Station)

The Midland Hotel, Lower Mosley Street/Peter Street 1905

Ken Howarth explores artifacts in the old air raid shelters below Victoria Street near Victoria Station and Manchester Cathedral.

Mancunian Way, Views of Booth Street and Downing Street End 1967

Free Trade Hall, Peter Street 1930 (now a Radisson Hotel)

St Peters Square, during the Commonwealth Games 2002

Mr. S recalls the areas he worked in when he was attached to D Division for 10 years; he was then promoted to A Division in the city centre, where he “…enjoyed every minute of it.” When asked what he liked so much about the work he comments that it “varied so… so much of interest… attract your attention… lively…”

City Centre Memories: Worksheet 3 Health and Living ConditionsDownload

Ancoats, Henry Street (facing west) 1962

Mrs. Fitzgerald describes her childhood home in Deansgate – a 2 up 2 down – and the rent they paid.

Manchester Royal Infirmary Piccadilly 1908

An old man remembers his early life being brought up in a pub on Major Street. Carters got free food and drink in the pub, and Piccadilly Gardens was still home to the hospital.

Ancoats, Oldham Road, shops (Spittal Street), Workmen’s Dwellings 1896

Ancoats, Blossom Street & Loom Street, backs formerly Blossom Court 1900

Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road 1910

Cromford Court/Arndale (housing on rooftop) 1985

Anita Street (Victoria Square can be seen at end of road) 1963

Ancoats, Oldham Road, backs of Tenements 1898

Mrs. Fitzgerald shares her family connections to Deansgate; her parents were born there; her grandmother’s memories of the area and her grandfather’s work as a stonemason.

City Centre Memories: Worksheet 4 PastimesDownload

Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, station approach 1939

Mrs. Rawding talks about her father who worked in a theatre on the Broadhead circuit; she describes taking his supper to him and being allowed to watch plays from the box.

The Gaumont Cinema, Oxford Road 1962 (The Picture House next door is now McDonalds)

James Gilligan remembers being pickpocketed in the old Manchester Hippodrome theatre on Oxford Street. The building then became the Gaumont cinema.

Mrs. Hanham shares an anecdote about when she heard WWI was over whilst at work; they “downed tools”, went home to change and went to Piccadilly to celebrate!

The Ritz Ballroom, Whitworth Street West 1964

Manchester Aquatics Centre, Oxford Road 2002

Mr. Lawlor talks about his childhood close to the University Settlement; including their indoor activities, the museum at Ancoats Hall and a May Day parade.

City Centre Memories: Worksheet 5 Radical ThinkingDownload

Gay Unity February 1988. Up to 120 local lesbians and gay men came to NWCLGE meetings in the Town Hall to plan this rally. NWCLGE adopted the ‘Never Going Underground’ symbol for its campaign against Section 28.

Group of Suffragettes including Emmeline Pankhurst (Founder of the Women’s Social and Political Movement) and Emily Wolstenholme.

Pan-African Congress, Chorlton-On-Medlock Town Hall 1945. The congress demanded an end to colonial rule in Africa.

In 1980 Manchester became the world’s first Nuclear Free City.

The Trades Union Congress was founded in Manchester in 1868. Their mission has not changed: “standing up for working women and men, and making sure their voices are heard”.

Richard Cobden Statue, St Anns Square. Cobden was a prominent figure in the Anti-Corn Law League, a campaign to reduce the tax on corn and oats to make food more affordable.

The Peterloo Massacre 1819, St Peters Fields. 60,000 men, women and children demanding political representation and freedom from poverty were attacked by local yeomanry and Hussars, killing 18 and injuring nearly 700. This event was a turning point for democracy in the UK.

Manchester University Oxford Road 1950. Alumni included scientists John Dalton (Atomic Theory), Earnest Rutherford (split the atom), Hans Geiger (the Geiger counter), Professor Andre Geim and Professor Konstantin Novoselov (discovered Graphene, the world’s strongest and thinnest material).

Alan Turin, statue in Sackville Gardens. He decoded the German Enigma Machine in WW2, and through his work at Manchester University, is known as the father of modern computing.

Liverpool Road Station 1895, the world’s oldest passenger railway station, built in 1830. It is now part of the Museum of Science and Industry in Castlefield.

Humphrey Chetham left instructions in his will to create the Children’s Hospital/ Chethams Hospital library ‘The Wickets’, which was established in 1653. Chethams Library is the oldest public library in the English speaking world.

The Friends Meeting House, Mount Street. Built in the early 1830s this was the Quakers main place of worship. The Quakers were active in campaigning for the abolition of slavery.

City Centre Memories: Worksheet 6 CommunitiesDownload

Church of the Holy Name, Oxford Road 1878

Synagogue, Manchester Reform Synagogue 1866

St Ann’s Church from St Ann’s Square 1940

The Italian Community, Whit Friday Walks, Albert Raffo c1890

Aerial Views, All Saints, Oxford Road 1837. Image shows the church and surrounding area, the Victoria University in top left-hand corner.

The Irish Community, Manchester Town Hall 1988

Cross Street Chapel, Cross Street (East side) 1909

St Mary’s Church, Mulberry Street, 1974. ‘The Hidden Gem’

The Chinese Community: Chinese New Year in China Town, 2010

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Manchester City Centre. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

As the lockdown continues, it’s more important than ever to stay connected with your loved ones, whilst observing the government led social distancing guidelines. We hope Archives+ can help you to do this by publishing our popular memory boxes online which can be used as a starting point in discovering your family history, find out what their childhood was like, look back at the area where they grew up, discover their fondest childhood memories and maybe uncover some hidden gems in your family’s story.

Each week Archives+ will publish a memory box for an area in Manchester, this week our archive collections cover Wythenshawe. Below you will find a collection of images from Wythenshawe, alongside 6 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 6 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes, Radical Thinking, Communities. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.

In addition to this blog, the online memory box will be published on the Archives+ Facebook page. Dig out your old photos too, these can also be a brilliant resource to trigger fond memories of family times.We encourage you to share your findings on social media, either as comments on our Facebook page or on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ArchivesPlusMemorybox

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

Resources:

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people

Wythenshawe Memories: Worksheet 1 IndustryDownload

Hollyhedge Road, Hollyhedge Shopping Centre, Benchill, Wythenshawe 1955

Minsterley Parade, Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe 1962

Hollyhedge Road, Benchill, Wythenshawe 1964

Dennis Taylor talks about working for Ferranti in Wythenshawe in the 1950s developing missiles at the factory that later became the Atlas Business Centre Courtesy of Oldham Local Studies and Archives

Timpsons Shoes Ltd, Roundthorn Industrial Estate, Southmoor Road, Baguley 1971

Civic Centre (Wythenshawe Town Centre) 1963

Co-operative, Civic Centre (Wythenshawe Town Centre) 1965

Mr. Bracegirdle was born into a family of market gardeners; he remembers when the Wythenshawe estate was built and the impact on “… hundreds of acres of farms…”.

Wythenshawe Memories: Worksheet 2 PlaceDownload

Baguley Hall, Baguley, Front elevation 1932

Mr. Bracegirdle remarks on the building of the airport and how it affected the market gardeners. “On this top road, this road that goes t’ th’airport now, Ringway road here, it used to go right through to Altrincham Road…Wilmslow Road…used to go right through and it stopped…”

Baggage Handler, Ringway, Manchester Airport 1960

The Forum, Civic Centre (Wythenshawe Town Centre) 1972

Wythenshawe Fire Station (top right) and Wythenshawe Day Nursery 1969

Tatton Arms, Northenden, Wythenshawe 1965

Aerial Views, Benchill Estate, Wythenshawe 1937

Wythenshawe Memories: Worksheet 3 Health and Living ConditionsDownloa

Baguley Sanatorium, Baguley, Manchester 1916

Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, main entrance 1972

Children in Northenden, Lingard Road, Northenden 1900

Portway, Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe 1970

Greenbrow Road, Newall Green, Wythenshawe 1949

Cotefield Road, Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe 1958

Mrs. Mairs recollects when building started by New Hey Road and Broadoak Road and how people had to walk to the nearest bus stop “…there’s many a time when it’s been pouring with rain and I’ve called people in to shelter in my home…”

Wythenshawe Memories: Worksheet 4 PastimesDownload

The Forum Cinema, Wythenshawe Road, Northenden, Wythenshawe 1959

Michael McGrath remembers going to the ABC Minors children’s matinees on a Saturday morning

Bowling Green and Pavillion, Wythenshawe Park 1969

Wythenshawe Library (Forum Library), Leningrad Square, Woodhouse Park 1972

Mrs. Mairs recalls a local man who opened a library in his home “…tuppence a book”.

