Manchester
This issue, in our build up to the Rugby World Cup, we look at the soccer crazed city of Manchester, which will play host to an England game on the 10th October 2015.
Manchester is the ‘original modern’ city and has earned a reputation as being revolutionary, innovative and entrepreneurial. The city was at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution, leading in the development of the modern world. Set in a region that offers great value for money, Manchester welcomes visitors with its fine traditions of culture, music, sport and top class events. Its vitality is expressed through its fascinating history, interactive attractions, magnificent architecture and most of all, the spirit of its people. Destination profile: Manchester is the third most popular destination in the UK for overseas visitors with approximately 932,000 people visiting the city centre each year. It is the third largest city in the UK with a population of approximately 2.6m people within the Greater Manchester metropolitan area. International connectivity: Manchester Airport is the largest UK regional airport and the busiest outside of London. It handles over 22 million passengers every year and is connected to more than 225 destinations by more than 100 airlines. Domestic connectivity: Manchester is a two hour train journey from London with three trains running each hour. The city is well connected by train to most other cities across the UK.
Manchester first made its mark in 79 AD when the Roman Agricola established a wooden fort on the east bank of the River Irwell called ‘Mamucium’. Since then Manchester has proudly led the way in areas such as culture, technology and politics. Here are some of the city’s best facts and firsts… Industrial revolution: Manchester is famously known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution where it took lead of the world’s textile manufacturing and production in the late 18th century. The damp climate of the surrounding Pennine moors provided a perfect setting for one of the world’s most labourious eras in cotton production.
Libraries: Founded in 1653 the Chetham’s Library is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world. Canals: ‘Canal Mania’ began in 1761 when The Bridgewater Canal became the first man-made waterway in Britain. In Manchester today the existing network of canals are now home to chic apartments, restaurants and bars. Atomic theory: In 1803 John Dalton developed his atomic theory in the city. The first atom was split by New Zealander, Ernest Rutherford, at Manchester University in 1919. Vegetarianism: Inspired by the sermons of Rev. William Cowherd the vegetarian movement began in 1809 in Salford Bible Christian Church. The Altrincham-based Vegetarian Society holds events all year round. Manchester is now a culinary city with a burgeoning restaurant scene offering a multitude of cuisines. Commercial Railways: The Duke of Wellington opened the Liverpool to Manchester Railway in 1830; this moment in history began the railway revolution. The site of the first passenger railway station celebrated its 180-year anniversary in 2010 and is a feature at the fascinating MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) in Castlefield.
Classical music: Founded in 1858 Manchester’s Hallé is Britain’s longest established symphony orchestra. Women’s vote: In 1903 Mancunian, Emmeline Pankhurst, founded the Women’s Social and Political Union, later know as the Suffragettes. Emmeline dedicated her life to the campaign for women’s votes. The Pankhurst Centre, previously Emmeline’s home, displays the work and struggle of the women suffragettes. Trade unions: The first general meeting of the Trades Union Congress was held in 1868 in the Mechanics Institute, Princess Street. Professional football league: In 1888 the world’s first professional football league was set up at the Royal Hotel, Piccadilly. Manchester is now home to three premiership football teams including Manchester United and Manchester City Football Clubs. Rolls-Royce: It was in 1904 that Charles Rolls and Henry Royce first met in Manchester’s city centre Midland Hotel. Two years later Rolls-Royce Ltd was formed. The hotel was also, allegedly, Hitler’s preference for a British Nazi headquarters. The computer: In 1948 at Manchester University Professors Tom Kilburn and Fred Williams developed the first computer. Nicknamed ‘The Baby’ it was the first computer to have a stored programme and memory. It made the computer what it is today. TV: The first edition of Top of the Pops was broadcast from a disused church in Rusholme in 1964. The Rolling Stones and The Beatles headlined. Solar energy: The CIS Tower in the city centre is the UK’s largest solar project. Its 7,244 solar photovoltaic panels generate 180,000 units of renewable electricity each year. Air travel: The first UK domestic air service was recorded as being from Alexandra Park Aerodrome in Manchester to Southport and Blackpool and commenced on 24th May 1919.
Top ten visitor attractions (visitors per year): 1. The Lowry (819,325) 2. Museum of Science & Industry (676,677) 3. Chill Factore (451,000) 4. Manchester Art Gallery (386,580) 5. Bolton Museum, Aquarium & Archive (367,342) 6. Manchester Museum (365,817) 7. Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour (330,963) 8. Runway Visitor Park (330,800) 9. Imperial War Museum North (328,523) 10. Dunham Massey (225,300) Football: More than 900 teams compete in over 75 different leagues across the city, including three Premiership teams. The National Football Museum opened in July 2012 and is home to the world’s largest football collection. Music: Manchester’s diverse music scene is legendary and Mancunian artists include The Hollies, 10cc, The Bee Gees, The Smiths, Joy Division, New Order, Simply Red, The Happy Mondays, Stone Roses, Oasis, Take That and more recently, Doves and Elbow. The longest established symphony orchestra in Britain is Manchester’s Hallé, founded in 1858. Manchester’s countryside: It’s a little-known fact that Greater Manchester has over 500 square miles of easy-accessible picturesque countryside. Popular day trip to the countryside include Saddleworth, Middlebrook Valley and Dunham Massey.