Entries by Chris Ainsworth
THE “PETERLOO MASSACRE”
THE “PETERLOO MASSACRE” Blessed with good weather, 20 SPAG members visited the site of Manchester’s “Peterloo Massacre” of 16 August 1819. The walking tour started with an explanation of the politics of the time, revealing the British government’s genuine fear of revolution, coinciding with the adverse effects on workers of the Corn Laws and a […]
JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY, DEANSGATE, MANCHESTER
JOHN RYLANDS LIBRARY, DEANSGATE, MANCHESTER The magnificent neo-gothic John Rylands Library on Deansgate, Manchester, was the venue for a visit by 20 members of SPAG. The library (now officially known as John Rylands Research Institute and Library) is celebrating its 125th anniversary of opening, and had some of its most treasured items on display. […]
A Visit to Lancashire Archives
A Visit to Lancashire Archives by Chris Ainsworth An ancient royal grant, an illustrated medieval “Book of Hours” and several items relating to recent SPAG events were on show at Lancashire Archives (and Public Record Office) in Preston. Twenty SPAG members enjoyed a welcome hot drink and presentation by Vicci, Lead Engagement Archivist, followed by […]
A Walk around “Historic Haslingden”
A Walk around “Historic Haslingden” A thousand years of history was covered as 16 SPAG members took part in a walk around Haslingden, also taking in many “blue plaques” in the town with their associated stories. Outside what is now St James’ parish church, we saw the oldest artefact of the day: a double-socketed cross […]
Chetham’s Library Tour
SPAG members enjoyed a guided tour on 17 November 2023 around a 600-year-old site in Manchester’s medieval quarter, and spent time in the building that would one day become “Chetham’s Library,” said to be the “oldest public library in the English-speaking world.” The original medieval building was built (to house the priests for the church […]
Tour of Manchester Victoria
The grade 2-listed Manchester Victoria station was the venue for a SPAG tour of the station’s memorials and buildings on 17 November 2023, and for a reminder about the history of how the railway network developed in the north of England. Starting at the original 1843 Italianate station on Hunts Bank – re-named that year […]
The Vernacular Architecture of Hebden Bridge
Hebden Old Bridge Calderdale guide David Cant led our SPAG group on an interesting and enjoyable – if wet – tour of a selection of vernacular buildings and industrial archaeology of Hebden Bridge. Starting in St George’s Square, we saw a sculpture (which doubles as a sundial gnomon) of a “fustian knife,” fustian […]
Martholme House Visit
Martholme On the sunny afternoon of 24 May 2023, 15 members of SPAG enjoyed a guided tour of family-owned Martholme House (Grade I listed), its gatehouse and crow-stepped entrance arch (both grade II* listed), expertly guided by a family member. Martholme: the arched door on the left of the picture once led into the now […]