Golden Garter, Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe 1972

Library Theatre, The Forum, Leningrad Square, Wythenshawe 1972

Wythenshawe Swimming Baths (Sharston Baths), Sharston, Wythenshawe 1966

Wythenshawe Swimming Baths (Sharston Baths), Sharston, Wythenshawe 1960

Bowling Alley (to right of image) before it changed to the Golden Garter, Wythenshawe 1966

Paddling Pool, Wythenshawe Park, Wythenshawe 1955

Mrs. Mairs asks “Did you ever hear about the Benchill Flitch?” and explains that this was where a couple had to prove they had not had a row in 12 months! To learn more about this old custom see the Dunmow Flitch Trials.

Wythenshawe Memories: Worksheet 5 Radical ThinkingDownload

Wythenshawe Hall, Orangery, Wythenshawe Park 1953

Statue of Oliver Cromwell facing Wythenshawe Hall (moved from Cathedral Site in 1968), Wythenshawe 1971

Civil War Re-Enactment, Wythenshawe Hall, Wythenshawe Park 1926

Sir Edward Watkin, (lived at Rose Hill, Northenden) 1898

Decorative gate at Rose Hill, home of Sir Edward Watkin, Northenden, Wythenshawe 1959

Wythenshawe Memories: Workshop 6 CommunitiesDownload

St Anthony’s R.C. Church, Portway, Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe 1960

St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe 1969

St Peter’s R.C. Church, Newall Green, Wythenshawe 1955

St Luke’s Church (Church of England), from Hollyhedge Road, Benchill, Wythenshawe 1955

Wythenshawe Unitarian Church, Brownley Road, from Benchill Hotel corner (now Manchester College) 1955

Northenden Social Club, Northenden, Wythenshawe Road, Wythenshawe 1959

Mrs. Mairs talks about the activities in the community centre from whist drives to dancing and when she won a fancy dress competition.

St Anthony’s Parish Centre, Portway, Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe 1972

Woodhouse Park and Moss Nook Community Association, Youth Centre, Portway (now The Lifestyle Centre) 1972

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Wythenshawe. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

As we deal with the coronavirus pandemic it is perhaps worth contemplating the 1918 flu pandemic (known as the “Spanish Flu” not because it originated in Spain – the geographical origin is still not known – but because Spain appeared to be more widely hit being the only country that allowed free newspaper reporting at the time). It is also an opportunity to reflect on Manchester’s role in that pandemic.

It is interesting to look at how the 1918 pandemic differs from the current one. The 1918 pandemic, which affected a third of the world’s population, killed at least 17 million people, maybe even 50 million and possibly up to 100 million. It is often stated that the flu pandemic killed more people than World War I and it is inexorably linked with that conflict. In the United Kingdom around 228,000 people died.

The death rate was thought to be so high because of malnourishment, overcrowded camps and hospitals, and poor hygiene leading to a bacterial superinfection. Although the main pandemic started in 1918 the same strain of flu was probably apparent in the British hospital camp of Etaples in France in 1916. The camp saw thousands of soldiers pass through and was also home to a piggery – one theory is that birds passed the virus to pigs and then on to humans. This is of course a similar situation to the current virus with animals thought to be the source.

The Spanish Flu, unlike coronavirus, also killed many young adults, nearly half of deaths being in the age group 20-40 years. Soldiers were particularly vulnerable, their immune systems compromised by malnourishment and combat stress. So were pregnant women with many losing their child.

The pandemic proper began in the spring of 1918 with a second wave in the autumn of that year, lasting until early 1919.

So what of Manchester’s fate and role in the 1918 pandemic? This can perhaps best be illustrated by looking at articles in The Guardian newspaper of the time (then the The Manchester Guardian). An article on 26^th June stated that the disease “is now definitely established in Manchester and Salford.” At this stage it was felt that the strain was not a new one and that symptoms were mild, although it was seen as highly infectious. Some schools were forced to close because of the number of pupils off with the disease and works and businesses, Manchester Tramways amongst them, began to suffer from short staffing.

An article on 10^th July reported 100 deaths from pneumonia and influenza in the previous week for the city but the paper also reported in articles around this time that the situation seemed to be improving. When the second wave came in the autumn there was initially a feeling that Manchester would not be badly affected: on 25^th October the headline was “The New Visitation: Influenza still “quiet” in Manchester”. Yet by 2^nd November the paper reported that the Medical Officer of Health (James Niven – see below) had issued a leaflet saying the disease was “again prevalent in Manchester”. On 4^th November the paper acknowledged that the general opinion was now that the illness was of the “severer type” and on 13^th November an increase in the death rate was reported: 149 deaths for the previous week compared to 81 in the week preceeding that. 200 deaths occurred in the week up to 19th November and 387 in the week up to 3^rd December. It wasn’t until 25^th March 1919 that the paper reported that figures were decreasing.

Manchester is particularly significant in the 1918 pandemic because of the role of its Medical Officer of Health James Niven (1851-1925) seen here in an image from Manchester Libraries Local Image Collection (ref m81053). Niven, who was Medical Officer of Health 1894-1922, made many improvements to the city’s sanitation and maternity services as well as being resposible for Monsall Fever Hospital. He also made strenuous efforts to contain the effects of the Spanish Flu pandemic and this was portrayed in the 2009 BBC drama The Spanish Flu – the Forgotten Fallen starring Bill Paterson as Niven. According to Wikipedia Niven “was probably the first Medical Officer of Health to enforce preventive measures to stop the spread of disease.”

Again the The Guardian gives us an insight into Niven’s actions. On 26^th June 1918 he was not concerned that this was a new strain of influenza but did advocate prompt treatment and isolating oneself. On 28^th of June Niven was advocating isolating the sick and stated “this is especially important in the case of first attacks in a household, factory or workshop.” He also said used handkerchiefs should be disposed of, articles and rooms should be disinfected and those infected should not meet in groups for. On 23^rd October (second wave) Niven was acknowledging the more virulent nature of the disease. He prepared a leaflet emphasising the measures already mentioned in this paragraph. On 5^th December he persuaded the Hospital Committee to ask Doctors to notify them of families suffering hardship because of the disease so they could obtain assistance.

It does seem to be highly likely that Niven’s actions saved many lives. There are a number of resources for those who want to read more about the pandemic and James Niven’s role:

Report on the Epidemic of Influenza in Manchester, 1918-19 by James Niven

Available at http://influenza.sph.unimelb.edu.au/data/S0001/chapters/app_4.pdf

The Medical Officer Of Health Reports for Manchester: done yearly these contain statistics on births, deaths and disease. Manchester Libraries hold a large printed set of these and the years 1918-20 can be viewed at https://archive.org/details/b2978539x/mode/2up

Observations on the History of Public Health Effort in Manchester by James Niven himself, published in 1923. This does not seem to be available digitally but can be viewed in Central Library when it re-opens.

Living with Enza : the forgotten story of Britain and the great flu pandemic of 1918 by Mark Honigsbaum published in 2008: tells the story of the pandemic with much reference to Manchester. This is not available digitally but can be borrowed/viewed from Central Library on re-opening.

Finally there is another connection with both the current pandemic and with Manchester – it relates to David Lloyd George, the Prime Minister of the time. He was born at 5 New York Place, Chorlton-upon-Medlock, Manchester in 1863 (although he and his family moved to Wales in 1865).

David Lloyd George birthplace, 5 New York Place, Manchester (Photo taken 1950)

Like our current Prime Minister he himself contracted the disease himself. This was in the autumn of 1918 and it was in Manchester, where he was visiting, that he was confined: in a makeshift room in the Town Hall.

