Hello dear readers, As someone who is deeply passionate about research and storytelling, I want this blog to be as much yours as it is mine, a space for curiosity, connection, and uncovering the threads of local history, sustainability, culture, and literature. Do you have a memory of Gee Cross or Hyde that you’ve never… Read More what would you like to see more of on the blog?
Nestled on the north-western edge of Gee Cross in Hyde, Greater Manchester, Gower Hey Wood is a tranquil woodland known for its rich biodiversity and historical significance. Beyond its natural beauty however, the wood is linked to local folklore, most notably the legend of the Gower Hey Boggart, a mischievous spirit said to have haunted… Read More the boggart of gower hey wood: a tale from gee cross folklore
Hyde, once a bustling mill town nestled in the Tameside borough of Greater Manchester, played a significant role in Britain’s Industrial Revolution. Its red-brick chimneys and clattering looms were not only the soundtrack of progress but also the backdrop for stories of hardship, endurance, and resilience. Amidst this clamour, voices rose, quietly at first, then… Read More voices from the mills: the poets of hyde’s cotton industry
Nestled in the heart of the village of Gee Cross, Joel Lane is a road steeped in both history and character. While today it is a quiet, residential area, the lane’s name and the area surrounding it carry a wealth of historical significance. This article explores the history of Joel Lane, its roots in the… Read More joel lane, gee cross: a glimpse into the history of a hyde landmark
In an age marked by rapid technological change, global unrest, and a persistent ache for meaning, the voice of the poet feels more urgent than ever. We live in a time where artificial intelligence writes headlines, climate disasters displace millions, and war is no longer history; it is livestreamed. Amongst all of this, the poet… Read More the modern-day poet: speaking light into a darkened world
The Industrial Revolution, beginning in the late 18th century, transformed the fabric of society, bringing about unprecedented advances in machinery, urbanisation, and economic growth. But beneath the hum of steam engines and the rise of smokestacks, poets heard something else: the wail of displaced workers, the mechanisation of the human spirit, and the loss of… Read More poetry and the industrial revolution: verse against the machine
I am drawn to poetry in all its forms, whether a simple quote, a line of spoken word, or a verse that breaks free from convention. Poetry speaks to me with an immediacy and emotional force that few other mediums can match. Words hold power, and I am especially intrigued by how poetry has long… Read More Poetry and revolution: the voice of fire in the human heart
From government buildings to great works of art, the visual and symbolic language of ancient Greece and Rome continues to resonate in Western culture. Known as classical symbolism, this tradition draws on the classical world’s myths, ideals, and imagery to express complex ideas about virtue, justice, identity, and power. Far from being relics of the… Read More CLASSICAL SYMBOLISM: THE ENDURING LANGUAGE OF ANTIQUITY
The Chartist movement, which swept across Britain between 1838 and 1857, is often remembered for its petitions, protests, and political demands and chief among them, universal male suffrage and parliamentary reform. But beyond speeches and signatures, Chartism was also a cultural force, giving rise to a rich body of artistic expression that reflected, reinforced, and… Read More chartism & art: imagining justice through visual culture
In the turbulent landscape of 19th-century Britain, Chartism emerged as the first mass political movement driven by the working class. Between 1838 and 1857, millions of people rallied behind the People’s Charter, demanding sweeping political reforms including universal male suffrage, secret ballots, and parliamentary representation for all. Yet while Chartism was rooted in economic hardship… Read More Chartism and the poetry of shelley: revolution in words and deeds
Rachel Bakewell 