In the early 19th century, as the Industrial Revolution surged through Britain, not everyone welcomed the wave of change. In towns like Hyde—particularly the hillside village of Gee Cross—anxiety and unrest grew among skilled textile workers. These men and women had spent years mastering their crafts, only to see new machines threaten their livelihoods. Out… Read More the luddites & gee cross: resistance in the age of industry
The history of Greater Manchester is layered and complex, but one often-overlooked aspect of its administrative past is the Salford Hundred — a term that once defined a vast and influential region in south-east Lancashire, long before the modern city boundaries we know today. What Was a ‘Hundred’? In medieval England, a hundred was an… Read More the salford hundred: a forgotten division of northern england
The Ashton family has already been a significant focus of my previous writings, however I do believe it is crucial to look further and contextualise their role in the development of Gee Cross and Hyde, as well as their contribution to the textile industry. The Ashtons were instrumental in shaping the economic and industrial landscape… Read More the growth to gentry for the ashton family
Lancashire Dialect Poetry: The People’s Voice in Verse captures the raw, and heartfelt spirit of everyday life through the words and rhythms of the people themselves. I’m endlessly fascinated by dialect poetry because it preserves the unique sounds, expressions, and humour of a place and time often overlooked in mainstream literature. It’s more than just… Read More lancashire dialect poetry: the people’s voice in verse
My research uncovered a window on a regional economic disaster caused by globalisation This article is by Simon Rennie November 17, 2016 In spring 2015 I was in the market for a new literary research project when I heard a Radio 4 “In Our Time” broadcast about the Lancashire Cotton Famine of 1861-65. One of the… Read More Forgotten poetry of the Lancashire cotton famine
I have been taking a look at a book called Lancashire Mill Town Traditions by W.R. Mitchell. The book is “based mainly on the heartland of Lancashire, in and the towns…” Manchester, Victoria, Bolton, Accrington, Blackburn, Burnley, Nelson and Colne. The introduction talks about the author’s views about “the voices of the older Lancashire folk… Read More Lancashire Mill Towns
1ST JULY 2019 BY KATIE A textile artist whose work is inspired by the Lancashire cotton industry. My name is Katie, a Lancashire Lass. Share my Stitchery journeys through Patchwork & Quilting, Embroidery, Felting, and the wonderful exhibitions I visit throughout the year. — ARNOLD’S ATTIC — Arnold’s family worked in the Lancashire textile mills for generations. I’m now custodian… Read More The First Day in the Mill – Lancashire Dialect
Rachel Bakewell 