David Lloyd George Freedom of City, 12/09/1918

Each week Archives+ will publish a memory box for an area in Manchester, this week our archive collections cover Levenshulme. Below you will find a collection of images from Levenshulme, alongside 6 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 6 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes, Notable Levenshulme, and Communities. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.

In addition to this blog, the online memory box will be published on the Archives+ Facebook page. Dig out your old photos too, these can also be a brilliant resource to trigger fond memories of family times.We encourage you to share your findings on social media, either as comments on our Facebook page or on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ArchivesPlusMemorybox

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

Resources:

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people

Levenshulme Memories: Worksheet 1 IndustryDownload

Stockport Road east side No 56, Catholic Church to Delamere Road (formerly the site of a cinema) Levenshulme 1959

Alan Talbot mentions his schooldays and remembers his first job as a butcher’s boy delivering meat by bicycle in Levenshulme. OH/2374a-e2

The Atlas Engineering Works, Chapel Street from Stanhope Street, Levenshulme

Levenshulme Market, Farm Side Place from Stockport Road 1971

Wayne Fontana tells Mike Sweeney about buying his first ever record from a record shop in Levenshulme – Buddy Holly’s Rave On.
PICC/660
Copyright Piccadilly Radio

Longsight, Stockport Road east side No 24, Midway Hotel to Gorton / Levenshulme Boundary 1959

Stockport Road east side No 67, Grindleton Buildings, Levenshulme 1959

Levenshulme Memories: Worksheet 2 PlaceDownload

Albert Road, L & NW Railway Bridge, Levenshulme 1909

Music Class, St Andrews Church of England Primary School, Levenshulme 1968

Levenshulme Council Offices, Stockport Road, Levenshulme 1907

Chapel Street Council School, Levenshulme 1907

Stockport Road east side No 61, Old Police Station, Levenshulme 1959

Levenshulme Girls High School, Levenshulme 1910

Midway House, Stockport Road, Levenshulme 1900

“The Midway Hotel”, Stockport Road, Levenshulme 1970

Government Buildings, Labour Exchange, Levenshulme 1964

Levenshulme Memories: Worksheet 3 PastimesDownload

Billiard Hall, Slade Lane west side, Levenshulme 1962

Palace Cinema, Farm Side Place from Stockport Road, Levenshulme 1971

ABC Bowling Alley – Bingo Club – Regal Cinema, Stockport Road, Levenshulme 1970

Levenshulme Baths and Wash Houses, Manchester 1920

Mr. Hooley shares details of public hygiene common for the times, which are thankfully
no longer with us today! “Baths? We never had baths, only if we went to the public baths…”

Levenshulme Memories: Worksheet 4 Health and Living ConditionsDownload

Duchess of York Hospital for Babies, Slade Lane, Levenshulme 1952

Barlow Road, from Fairbourne Road, Levenshulme 1914

Henderson Street, rear view, Levenshulme 1964

Alan Talbot, born in 1935, describes the Levenshulme house he grew up in. OH/2374a-e1

Central Avenue / Windsor Road, Levenshulme 1910

Levenshulme Memories: Worksheet 5 Notable LevenshulmeDownload

Sir Norman Foster – world renowned architect, grew up in Levenshulme. He studied at Levenshulme Library. (Photo Levenshulme Library 1910)

Controversial Conservative politician Earnest Marples was born in Levenshulme in 1907. As Post master General, he implemented the Premium Bonds scheme. He later became Minister of Transport, opening the first long stretch of motorway in the UK, the M1. In retirement Mr Marples fled the UK to avoid tax evasion.

Actress Beryl Reid grew up in Manchester and attended Levenshulme Girls’ High School. Aerial View of Levenshulme Girls’ High School 1932

Actor Arthur Lowe, who starred in the TV series “Dad’s Army” attended Chapel Street Primary School, Levenshulme 1929

Levenshulme Memories: Worksheet 6 CommunitiesDownload

Levenshulme Boys Club, Rostron Street, Stanmere Hall, Levenshulme 1965

St Marks Church, Church of England, Levenshulme 1918

Maternity and Child Welfare Centre, Woodfold Avenue, Levenshulme 1971 – now Noor Masjid Mosque

Levenshulme Catholic Club, Central Avenue, Levenshulme 1971

Levenshulme Congregational Chapel, Stockport Road east side No 29, Levenshulme 1959

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Levenshulme. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

As the lockdown continues, it’s more important than ever to stay connected with your loved ones, whilst observing social distancing guidelines. We hope Archives+ can help you to do this by publishing our popular memory boxes online which can be used as a starting point in discovering your family history, find out what their childhood was like, look back at the area where they grew up, discover their fondest childhood memories and maybe uncover some hidden gems in your family’s story.

Each week Archives+ will publish a memory box for an area in Manchester, this week our archive collections cover Cheetham Hill. Below you will find a collection of images from Cheetham Hill, alongside 6 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 6 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes, Radical Thinking, and Communities. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.

In addition to this blog, the online memory box will be published on the Archives+ Facebook page. Dig out your old photos too, these can also be a brilliant resource to trigger fond memories of family times.We encourage you to share your findings on social media, either as comments on our Facebook page or on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ArchivesPlusMemorybox

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

Resources:

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people

Cheetham Hill Memories: Worksheet 1 IndustryDownload

Marcus Falk’s Shop, 137 Great Ducie Street c1920, photograph of Rose Myer’s mother’s father’s shop. One of the first to sell Yiddish newspapers in Manchester. The shop faced the Assize Court, and Rose remembers being taken to the shop to watch the judges procession from their lodgings to the court. Falks was bombed presumably along with Assize Courts. Levy’s furniture shop was still there at the time of deposit in 1985. GB124.DPA/2338/01

Cheetham Hill Road east side, view north, Cheetham 1959

(1103/245) Mr. Boxer recalls arriving in Manchester from Jamaica and attending an engineering training centre in Smedley Lane, Cheetham Hill before he started work as a Machine Operator at Metro-Vicks.
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Cheetham Hill Memories: Worksheet 2 PlaceDownload

Assembly Rooms, Cheetham Hill Road, Cheetham 1965

Museum of Transport, Boyle Street, Cheetham Hill (photo of SELNEC 1972 unknown location)

Crumpsall Public Library, Cheetham Hill Road east side, Cheetham Hill

Assize Courts, from south, from John Street, Strangeways, Manchester 1945

Cheetham Town Hall, Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester 1906

Smedley Old Hall, Bottom of Smedley Lane, gate to hall on extreme right, Smedley Old Hall and building to right of it demolished later, Cheetham 1924

Cheetham Hill Memories: Worksheet 3 PastimesDownload

Abraham Moss Festival, Cheetham Area 1977

Temperance Billiard Hall, Cheetham Hill Road east side, Cheetham 1959

Noel Timpson Centre, Cheetham Hill Road 1965

Top Rank Bowling Alley, Cheetham Hill Road 1965

Cheetham Hill Memories: Worksheet 4 Health and Living ConditionsDownload

Kennet House, Smedley Lane, Cheetham Hill 1972

Greenhill Road, rear view, Cheetham Hill 1963

Waterloo Road & Halliwell Lane, Cheetham 1915

Jewish Hospital, main entrance, Elizabeth Street, Cheetham Hill 1965

Cheetham Hill Memories: Worksheet 5 Radical ThinkingDownload

Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy, born in Cheetham Hill in 1833, was a campaigner for social, legal & political equality for women. Photograph shows a group of Suffragettes including Emmeline Pankhurst. Elizabeth is at the front holding flowers, Emmeline is second from left as viewed.

Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of popular children’s books “The Secret Garden”, “Little Lord Fauntleroy” and “A Little Princess” was born in Cheetham Hill in 1849.

Starting with a market stall in Leeds, Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer opened their first retail store on Cheetham Hill Road in 1894. This photo shows one of their Penny Bazaars in Manchester.

