Snippets: ideas, news and the things people send in
Did you know that residents of Australia, which became a big market for Manchester's cotton products, still use the word 'manchester' as a generic term for non-clothing cotton items such as linen and towels? Much in the same was that 'china' is often used to refer to ceramics in general? Have a look at this recently-taken photograph of charitable premises in the New South Wales coastal town of Woy Woy.
At the plenary of the training day, Ellie Shenton related the story of Mr Wroe, his religious vision and his virgins. You'll be pleased to know his legacy lives on in Melbourne where there is still a Christian Israelite Community, with a Temple close by the Exhibition Gardens at Fitzroy
Richard Crossley has sent us a write-up of some research he did into Spring Mill and the cottage he grew up in, at Smallbridge, Rochdale. I wonder how many other similar stories there are out there? Click here to read it
"I am interested in this project, as my grandmother worked in one of the Blackburn Cotton Mills in the 1950s. I'm contacting my local group to see if anybody else is interested." Ian Kilshaw Knutsford U3A
"I was interested to see in the Sources Magazine that you are doing a shared learning project on Cottonopolis. Although I live in Portsmouth I was brought up in Mellor (now in Cheshire and/or Greater Manchester) but originally in Derbyshire. I was a weaver at Hollins Mill in the 1950"s and would be most interested to hear about your progress. Many of my ancestors worked at Oldknow's Mellor Mill and Strines Print works. I have just put together a short talk for Church Groups and others called Cotton and Me. It is mostly about the industry in North Cheshire and the Peak District and rivers and canals and how some of them relate to me and my family. It is not meant to be for academics, just entertaining. I do however believe that any "facts" are true." Beryl Shepherd
"I read with interest Tony Pearson's article in the Feb. issue of the U3A magazine Sources about "Cottonopolis - the first industrial city". You probably know about the Manchester School of economics which lead to the term Manchesterism. Wikipedia says "Manchester Liberalism, Manchester School, Manchester Capitalism, and Manchesterism are terms for the political, economic, and social movements of the 19th century that originated in Manchester, England. Led by Richard Cobden and John Bright, it won a wide hearing for its argument that free trade would lead to a more equitable society, making essential products available to all. Its most famous activity was the Anti-Corn Law League that called for repeal of the Corn Laws that kept food prices high. It expounded the social and economic implications of free trade and laissez-faire. The Manchester School took the theories of economic liberalism advocated by classical economists such as Adam Smith and made them the basis for government policy. The School also promoted pacifism, anti-slavery, freedom of the press, and separation of church and state." I first came across the term "Manchesterismus" when I worked in Germany during my summer university vacations where it seemed to me that it meant "Free Trade". Also, I am sure you know, that Manchester was allegedly the only city in the world to have a civil hall dedicated to a philosophical belief rather than an eminent or wealthy person; viz. The Free Trade Hall." Rolf Clayton
"I was interested to read in TAM of the research project Cottonopolis as I have carried out some research on Benjamin Rigby Murray as part of a Stewartry U3A Arts and Crafts Movement project. He was responsible for rebuilding a row of cottages in Arts and Crafts style in the village of Parton in Kirkcudbrightshire. The Connels and Murrays moved south from this part of the world at the time of the industrial revolution. This was the subject of a recent book "To grasp an opportunity" by W.D.Kennedy. A fascinating social history. Best wishes with your project." Colin Milligan