John started his talk in pre-Roman times with the salt roads from Cheshire to Yorkshire citing the present Slate Lane as part of such a route. The Romans possibly had a road through the present reservoirs, the area to the north of Audenshaw; Ashton Moss was un-passable until modern times. Mediaeval roads from Manchester to Ashton, both market towns passed to the south of the Moss, and toll roads some private were described. The canals were built followed and superseded by the many railways, Audenshaw with four stations, although only a bit of Guide Bridge station is in the town. We then were shown pictures of horse drawn trams superseded by electric trams and then trolley buses, and finally petrol buses. The motorway has had the greatest effect on the town splitting it into two isolated areas. John finished by giving the very large number of people carried by cars and trains which pass through the town each day contrasting this with the perhaps five or six pack animals per month carrying salt to Yorkshire in earlier times.
Transport in Audenshaw
John Newton 30 June 2009
John Newton 30 June 2009
Following the demise of our meeting place, coupled with the fact that Alice kindly stepped in as a late substitute for the booked speaker, it is gratifying to report that an excellent meeting was held. Many members know Alice from her work at the local history library in Ashton, and she presented us with a very interesting and informative selection of peoples reminiscences recorded by the library. The people concerned were mainly talking about life in the area in the 1920s and 30s, with some of the recordings going back to the 1970s. In between the recordings, the background to the place being talked about or the occupation of the speaker helped to put their spoken words into context. Among the items spoken about were education (or the avoidance of it!), children’s chores and the cleaning that was carried out in anticipation of Sunday, housing, food, clothing and health. A transcript was made available which helped with some of the “jargon” which was used, particularly by a canal boatman, who ended the presentation by relating two stories about suicides on the canal – and how much was received for retrieving bodies – much more in Cheshire than in Lancashire. This was an interesting and entertaining presentation which underlined just how much life has changed in the past seventy years.
Oral Reminiscences of Old Tameside
Alice Lock 28th September 2009
Alice Lock 28th September 2009
Members were treated to a presentation which showed the way in which the baths have been in part restored since the winning of the “Restoration” TV contest. Mr. Bonner started by outlining a brief history of the baths – opened in 1906 with 3 swimming pools, 1st Class Male, 2nd Class Male and Female (with the water being reused in that order), Turkish baths and a washhouse.
The baths were closed in 1993 and work on restoring them has been going on ever since and will do so for a considerable length of time although Phase one is now complete. Much of this phase has been concerned with the renewal and restoration of the stained glass which is a major feature of the baths. Owing to the fact that the windows were boarded up much of the original glass remains and this has been used as the basis of the work. One area of glass in one of the pay offices, part of the internal structure, had been painted a dark brown to match the woodwork – this has now been cleaned up.
Mr. Bonner showed slides of “before and after” view of several of the windows and gave us an insight into the techniques used by the stained glass artist.
Recently the baths, especially the basement area, have been used by television production companies and the Contact Theatre Company have staged a productio0n in the (empty) 1st class pool. Mr Bonner finished by telling the members about the open days which are run during the summer months and invited us to visit the baths to see the work which had been carried out for ourselves. A evening which showed what can be done with determination and effort and, through winning Restoration, nearly £4 million pounds.
The baths were closed in 1993 and work on restoring them has been going on ever since and will do so for a considerable length of time although Phase one is now complete. Much of this phase has been concerned with the renewal and restoration of the stained glass which is a major feature of the baths. Owing to the fact that the windows were boarded up much of the original glass remains and this has been used as the basis of the work. One area of glass in one of the pay offices, part of the internal structure, had been painted a dark brown to match the woodwork – this has now been cleaned up.
Mr. Bonner showed slides of “before and after” view of several of the windows and gave us an insight into the techniques used by the stained glass artist.
Recently the baths, especially the basement area, have been used by television production companies and the Contact Theatre Company have staged a productio0n in the (empty) 1st class pool. Mr Bonner finished by telling the members about the open days which are run during the summer months and invited us to visit the baths to see the work which had been carried out for ourselves. A evening which showed what can be done with determination and effort and, through winning Restoration, nearly £4 million pounds.
Victoria Baths
Neil Bonner 26th October 2009
Neil Bonner 26th October 2009
Underground Manchester
Keith Warrender 25 January 2010
Keith Warrender 25 January 2010
For the first meeting of the New Year members were treated to an interesting presentation on some of the tunnels and caverns which exist below Manchester by Mr. Warrender who is the author of two books on the subject.
The first type of tunnels which he discussed were the canal tunnels – the Manchester and Salford Junction Canal which mainly ran through a tunnel from the River Irwell and which was, unlike most canal tunnels, lit (by gas). This tunnel was used, after draining, as an air-raid shelter during the second world war. Another canal tunnel, which connected with the River Medlock, was known as the Dukes Tunnel. Many of the tunnels which were discussed seemed to have no obvious reason for their existence but the photographs showed that they, in the main, exhibited a high standard of workmanship. The tunnels below Victoria Station, culverting the River Irk, were seen to remain in good condition. The Victoria Arches, again used as shelters in the second world war, were described in some detail as was the involvement of one William Connell in the discovery of some of the artefacts found under Manchester. Speculation about the existence of a tunnel running under Deansgate was discussed. The presentation finished with an audiovisual sequence about the “Guardian” tunnel system built during the cold war as part of the system for protecting the communications in Britain in the event of a nuclear war. A very interesting evening, with high quality photographs and commentary, was concluded with a short discussion session.
The first type of tunnels which he discussed were the canal tunnels – the Manchester and Salford Junction Canal which mainly ran through a tunnel from the River Irwell and which was, unlike most canal tunnels, lit (by gas). This tunnel was used, after draining, as an air-
Mrs. Bradshaw’s third visit to the society lived up to our expectations as she again took us back in history and evoked our own memories of sweets.
She described the way in which the history of sweetmeats and confectionary in general had developed from the roman use of honey, through the sugared almonds of the 12th century and the marchpain, also based on almonds, leading to the herbal use of sweets as curealls in the 17th Century. Sugared almonds are still popular, of course, and in France are still given as gifts to wedding guests. The way in which these are presented to children who go to history days at Tatton Park was described with some interesting, and funny, anecdotes. How the various sweets can be manufactured by the children, while avoiding the actual ingredients used in the past, was detailed and examples of what can be produced were shown. The history of sweets and the use of refined sugar was extended into the 20th century and the experience of Mrs Bradshaw in making lollipops from boiled toffee was most amusing. The fact that the North West of England led the way in the manufacture of boiled sweets, many of which are still available, was underlined by the listing of many familiar sweets.
Again a most interesting and amusing presentation from Mrs. Bradshaw.
She described the way in which the history of sweetmeats and confectionary in general had developed from the roman use of honey, through the sugared almonds of the 12th century and the marchpain, also based on almonds, leading to the herbal use of sweets as curealls in the 17th Century. Sugared almonds are still popular, of course, and in France are still given as gifts to wedding guests. The way in which these are presented to children who go to history days at Tatton Park was described with some interesting, and funny, anecdotes. How the various sweets can be manufactured by the children, while avoiding the actual ingredients used in the past, was detailed and examples of what can be produced were shown. The history of sweets and the use of refined sugar was extended into the 20th century and the experience of Mrs Bradshaw in making lollipops from boiled toffee was most amusing. The fact that the North West of England led the way in the manufacture of boiled sweets, many of which are still available, was underlined by the listing of many familiar sweets.
Again a most interesting and amusing presentation from Mrs. Bradshaw.
Sweet Memories
Janet Bradshaw 22nd February 2010
Janet Bradshaw 22nd February 2010