(1103/109(2)) Mr. Bracegirdle tells of having to leave the farm he worked at as it was sold “ fella who bought it, you know Marks & Spencer’s…well it was Marks…”
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Cheetham Hill Memories: Worksheet 6 CommunitiesDownload

Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, Cheetham Hill Road 1978

Trinity Church, View south, Cheetham Hill Road east side 1959

(1103/52) Mrs. Watson recounts how she was brought up to believe punctuality was important; even if this meant setting off early to take part in church parades “…we walked all the way to Cheetham Hill, which, the Sunday school is now the Polish club…”
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

East Temple School, Cheetham Hill Road east side 1959

Construction of North Manchester Jamia Mosque, Woodlands Road, Cheetham Hill 1990

St. Lukes, Cheetham Hill Road / Smedley Lane, Cheetham Hill 1969

The United Synagogue, Cheetham Hill Road east side, from Derby Street 1959

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Cheetham Hill. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

Here at Archives+, we work to capture the history of our city from as many communities as possible, so we can tell Manchester’s story in as many voices as possible. We are all living through history right now. Coronavirus has affected everyone in our communities. We all have a story to tell about our experience in lockdown and beyond, and we want you to help us build an archive of memories, pictures, photographs, sound and video from this time for future generations. All the Archives+ partners – Manchester Archives and Local Studies, the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre and North West Film Archive – are collecting and there is more information about how to take part in this blog.

Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre

The Team at AIU RRRC work to make Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) history, heritage and culture more visible and to ensure that the authentic voice of the community is properly documented. The Covid pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on BAME communities and it is essential that a historical account of this, created by the community itself, forms part of the public record. To address this, they have launched a campaign which aims to ensure this experience is properly documented and recorded. The campaign covers the whole of Greater Manchester. You can find out more from their blog at https://www.racearchive.org.uk/covid-19-collecting/ and using the hashtag #AllStoriesAreImportant

Manchester Archives and Local Studies and Unlocking Our Sound Heritage

Manchester has had its fair share of historical events, but one of the things which is often missing from the history books are the words of the people who lived through history themselves. The story of everyday life lived through extraordinary times will be important in the future and will give a personal insight into life in the city.

Some people may have already written down their feelings, or expressed them through creating artwork – but if you are keen to capture your feelings about the times we’re living through and are not sure where to start, the following prompts might help:

If you have had the virus, how did it affect you?
How has the virus impacted on your work?
How has the virus impacted on your home life?
What are you doing to keep busy?
Have you got to know your neighbours better?
How has the virus affected your view of the future?

There is no right or wrong way to do this as everyone’s experience is different and unique.

Please make sure that anything you submit is your own work. If you want to submit a photograph, please include details of when and where it was taken and why you took it.

If you would prefer your submission to be used anonymously in any future exhibition, please let the team know – but do include your name, location and contact details so that they can contact you for further information if needed.

If you wish to to submit a sound recording, you can use a sound recording function on your phone or tablet to create a simple MP3 recording. There’s lots more information and inspiration here: https://northwestsoundheritage.org/2020/05/12/lockdown-sounds/

Submissions of sound recordings, documents or photographs can be made by emailing info@archivesplus.org. If your document or photograph is too large to send by email, please contact us using this email address to arrange another way to submit it.

If your submission is on paper or in another physical form, please keep it safely at home until your local Manchester library reopens, when you will be able to submit it in person.

North West Film Archive

The North West Archive is asking for YOUR help – we want to create as wide-ranging a picture as possible of what life was really like in the North West of England during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, so we’re looking for your perspectives on these unprecedented and worrying times. So, whoever and wherever you are in the North West, if you have any video showing life at home or at work – the empty streets, the experiences of key workers, the Zoom parties, the weekly applause for the NHS on your street, etc, etc – we’d love to hear from you.

If you wish to submit a video file, contact the North West Film Archive, which is based at Archives+, via https://www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk/lockdown.htm

Many of you may know that the Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society (MLFHS) have successfully operated a free Family History Help Desk at Manchester Central Library since it reopened in 2014. Since the swift closure of the library in March, the shutters at our Help Desk have also remained firmly closed.

However, with lockdown down now easing and wanting to return to some form of normality we are now in the position to offer a ‘Virtual Family History Help Desk’. Just like our base at Central Library our Virtual Family History Help Desk will be available to assist members and non-members.

Perhaps over the lockdown you have had the chance to start your own family history research but are not sure how to continue? We are happy to help you with some advice and guidance in order for you to further your research. Or maybe you are already an avid family historian but have now become a bit stuck and have hit the proverbially ‘brickwall’. Perhaps you are one of our Help Desk regulars? Whatever your situation we are happy to help out so please get in touch!

We’re hoping that we will soon be able to offer you other alternatives to an email enquiry service, but for the moment it is small steps. You can contact us via this link: https://www.mlfhs.org.uk/contact/mail_hd.php

Leslie Turner, MLFHS Help Desk Co-ordinator

As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, many of us are still staying close to home and it’s more important than ever to stay connected with your loved ones. We hope Archives+ can help you to do this by publishing our popular memory boxes online which can be used as a starting point in discovering your family history, find out what their childhood was like, look back at the area where they grew up and maybe uncover some hidden gems in your family’s story.

Why not take this opportunity to find out about those important stories thus ensuring this history is passed on to the next generation, which can often get lost or put off for another day as we lead our busy lives. Sharing memories of days gone by can bring families closer together, listening to elderly relatives can be a comfort for families as they gain an insight into their life stories.

This week’s collection is a special edition called “Library City” and we’ll be taking a look at the magnificent libraries both past and present in Manchester City Centre. Below you will find a collection of images of some of the oldest and most beautiful libraries in the world, which are right here on our doorstep! Factsheets are included giving some information about these iconic buildings. Using these factsheets as prompts to start up a conversation, ask your relatives if they have any fond memories of visiting or studying in these libraries.

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

Resources:

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr photostream

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people

Factsheet 1: John Rylands Library and Portico Library Download

John Rylands Library, front elevation, Deansgate 1901

John Rylands Library, lecture hall, Deansgate 1955

Portico Library, Moseley Street. Opened as a newsroom and library 20th January 1806.

Portico Library, newsroom, Moseley Street 1938

Portico Library, interior, Moseley Street 1938

Factsheet 2: Chetham’s Library and Campfield Library Download

Childrens Hospital, Chethams Hospital library ‘The Wickets’, Manchester 1900

Chethams Library, Chethams Hospital School, Manchester 1950

Factsheet 3: King Street Reference Library and Piccadilly Library Download

Old Town Hall, later became King Street Reference Library, 1866

Reference Library, King Street, reading room from staff enclosure, 1900

Piccadilly Library (Temporary Central Library), Piccadilly Gardens 1914

Piccadilly Library, Technical Library, interior, Piccadilly Gardens 1922

Piccadilly Library, reading room, (Temporary Central Library), Piccadilly Gardens 1924

Piccadilly Library, Commercial Library, part of the reading room, Piccadilly Gardens 1924

Piccadilly Library (Temporary Central Library), Piccadilly Gardens 1929

Factsheet 4: Manchester Central Library Download

Manchester Central Library, St. Peters Square, a section through the building, 1934

Manchester Central Library Under Construction, St. Peters Square 1932

Manchester Central Library Royal Opening 1934

Aerial View of Manchester Central Library, St Peters Square 1934

Shakespeare Hall, Manchester Central Library 1934

The Reading Girl Statue, Manchester Central Library 1960

Reading Room, Manchester Central Library 1934

The Stacks – Central Library 2010

Lifelibrary – Central Library 2007

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Library City. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

As the lockdown begins to ease, many of us are still feeling some isolation from our loved ones. We hope Archives+ can help you to stay in touch by publishing our popular memory boxes online which can be used as a starting point in discovering your family history, finding out what your family’s childhood was like, looking back at the area where they grew up, discovering their fondest childhood memories and maybe uncover some hidden gems in your family’s story.

Whilst many children are off school and some adults are at home, why not take this opportunity to find out about those important stories thus ensuring this history is passed on to the next generation which can often get lost or put off for another day as we lead our busy lives. Sharing memories of days gone by can bring families closer together, listening to elderly relatives can be a comfort for families as they gain an insight into their life stories.

