A Royal Beginning (1844) Manchester Victoria Station opened its doors on January 1, 1844, marking the start of what would become a long and storied history. It holds the distinction of being the first station in the UK to be named “Victoria,” thanks to the special...
Manchester
Oasis, a Britpop Legacy & Manchesters Most Iconic Band
In the mid-'90s, Manchester was more than just a city; it was the beating heart of the British music scene, pulsing with the energy of a new generation of bands ready to take on the world. Among them, one band emerged like a lightning bolt, electrifying not just the...
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...
Monte Carlo or Bust
On 17 November 1994, around 22 million people sat glued to their television sets as Noel Edmunds hosted the extravaganza heralding the first National Lottery draw. It was left to 18-year-old Deborah Walsh to press the button that set the balls tumbling round. First...
The Ordnance Survey: Mapping the Past, Charting the Future
The Ordnance Survey (OS) of Great Britain, renowned as the world's oldest national mapping agency, has a storied history that spans over two centuries. This article explores the inception of Ordnance Survey, the evolution of its purposes and technologies, and its...
Remembering Pope John Paul II’s Visit to Heaton Park
In May 1982, a moment of profound historical and spiritual significance unfolded in Heaton Park, Manchester, as Pope John Paul II made an unprecedented visit, marking the first time a reigning pope visited the UK. Amidst the backdrop of the Cold War and the Troubles...