I just read a 24-11-06 message about the Irish community in Ancoats. In the latest episode of Life on Mars on BBC1 this week this community was part of the storyline. Life on Mars shows such nice views of buildings and streets in that part of Manchester (also many others) that for that reason alone it is nice to watch for people interested in the history of Manchester. I watch the series "glued to the screen", it is the best series I've watched for ages.
I am sending this mail you directly because I don't live in Manchester, never lived there and never will, just paid a short visit to the area around Victoria Station with a friend twice, so it would be a bit stupid to become a member with a user name etc. But maybe, just maybe, you could mention the series in the Local History Forum pages. I do think that Manchester is a very interesting town, with a great history especially in the context of the industrial revolution. And I believe that "Life on Mars" is contributing to the general interest of not only British people but of people in other countries where the series is being shown, and there are many countries that broadcast the series, not only in Europe but e.g. also in the US.
It's nice to hear from someone across the Channel who is interested in Manchester. You appear to have a genuine empathy and understanding of the history and culture and of course, you use English like a native - not unusual for people in Holland!
Thanks very much for your comments. Has anyone else seen 'Life on Mars'?
By the way, the historic mill in the picture above has been demolished in the last week.
I agree, Life On Mars is our fav series at the moment...I think its spot on in its gentle poke at life in 1973. In fact, its one of my fav british productions ever. The Casting and locations are brilliant, we have already indentified several streets around Ancoats, and in Series One, some streets in Abbey Hey too..and of course, Central Manchester features heavily, as does Victoria Baths...already used in many episodes as different buildings!
Its also amazing just how much technology we take for granted in 2007....things like CCTV and Mobile Phones, and of course, the wonders of the Internet.
I hope you don't mind that I am e-mailing again. A couple of days ago I downloaded some info from the above mentioned Trust, and I looked it up again now. Probably you know all about it, but I did not spot info on the works of this trust on your forums, so therefore this e-mail.
Just in case you don't have the Trust's website in your bookmarks and neither mentioned it to the members of your forums, on: Ancoats BPT > Home, there is a lot of info on their works, plans, on
the restoration of Murray's Mills and St. Peter's, also on the possibility of guided walks, it was quite interesting for me. But I presume that you know all about it already.
I am interested in all of this because Ancoats appears to be "the World's first industrial suburb" according to "History of Ancoats" on the website, and when I was still in grammar school a very long time ago, the industrial revolution was my favourite subject in our History course.
Ancoats Buildings Preservation Trust have done a fantastic job
Yes, I know about Ancoats Buildings Preservation Trust, they have played a key role in saving Ancoats, at least the part of Ancoats which is their 'zone'. They done all kinds of things, including buying old mills and securing them in preparation for renovation later. They have also carried out extensive renovation work on St Peter's Church.
It's amazing what is being done but it is taking a long time. It may be quite a few years yet before Ancoats is a thriving urban village.
09/03/07, 01:50 PM
Portrayal of Ancoats
Linear Mode