Each week Archives+ will publish a memory box for an area in Manchester, this week our archive collections cover Didsbury. Below you will find a collection of images from Didsbury, alongside 6 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 6 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes, Radical Thinking, and Communities. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.

In addition to this blog, the online memory box will be published on the Archives+ Facebook page. Dig out your old photos too, these can also be a brilliant resource to trigger fond memories of family times.We encourage you to share your findings on social media, either as comments on our Facebook page or on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ArchivesPlusMemorybox

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

Resources:

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people

Didsbury Memories: Worksheet 1 IndustryDownload

Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester 1908

(1103/119) e01 Mr. Woodall recounts where he was born on Lapwing Lane and his father’s shoemaking business. “… it was a shoe shop and GPO office, Post Office, this part was called Albert Park.”
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Wilmslow Road/Parrswood Road, East Didsbury 1959

Graham’s Garage, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury 1967

Healds Diary, William Street, Didsbury 1959

(1103/119) e02 Mr. Woodall talks about his family connections to Didsbury “…there’s a chemist shop in Didsbury village, corner of Oak Street…his father, my grandfather, he built them…”
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Didsbury Memories: Worksheet 2 PlaceDownload

Didsbury Railway Station and Memorial Tower, Wilmsow Road 1895

The Parsonage, House of Fletcher Moss, Didsbury 1890

Didsbury Library, Wilmslow Road 1915 (Carnegie funded library, opened Saturday 15 May 1915)

Greystoke Residential Home for female students, Mersey Road, Didsbury 1974 (Marie Louise Bagshawe lived here before her death in 1891 – see Marie Louise Gardens)

Police Station, Didsbury Village, Wilmslow Road 1974

Tram Terminus, Palatine Road, West Didsbury 1910

Didsbury Memories: Worksheet 3 PastimesDownload

Marie Louise Gardens, West Didsbury 1906 (gifted to the people of Manchester in 1903 by Josephine Silkenstadt in memory of her daughter Marie Louise)

The Capitol Cinema (ABC TV Studios/Manchester Polytechnic), Didsbury 1959

Didsbury Library, Junior Library, Manchester 1972

Didsbury Cricket Club, Wilmslow Road, East Didsbury 1967

Northern Tennis Club, West Didsbury, 1953 (One of the oldest lawn tennis clubs in the UK)

Didsbury Memories: Worksheet 4 Health and Living ConditionsDownload

Lansdowne House, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury 1959

(1103/22) Mrs. Arnold looks back at her life in domestic service; she moved from one household to Lansdowne House in Didsbury “…the cook when she got married…I took her place as cook and got a bedroom to myself for the first time in my life.”
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Grenfell Road, junction with Grove Lane, Eversley Road and Springdale Gardens, Didsbury 1973

Didsbury Memories: Worksheet 5 Radical ThinkingDownload

John Edward Taylor, editor and proprietor of the “Manchester Guardian” from 1861 till 1871 and proprietor till 1905 – owned the largest residence in Didsbury, “The Towers”

Shirley Institute, Didsbury 1900 (The first meeting to build the ship canal was held here, it was then called “The Towers”)

Daniel Adamson, purchased “The Towers” in 1874. Adamson instigated a meeting in his home at which the decision to construct the Manchester Ship Canal was taken. Main champion of the Manchester Ship Canal, chairman of the provisional committee promoting it.

In 1920 “The Towers” was purchased by the British Cotton Industry Research Association and named it the Shirley Institute after the daughter of a Stockport Member of Parliament, William Greenwood.

Lawnhurst, Wilmslow Road west side, Didsbury 1959 (Built for Henry Simon, father of Lord Simon of Wythenshawe)

Sir Ernest Darwin Simon, moved to Lawnhurst at the age of 13. Lord and Lady Simon purchased Wythenshawe Hall and park from the Tatton family and gifted it to the city of Manchester in 1926.

Didsbury Memories: Worksheet 6 CommunitiesDownload

St James’ Church, Didsbury, Manchester 1901 (medieval origins, second oldest church in Manchester with parts dating back to 1275)

Beaver Road School, Didsbury, Manchester 1967

Synagogue on right of picture, Queenston Road, West Didsbury 1974

St Catherine of Siena, Roman Catholic Church, School Lane, Didsbury 1962

Hollies F.C.J. Grammar School, Mersey Road, Didsbury 1967 (School on Right in Fielden Park)

Albert Park Chapel, West Didsbury, Manchester 1905

Fielden Park Youth Centre, Barlow Moor Road, West Didsbury 1973

(1103/474) e01 Mr. Lancashire is asked about the Palatine Road area; he recalls doctors, the school he attended – Broomfield – and the people who lived there, including Jewish and Armenian families, as well as synagogues in the area.
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Didsbury. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

As the lockdown continues to ease, many of us are still feeling some isolation from our loved ones. We hope Archives+ can help you to stay in touch by taking a look at our popular online memory boxes which can be used as a starting point in discovering your family history, finding out what your family’s childhood was like, looking back at the area where they grew up, discovering their fondest childhood memories and maybe uncover some hidden gems in your family’s story.

Each week Archives+ will publish a memory box for an area in Manchester, this week our archive collections cover Harpurhey. Below you will find a collection of images from Harpurhey, alongside 6 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 6 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes, Radical Thinking, and Communities. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.

In addition to this blog, the online memory box will be published on the Archives+ Facebook page. Dig out your old photos too, these can also be a brilliant resource to trigger fond memories of family times.We encourage you to share your findings on social media, either as comments on our Facebook page or on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ArchivesPlusMemorybox

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

Resources:

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people

Harpurhey Memories: Worksheet 1 IndustryDownload

New Day Furniture Shop, Rochdale Road (West Side), Harpurhey 1968

Conran Street Post Office, Middlewood Street from Conran Street facing south, Harpurhey 1968 (closed and derelict by 1972)

Conran Street Indoor Market, Harpurhey 1972

2-10 Queens Road and small shop adjoining Viaduct 1906

(1103/52) e01 Mrs. Watson talks about her mother’s family who lived in the Harpurhey area and ran a successful off licence and grocers.
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Harpurhey Memories: Worksheet 2 PlaceDownload

Queens Park Museum and Art Gallery, Manchester 1890 (built in 1884)

Hendham Hall, where the present museum in Queens Park stands 1880 (demolished in 1880)

Entrance to Manchester General Cemetery, Rochdale Road west side, Harpurhey 1958

Harpurhey Road, Central Avenue, construction of bridge over River Irk 1910

Mary Taylors House, Harpurhey 1910 (Now Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home)

Aerial View, Harpurhey, Christ Church, Rochdale Road, Manchester 1926

Harpurhey Memories: Worksheet 3 PastimesDownload

Harpurhey Baths, Rochdale Road east side 1958 (now an exhibition space attached to UCEN Manchester)

Harpurhey Baths, School Swimming Tuition, Manchester 1952

Albert Memorial Church, Whit Walk, Harpurhey 1910

(1103/52) e02 Mrs. Watson remembers her mother joining a clothing club to buy outfits for Whit Week “…we always had to have new clothes at Whitsun…”
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Harpurhey Library 1977. There is a famous photo of the Buzzcocks standing in front of this spectacular wallpaper, taken in 1977 by Jill Furmanovsky. The image is said to be inspiration for their track “Fiction Romance”.

Cintra Cinema which later became The Northern Club, Rochdale Road, No’s 835, 841, 843, west side, Harpurhey 1968

OH/2731 Brian Horsfall attended Burgess Street school in Harpurhey just after the Second World War. He talks about the lack of sports equipment there. He was playing for Queens Park Juniors boys team at the time. He tells the story of missing a semi-final because he was asked to go to a trial with Manchester United.

