The Loss of the Arandora Star

The Loss of the Arandora Star

The September 1939 mass evacuations of UK towns and cities under Operation Pied Piper is well known. However, Benito Mussolini’s decision on 10 June 1940 to take Italy into the war on the side of Nazi Germany, led to evacuations of a different type. By taking Italy...

Operation Pied Piper

Operation Pied Piper

During the early months of 1939, parents up and down the country received a letter from their local education authority advising them that they were in an area deemed at risk from bombing in the event of war, and that plans were being drawn up to evacuate children to...

Reliving the Most Iconic Performances in Olympic History

Reliving the Most Iconic Performances in Olympic History

The Summer Olympics have always been a stage where dreams are realized, legends are born, and history is made. Over the past 60 years, the Games have provided countless unforgettable moments, where athletes have pushed the boundaries of human achievement. As we delve...

Manchester Buses, Trams, Metro & More – Walks with a Vicar

by | Jul 18, 2023 | Explore History, Local History, Transport History, Walks with a Vicar

I caught the train from Northwich into Manchester, and the tram north to Queen’s Road. I walked along to Boyle Street bus depot, and photoed the War Memorial on the front, before going to the Greater Manchester Transport Society Museum at the back – website.

Julie and I are both doing the MA in Public History and Heritage at Derby University –  website – and my Public History Consultation is to put together a paper for the National Tramway Museum at Crich – website – in preparation for an exhibition there next summer on The Carriage of Parcels and Mail by Tram. I had a date with George Turnbull the librarian of the Greater Manchester Transport Museum Society to discuss it, and I am very grateful for his help. They have a tram post box, a Post Tram notice (which went on the front of a tram carrying a letter box),  and a parcels’ trolley.

A Manchester Parcels Booklet was a fascinating read, Rule Books included various stipulations (what to do if there is no Postman waiting for the mail bag you are carrying), and a good collection of photos (these photos have been supplied by David Voice, a prolific writer on trams, including the wonder Last Rides, a history of funeral trams – thank you). I also found a booklet with a 1980s guided walk of Manchester post boxes – northernvicar will bring it to a wider public, I promise.

The mirror was in the changing room – as a bearded person, I would not have been employed. A lovely selection of buses – I enjoyed my visit.

I walked on to Abraham Moss metro (2 miles walked) and headed south to Didsbury Village. I then had a three mile walk to Gatley station. I crossed the River Mersey on Simon’s Bridge and walked past Northenden church.

I wanted to have a look at Northenden Junction signal box – it is rather impressive. Time at Gatley to watch a variety of trains, then back via Piccadilly for a birthday tea.

Walk with a Vicar – Manchester Buses, Trams, Metro & More contributed by Rev. Peter Barham, All Rights Reserved – Originally Published on NorthernVicar.co.uk in Sept 2019.

The Loss of the Arandora Star

The Loss of the Arandora Star

The September 1939 mass evacuations of UK towns and cities under Operation Pied Piper is well known. However, Benito Mussolini’s decision on 10 June 1940 to take Italy into the war on the side of Nazi Germany, led to evacuations of a different type. By taking Italy...

Operation Pied Piper

Operation Pied Piper

During the early months of 1939, parents up and down the country received a letter from their local education authority advising them that they were in an area deemed at risk from bombing in the event of war, and that plans were being drawn up to evacuate children to...

Reliving the Most Iconic Performances in Olympic History

Reliving the Most Iconic Performances in Olympic History

The Summer Olympics have always been a stage where dreams are realized, legends are born, and history is made. Over the past 60 years, the Games have provided countless unforgettable moments, where athletes have pushed the boundaries of human achievement. As we delve...