On the evening of January 3, 1831, Thomas Ashton, a 24-year-old mill manager from Hyde, Greater Manchester, was fatally shot while out walking from his residence at Pole Bank to Apethorn Mill. This act of violence occurred during a period of significant social and economic upheaval in England, marked by the Industrial Revolution and the… Read More the murder of thomas ashton: a tragic chapter in industrial england
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
During the height of the suffragette movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, poetry played a vital—though often underappreciated—role in both articulating protest and nurturing solidarity. While much attention is given to marches, arrests, and political speeches, the era was also rich with verse: lyrical, angry, hopeful, and deeply personal. Poetry was not… Read More voices of defiance: poetry in the suffragette movement
(Disclaimer below) Growing up in a country where Catholicism is deeply embedded in both public life and private rituals, it’s almost impossible not to be shaped—visually, emotionally, and culturally—by its symbolism. From childhood baptisms to funeral masses, the Catholic imagination permeates everyday life in ways both subtle and profound. For many artists, including myself and… Read More the power and weight of catholic symbolism
Artist: George Frederic WattsDate: Circa 1848–1850Medium: Oil on canvasLocation: Tate Britain, LondonDimensions: 864 × 508 mm About the Painting Found Drowned portrays the lifeless body of a young woman washed up under a bridge in the River Thames. The setting is dark and desolate. The figure lies draped in wet, clinging fabric. A faint city… Read More found drowned (1848-1850) – george frederic watts
There’s something so evocative about the phrase “threads of memory.” I love how it captures the way fabric can hold stories, a narrative—whether it’s a scrap of cloth from a loved one’s garment or a hand-stitched detail that has been passed down through generations. It reminds me that textiles are not just materials; they’re keepers… Read More threads of memory: the connection between storytelling textiles & heritage-driven design
Chapbooks, are small in size but rich in history, they are humble booklets that have played a surprisingly significant role in the spread of literature, folklore, and political ideas for centuries. Originally inexpensive pamphlets were sold by travelling peddlers or “chapmen” from the 16th to the 19th centuries, chapbooks brought stories, songs, poems, and popular… Read More chapbooks: a pocket-sized legacy of literature & culture
Ley lines, those enigmatic, straight alignments connecting ancient sites—have long fascinated historians, mystics, and curious minds alike. In Hyde and the broader Greater Manchester region, these lines weave a tapestry of history, myth, and mystery that continues to captivate. What Are Ley Lines? The concept of ley lines was introduced by Alfred Watkins in the… Read More ley lines in hyde and the surrounding area: exploring ancient alignments and local lore
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
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
Rachel Bakewell 