Harpurhey Memories: Worksheet 4: Health and Living ConditionsDownload

Ogden Street (site of intended New Road to Crumpsall), Ogden’s Court, Harpurhey 1910

Child Clinic, Westmoreland Street, Harpurhey 1968

Beech Mount Maternity Home, Rochdale Road, Harpurhey 1968

Corwen Avenue from Leyland Street, facing South, Harpurhey 1968

Clinic from Sunderland Street facing south, Harpurhey nd

Harpurhey Baths and Wash House, Rochdale Road, Harpurhey 1970

(1103/272(1)) e01 Mrs. Lester recalls the public wash houses “…we used to go in there and wash…it used to be sixpence for an hour…”
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Harpurhey Memories: Worksheet 5 Radical ThinkingDownload

Paul Graney built up a unique archive of biography, oral history, radio and folk music from the 1950s to the 1980s. He was involved in the anti-fascist movement and sabotaged a British Union of Fascists (BUF) rally held in Queens Park in the early 1930s.

GRANEY.1021.1 Paul Graney was involved in the anti-fascist movement in the 1930s. Oswald Mosley appeared at a big rally by in Queen’s Park in the early 1930s. Paul explains how he and his anti-fascist colleagues successfully cut the wires to Mosley’s speakers and goes on to describe his injuries from the fight that followed.

Carisbrook Street, from Ventnor Street, Harpurhey 1968. Anthony Burgess, writer and composer, was born in Harpurhey 1917 and lived at Carisbrook Street.

Sunderland Street from Carisbrook Street facing north, Harpurhey 1968

National Union of Sheet Metal Workers and Coppersmiths, Manchester Branch no 2 district, Rochdale Road, Harpurhey 1968

Harpurhey Memories: Worksheet 6 CommunitiesDownload

Christ Church, Rochdale Road, east side, Harpurhey 1958

Christ Church School, (C of E – mixed and infants) Rochdale Road, east side, Harpurhey 1958

Congregational Church, Independent order of Rechabites, Rochdale Road, east side, Harpurhey 1958

Harpurhey High School for Girls, Church Lane, Harpurhey 1972

Union Baptist Chapel, Conran Street West Side, Harpurhey 1959

Harpurhey Technical High School Manchester 1962

Holy Trinity Primary School, Moston Lane North Side, Harpurhey 1959

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Harpurhey. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, eight of the city’s libraries will reopen on Saturday 4 July. We’ve missed our customers very much during these last few months and to celebrate the phased reopening we thought you might like to take a look back at our branch libraries. We hope our popular online memory boxes can help you to stay in touch with each other, using them as a starting point in discovering your family’s history, finding out what your family’s childhood was like and maybe uncover some hidden gems.

Below you will find a collection of images from the branch libraries in Manchester, alongside 3 worksheets. The worksheets focus on one aspect from North, Central and South area libraries. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

Resources:

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people

THE ORIGINALS

First branch library to open – Hulme Branch 23 November 1857

Second branch library to open – Ancoats Branch 7 December 1857

Third branch library to open – Rochdale Road Branch 4 June 1860

Fourth branch library to open – Chorlton and Ardwick 6 October 1866

NORTH AREA LIBRARIES

North Area Libraries: Worksheet 1 Browne Issue systemDownload

Building of Abraham Moss 1972 – Crumpsall Library

Crumpsall Library 1974 (Now called **Abraham Moss** **Library**)

Crumpsall Library, junior library 1975 (Now called **Abraham Moss** **Library**)

Higher Blackley Library Opening 1982 (Replaced by **Avenue** **Library**)

Junction Rochdale Road/Victoria Avenue 1962 – **Avenue** **Library** is situated here

Beswick Library was housed in The Bobbin pub on Grey Mare Lane – photo 1978 (Beswick Library is now a modern glass-fronted library sharing a building with East Manchester Academy)

Miles Platting 1978 (Now **Miles Platting Community Library** based in Victoria Mill Community Centre)

Opening of Newton Heath Cultural Centre 1979 (Now called **Newton Heath Library**)

New Moston Library 1991 (Now called **New Moston Community Library**)

Harpurhey Library 1977 (Replaced by **North City** **Library**)

CENTRAL AREA LIBARIES

Central Area Libraries: Worksheet 2 School VisitsDownload

Levenshulme Library 1910 (The library moved to **Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre**)

Gorton West Free Library 1906 – one of the original 12 free branch libraries (**Gorton Library** is now on Garratt Way)

Hulme Library 1970 (Replaced by **Hulme High Street Library**)

Hulme Library, Adult lending, 1st floor 1965

Manchester Corporation Rates Offices, Longsight Library 1955

Longsight Library 1983 (St. John’s Primary School in Longsight Library)

Moss Side Shopping Centre – Moss Side Precinct Library 1977

Moss Side Precinct Library opening 1980 (**replaced by Moss Side Powerhouse Library**)

SOUTH AREA LIBRARIES

South Area Libraries: Worksheet 3 Vinyl RecordsDownload

Barlow Moor Library opening 1988 (Now **Barlow Moor Community Library** based in Barlow Moor Community Association)

Brookway High School, Altrincham Road 1971 (Now **Brooklands Library**, based in Manchester Health Academy)

Burnage District Library 1962 (Replaced by Burnage Library)

New Burnage Library to open in 1973 (Now called **Burnage Library, Activity and Information Hub**)

Chorlton’s new free library – the opening ceremony – Manchester City News 7 Nov 1914

Wilbraham Library 1973 (renamed Fallowfield Cultural Centre in 1983, now a community library called **The Place at Platt Lane**)

Opening of Fallowfield Cultural Centre 1983 (now a community library called **The Place at Platt Lane**)

Wythenshawe Library, Leningrad Square 1972 (Now called **Forum Library**)

Wythenshawe Library, children’s library 1972 (Now called **Forum Library**)

Wythenshawe Library, Record Library 1972 (Now called **Forum Library**)

Northenden Library 1986 – prefab on Church Road (Now **Northenden Community Library**, based in Parkway Green House)

Rackhouse Library, shop window display 1965

Education Precinct Library opening, Oxford Road 1973

MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE

Mobile Library, Central Library, Library Van, no date

Mobile Library, Gorton, Holywell Street from Sussex Street, facing East 1964

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of the branch libraries. More neighbourhood areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, many of us are still feeling some isolation from our loved ones. We hope Archives+ can help you to stay in touch by taking a look at our popular online memory boxes which can be used as a starting point in discovering your family history, finding out what your family’s childhood was like, looking back at the area where they grew up, discovering their fondest childhood memories and maybe uncover some hidden gems. Sharing memories of days gone by can bring families closer together, listening to elderly relatives can be a comfort for families as they gain an insight into their life stories.

Each week Archives+ will publish a memory box for an area in Manchester, this week our archive collections cover Moss Side. Below you will find a collection of images from Moss Side, alongside 6 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 6 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes, Radical Thinking, and Communities. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

Resources:

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr

Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre and Education Trust

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people

Moss Side Memories: Worksheet 1 IndustryDownload

Claremont Road, south side, no.s 64 – 68 corner Park Avenue, Moss Side 1962

Greame Street, south side, no 116, Moss Side 1962

no 53 bus route, Cecil Street, Moss Lane East 1962

Youngers Kestral Lager Brewery, Raby Street, Moss Side 1980

Princess Road, east side, from Claremont Road to Alison Street 1967

Princess Road west side left hand side from Raby Street to New Lorne Street, 1967

Moss Side Memories: Worksheet 2 PlaceDownload

Princess Road/Moss Lane East, accident between tram and lorry, Moss Side 1906

Originally Manchester Corporation Tramways depot/later used by Stagecoach as bus depot, Princess Road, Moss Side – image taken in 1967

Maine Road from Ebberstone Street to Claremont Road. Manchester City Football Club, Moss Side 1968

Moss Side Baths, Broadfield Road 1906 – Baths and Wash Houses

Alexandra Park Estate, Moss side (no date) – copyright Image Aviation

Moss Side Memories: Worksheet 3 Health and Living ConditionsDownload

66 Cowesby Street, Moss Side 1968 (Jannine and Gary Robertson)

Greame Street at Russell Street, Moss Side 1974

“Moss Side District Centre – view of new housing site” 1970

Granville Street – old terraces for new, taken from Greame Street, Moss Side 1974

Baths and Wash Houses, Moss Side Baths, Manchester, wash stalls 1906

Moss Side Memories: Worksheet 4 PastimesDownload

Moss Side Carnival – Alexandra Park, Moss Side 1972

Hideaway youth club, Sewerby Street, Moss Side – on site of Moss Side Baptist Church 1973

Wycliffe Cinema, Princess Road, Moss Side 1967

Temperance Billiard Hall, Moss Lane East at junction with Westwood Street 1905

The Reno Club and Nile Club, Princess Road, east side, from Moss Lane East 1967

Moss Side Memories: Worksheet 5 Radical ThinkingDownload

Elouise Edwards MBE was involved in many projects to help solve the problems faced by the African-Caribbean people of Manchester and was awarded an MBE for her amazing contribution.

