ACCRINGTON DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
TONY wished a full house ‘Happy New Year’ to this first meeting of 2019.
He was also able to announce that Gerald is recovering well and hopes to join us at the next meeting.
Today we welcomed back Brian Healy for a talk entitled ‘When Cotton was King’ but the subtext was ‘from Warehouse to Palazzo’ and we were actually treated to the fascinating story of the development of the industry in Manchester, from the point of view of the premises from which it was conducted.
These buildings were where the world came to buy the best of everything from fabrics to buttons and every effort was made to ensure it knew it was getting the very best.
Fortunately, enough these buildings have survived years of neglect to now re-emerge, largely intact but re-purposed, as some of the most iconic buildings in the city.
Beautifully illustrated and excellently narrated, Brian’s story showed from where the inspiration for these beacons of Manchester’s past glory were derived.
Nobody in the room will be able to visit the Royal Manchester Institution, better known today as the Manchester Art Gallery, without marvelling at the Parthenon frieze and remembering how it cost so much to build that there was initially no money left to purchase pictures.
No future trip into the city will be complete without a visit to the Britannia Hotel and trying to spot as many as possible of the other survivors from the 465 warehouses in the centre.
The sheer scale of the industry was staggering and every future visit will be with new eyes to the mass of detailed evidence of Manchester’s history.
In proposing the vote of thanks, Chris noted that we look forward to part two of Brian’s story, sometime soon.
Carolyn’s closing homily this week urged caution when trying to impress your parents.
There are still limited vacancies for new members. Anyone who would like to join the fun should contact Tony Joy, 01254 264 359 or, come to the next meeting, in the Supper Room of Accrington Town Hall on Monday, January 21, from 10am.
If you are retired or retiring soon, give it a try, for free, with coffee and a biscuit.
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