Elouise Edwards Photographic Archive – *(From left to right) C. Robinson, Dorothy Kuya, and Kath Locke at a women’s conference organised by Black Women’s Mutual Aid at Princess Road Junior School in 1975*

Elouise Edwards Photographic Archive – Friendly gathering of women associated with the Manchester Black Women’s Co-op, n.d. (GB124.DPA/1742/15). Second left, Melanie Duncan, Barbara Duncan (holding a doll) and Paula Jones. The cards in the background were taken from a book geared specifically towards motivating Black children in the field of education. Title of book was “I want to be”.

Elouise Edwards Photographic Archive – Viviene, Manchester Black Women’s Co-op, 1978 (GB124.DPA/1742/1). Viviene, daughter of Rasheda (Pakistan) and Ossy (Jamaica) in 1978. She is seen here standing inside the premises of Manchester Black Women’s Co-op with a leaflet advertising a fund raising event to be held by Black Women’s Mutual Aid to raise funds for St. Ann’s Hospice where the late Ada Phillips and member of the MBWC died.

Emmeline Pankhurst, born in Moss Side (Sloane Street) 14 July 1858 founded the Women’s Social and Political Union, whose members (suffragettes) campaigned for women’s suffrage (the right to vote).

Moss Side Memories: Worksheet 6 CommunitiesDownload

St James Church and Rectory, Princess Road, Moss Side 1972

Princess Road School, Fingland Street, Moss Side 1977

Congregational church, Claremont Road, south side, from Granswick Street / Lloyd Street, Moss Side 1969

Webster County Junior & Infants School, Denmark Street, Lloyd Street, Moss Side 1974

Manchester Spiritualist Church, Raby Street junction with Moss Lane, Moss Side 1973

Welsh Church, Moss Lane, Moss Side 1906 – Church of Divine Mercy, Roman Catholic (Polish)

Great Western Street Methodist Church, Great Western Street, Moss Side 1960

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Moss Side. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

We hope Archives+ can help you to stay in touch with your loved ones by taking a look at our popular online memory boxes. These can be used as a starting point in discovering your family history, finding out what your family’s childhood was like, looking back at the area where they grew up, discovering their fondest childhood memories and maybe uncover some hidden gems. Sharing memories of days gone by can bring families closer together, listening to elderly relatives can be a comfort for families as they gain an insight into their life stories.

Each week Archives+ will publish a memory box for an area in Manchester, this week our archive collections cover Blackley. Below you will find a collection of images from Blackley, alongside 6 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 5 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes, and Communities, plus a Heaton Park worksheet. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

If you are unable to share your photos and stories online, when the libraries reopen fully, bring copies of your family memories into your local library. In the coming year we will produce an exhibition in your local library of selected submissions, shared both online and in person.

Resources:

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people

Blackley Memories: Worksheet 1 IndustryDownload

Old Market Street, Lion Street, Blackley 1958

Blackley Co-operative Society, Crab Lane, Blackley 1916

(1103/120) e01 Mr. Thornley remembers the shops on Crab Lane, including the grocer’s that his uncle owned.
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Old Market Street, Corner of Old Market Street/Warren Street, Blackley Village 1909

Post Office, Victoria Avenue, Blackley 1985

Blackley Memories: Worksheet 2 PlaceDownload

(1103/462) e01 In the late 1970s a History Workshop was set up to interview people about areas of Greater Manchester. In this extract a local resident shares his memories of the development of Higher Blackley, specifically the area around Victoria Avenue and the bridge.
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Blackley Public Library, Rochdale Road, east side, Blackley 1958

Booth Hall Hospital, Manchester, Main entrance from lodge, facing south 1969

Plant Hill Police Station, Blackley 1968

Lichford Hall, Blackley – later became the Convent of the Good Shepherd 1910

(1103/274(1)) e01 A sister at the Convent of the Good Shepherd describes how the school for younger girls was formed in response to the Children Act 1948; while the laundry operated to provide an income.
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Blackley Cemetery and Crematorium, Victoria Avenue, south side 1968

Rochdale Road Fire Station, Blackley 1964

(1103/101(2)) e02 Mrs. Collins and other local residents talk about how Crab Lane used to be called Old York Road and was frequented by highwayman Dick Turpin! “He actually stayed in the house over there!”. [Crab Lane House]
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Blackley Memories: Worksheet 3 Health and Living ConditionsDownload

(1103/101(2)) e01 Mrs. Collins recalls about the houses on Crab Lane and the bricks used to build them.
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Acre Top Road, Victoria Avenue, north side, Blackley 1959

Rochdale Road/Kerr Street, Blackley 1968

Victoria Avenue, north side, Blackley 1968

Blackley Memories: Worksheet 4 PastimesDownload

Blackley Band Room, Crab Lane, Blackley 1985

St Andrew’s Whitwalks, Whit Week, Blackley 1907

Rochdale Road/Victoria Avenue, Blackley 1966

CWS Cricket Ground facing south, Victoria Avenue East, Blackley 1969

Entrance to Boggart Hole Clough, Rochdale Road, east side, Blackley 1958

Blackley Memories: Worksheet 5 Heaton ParkDownload

Manchester Municipal School of Art organised a competition to produce pictorial posters for the Manchester Corporation Transport Department trams and buses between 1933 and 1934. In all, eighteen designs were used; the corporation paid the School of Art two guineas in order to use them. Their unusual shape was designed to fit on the back of the driver’s cab.

Heaton Hall, Heaton Park front view 1912

Heaton Park, Facade of the Old Town Hall 1919

Heaton Park on a Saturday afternoon 1906

(1103/662) e01 Mr. Diggle talks about his family background; his grandfather worked for Lord Wilton on the Heaton Park estate. “…my father and his brother’s were brought up at the grand lodge…”
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Blackley Memories: Worksheet 6 CommunitiesDownload

St Peters Church, Lion Brow, Blackley 1970

Crab Lane Primary School, Crab Lane, Blackley 1968

St. Andrews Church, Crab Lane, Blackley 1970

Zion Methodist Church, Crab Lane, Blackley 1985

Victoria Avenue Primary School, Victoria Avenue, south side, Blackley 1968

Calvary Full Gospel Mission, Victoria Avenue, Blackley 1968

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Blackley. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) runs from 18th July to 17th August 2020 and aims to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian history and culture, and build an understanding of the diverse heritage that continues to link UK with South Asia. This week’s online memory box takes a look at Rusholme and Victoria Park and celebrates the influence of South Asian culture in Manchester. The focus is on the Curry Mile area, with glimpses into the surrounding streets. More on Platt Fields will be included in a future memory box.

The memory boxes can be used as a starting point in discovering your family history, finding out what your family’s childhood was like, looking back at the area where they grew up, discovering their fondest childhood memories and maybe uncover some hidden gems. Sharing memories of days gone by can bring families closer together, listening to elderly relatives can be a comfort for families as they gain an insight into their life stories.

Below you will find a collection of images from Rusholme and Victoria Park, alongside 6 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 6 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes, Radical Thinking and Communities. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.

Dig out your old photos too, these can also be a brilliant resource to trigger fond memories of family times. We would love to expand our South Asian Heritage collection and welcome you to share your photographs and memories with us. Your findings can also be shared on social media, either as comments on our Facebook page or on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ArchivesPlusMemorybox

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

Resources:

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr

Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people

Rusholme Memories: Worksheet 1 IndustryDownload

Wilmslow Road, east side 66B, corner of Dickenson Road 1958

Wilmslow Road west side 10 – 1959 (Rusholme Cinema on left, Walter Carter Depository on right)

Claremont Road, from Wilmslow Road, south side 1973

Rusholme Memories: Worksheet 2 PlaceDownload

Tram Stage, Wilmslow Road 1910 (Bratt & Hobson were grocers and tea dealers)

Wilmslow Road, looking from Great Western Street to town 1912

Wilmslow Road, looking from Dickenson Road out of town, tram no 821 – 1922

Domestic and Trades College, Wilmslow Road, east side 91 – 1959

Rusholme Public Library, Dickenson Road west side 1962

BBC Television, Aylesford Road, off Dickenson Road 1970

Rusholme Memories: Worksheet 3 PastimesDownload

Trocadero Picture House, Wilmslow Road 1959

Temperance Billiard Halls Wilmslow Road west side 36, Orange Terrace 1959

Platt Fields, Pets Corner, Fallowfield 1973

Platt Fields, Boating Lake, Fallowfield 1973

Rusholme Memories: Worksheet 4 Health and Living ConditionsDownload

Wilmslow Road, east side 77, corner of Brighton Grove 1958

Wilmslow Road, east side 79, Appleby Lodge 1958

Rusholme Gardens service flats, Wilmslow Road west side 51- 1959

(1103/74) e01 Mr. Thornhill shares memories of a family home in Rusholme; his father was a plumber and he moved the bath from the kitchen “…he took it out and put it up in one of the box rooms…” However, this made the family overcrowded and a bedroom short!
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

British Medical Association’s Boyd House, Upper Park Road 1970

(1103/58) e03 Mrs. Filer talks about her grandmother, Mrs. Yates, who she believes started the first laundry in Rusholme.
Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

South Asian Heritage Month: Worksheet 5 Radical Thinking Download

Mukhtiar Singh Pardesi, Sarup’s elder brother. Mr Mukhtiar was the first turbanned Sikh in Manchester to join GMC as a bus conductor. Taken in February 1967. On reverse: Guardian Copyright.
GB124.DPA/1655/11

Newspaper cutting from the Daily Mirror dated 22 Feb 1967 focussing on Mr Mukhtiar as Manchester’s first turbanned conductor.
GB124.DPA/1655/12

Mukhtiar Singh, 2nd from right with three others. 1912/10 No Date
GB124.DPA/1912/10

Mukhtiar Singh sitting in college grounds. Taken 1959. 1912/1 1959
GB124.DPA/1912/1

Mukhtiar Singh photographed in Cotton Mill in Lancashire. 1912/6 No Date
GB124.DPA/1912/6

Mr Sarup Singh (Mukhtiar’s younger brother) as a one man bus driver, photographed while he is carrying out his duties in c.1979.
GB124.DPA/1655/15

Rusholme Memories: Worksheet 6 CommunitiesDownload

Regent House, later used by Xaverian College as Area School Dormitory, Lower Park Road corner of Regent Place 1956

Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Wilmslow Road west side 33 – 1959

Manchester Grammar School, Old Hall Lane 1959

Manchester High School for Girls, Grangethorpe Road, Wilmslow Road on left 1959

Trinity School, Summer Place, Rusholme 1973

Islamic Youth Movement HQ, Mosque, Upper Park Road 1976

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Rusholme and Victoria Park. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

As the lockdown continues to ease we hope Archives+ can help you to stay in touch by publishing our popular memory boxes online which can be used as a starting point in discovering your family history, finding out what your family’s childhood was like, looking back at the area where they grew up, discovering their fondest childhood memories and maybe uncover some hidden gems in your family’s story.

Whilst children are still off school and many adults remain at home, why not take this opportunity to find out about those important stories thus ensuring this history is passed on to the next generation which can often get lost or put off for another day as we lead our busy lives. Sharing memories of days gone by can bring families closer together, listening to elderly relatives can be a comfort for families as they gain an insight into their life stories.

Each week Archives+ will publish a memory box for an area in Manchester, this week’s online memory box takes a look at Longsight, with glimpses into the surrounding streets. Below you will find a collection of images from Longsight, alongside 5 worksheets. The worksheets are set around 5 themes: Industry, Place, Health and Living Conditions, Pastimes and Communities. Using the worksheets as prompts to start up a conversation, write down your findings on a piece of paper, or if you prefer type into a tablet or PC.

Dig out your old photos too, these can also be a brilliant resource to trigger fond memories of family times. We encourage you to share your findings on social media, either as comments on our Facebook page or on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ArchivesPlusMemorybox

Instagram manclib_archives

Twitter @archivesplus

Facebook @archivesplus

Resources:

Manchester Local Image Collection

Archives+ Flickr

NSPCC Staying safe online guide for children.

Age UK Staying safe online guide for older people

Longsight Memories: Worksheet 1 IndustryDownload

Interior of Daisy Works Mill, Stockport Road, Longsight 1932

Shahnaz Restaurant, Stockport Road, Longsight 1969

“Chell Street CPO area”, Longsight 1972 – Presumably Slade Lane

Longsight Memories: Worksheet 2 PlaceDownload

Aerial Views, Longsight, Stockport Road running across foreground, W H Powell Ltd Daisy Works, next to church, Manchester 1924

Stanley Grove, L and N W Ry Bridge, Longsight 1909

Stanley Grove from Stockport Road, looking towards North Road, Longsight 1925

Slade Hall, Longsight built in 1585 by George and Edward Siddall whose descendants owned the house until 1905 when it was bought by the L.N.W Railway Company, In 1954 it was a doctor’s surgery

Manchester Corporation Rates Offices, Longsight Library, Stockport Road, Longsight 1955

W and H Pownall Ltd (Hosiery Manufacturers), Daisy Works, Stockport Road (east side, 51), Longsight 1958

Longsight Public Hall and Library, Haley Street in 1982 when it was used by Longsight Community Association

Longsight Memories: Worksheet 3 PastimesDownload

Crowcroft Park, Longsight, The Bandstand, Manchester 1911

Shaftesbury Cinema, Stockport Road, Longsight 1958

Longsight Cricket Ground. Flats are off Bickerdike Avenue from south end, facing south, Bickerdike Avenue 1966

Billiard Hall, Slade Lane, Stockport Road end, Longsight 1971

Longsight Festival, 1979. Crowd Watching ‘It’s a Knockout’ in Front of Longsight Police Station 1979

Longsight Memories: Worksheet 4 Health and Living ConditionsDownload

(1103/66) e02 Mrs. Pearson recalls her father’s pharmacy in Longsight; the remedies he used, patent medicines sold and how he was more of a herbalist making his own drinks “Oh he made a fortune out of dandelion and burdock and herb beers…” Courtesy of Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre

Duncan Road from Hamilton Road, Longsight 1971

Longsight Memories: Worksheet 5 CommunitiesDownload

Baptist College Mission, Halsbury Street, Longsight 1900

Crowcroft Park Primary School, Longsight 1964

Stanley Grove County School, Parry Road, Rushford Street, Longsight 1965

St Agnes Birch, from Hamilton Road, Longsight 1971

St Agnes’ Primary School, from Beresford Road, Longsight 1971

The West Indian Centre, Carmoor Road, Longsight 1985

We hope you have enjoyed looking back at the photographs of Longsight. More areas will be covered each week and if you would like to see more images, don’t forget to check out the photograph albums on Flickr and the Manchester Local Image Collection .

Online Memory Box: Withington

Online Memory Box: Gorton

Online Memory Box: Beswick

Evacuation

Victory in Europe: Manchester Celebrates

Online Memory Box: Manchester City Centre

Online Memory Box: Wythenshawe

The “Spanish Flu” pandemic and Manchester

Online Memory Box: Levenshulme

Online Memory Box: Cheetham Hill

Life in a Time of Crisis

Virtual Family History Helpdesk

Online Memory Box: Library City

Online Memory Box: Didsbury

Online Memory Box: Harpurhey

Online Memory Box: Branch Libraries

Online Memory Box: Moss Side

Online Memory Box: Blackley

Online Memory Box: Rusholme and Victoria Park

Online Memory Box: Longsight