Thank you Jane. I really look forward to your interesting posts! I too studied Mrs Gaskell's 'Cranford' and Ted Hughes poetry for A Level, thought not that of Thom Gunn. At Uni l studied history and my 'special subject' in my final year was 'Victorians and the City' which meant l was able to read lots of literature including Mrs Gaskell's 'North and South' and 'Mary Barton'. Her work took on a much deeper meaning thereafter. Thanks for talking about your visit to her home... l didn't know it was a museum and will now plan a visit.
What a lovely pleasure to read this on a misty Sunday morning. I was born and bred in Stockport (Bramhall) and love to visit. I have lived in North Wales since leaving home at eighteen. My son has now found himself living in Stockport which pleases me greatly. I had no idea Mrs Gaskell’s house was on Plymouth Grove. I used to love seeing bands at the International one and two on Plymouth Grove ..underage nights out! Those were the days on the 192 and 378 buses! I had no idea she lived nearby. I will definitely visit. Thank you for another great read x
Thank you for this Jane, I have loved Mrs Gaskell and all her works since school days, and I will now definitely visit her house. Another lovely Sunday read! x
Thank you Jane. I also read Elizabeth Gaskell when pregnant and doing the feeds, and love her writing - it feels so modern. Quite a woman. I think her short stories are underrated.
By sheer chance, just a few days after I read this post I found a copy of Cranford in a thrift shop and dove right into it. It's most definitely NOT a book that gets "done" in US classrooms, so what an absolute pleasure to discover it for the first time!
I had never made the Kardoma link but like you I have a feeling that my coffee shop addiction began early (60 yrs ago) when my gran took me to the Kardoma on a Saturday. Have added these places to my list to visit when back visiting family. So thanks
Also new play opening at Watford Palace thestre of last meeting between John and Paul!
Thank you so much for this! It was wonderful! I live not far from Stockport and I'm planning on a wonderful day of following in your footsteps. Brilliant! xx
Another post packed with delights and discoveries—I love the “Egyptian” columns on Elizabeth Gaskell’s house! Years ago, I stumbled on David Mellor’s shop while driving around the Midlands on trip from the U.S. and I was absolutely thrilled to find there a whole range of pottery by Richard Batterham, including a teapot which I had passed on at the Sloane Square store on a previous trip because I had no more room in my suitcase. I use it every Sunday without fail and it always brings me joy—as do your posts!
So pleased you've made it up to Stockport and Manchester again and are spreading the word about their delights. Elizabeth Gaskell's house has indeed been transformed since its days as the University's International Society, painted pink as you say, when it fell into disrepair. The website has videos of their talks for a modest charge and the entry fee is valid for a year. I always enjoy visiting the Whitworth (like you by bus) and love the modern rear extension with views over Sarah Price's art garden. The Whitworth also has the walled Alex Bernstein garden to the side, a peaceful retreat but getting a bit overgrown. In Manchester the Rylands Library, Deansgate, is magnificent (Uni. of Manchester) and the National Trust Garden on the Castlefield former railway viaduct (featured on BBC Gardeners' World).
Stockport's own viaduct is a wonder (the first brick built in Europe I believe) and the new viaduct park and walkway a boon to pedestrians, linking the railway and bus stations. Stockport is also the setting for the BBC tv comedy series 'Daddy Issues' which certainly makes me laugh!
Yes, so many good things in both places. I loved the new Interchange park and walkways, and we watched Daddy Issues for the locations and humour which are both great.
Miss Byrne, my first form' teacher at Rotherham High School for Girls, in 1957 introduced us to 'English Literature' with 'Cranford' I loved it and always assumed it was a personal favourite of hers (along with Seven Years in Tibet and Prester John). Now it seems it was on some sort of National curriculum. 😊
Recently I also have been reading her again (there must be something in the air) and bought Jane Uglow's wonderful biography - her research is amazing and she's so readable..Thank you, Jane, for the information about her house another 'must visit'.
Elizabeth Gaskell took opium! Just drop that one in passing why don’t you 😂As it happens I’ve just started reading her for the first time, and looking forward to continuing the journey.
Love those baths. Reminds me of my mum’s stories of growing up without a bathroom and her big sister taking her to the public ones once a week. Don’t think they were quite that beautiful sadly
I went to Bristol South Baths in Bedminster a couple of years ago and they still have/had the slipper baths (off-limits, probably in a terrible state) but it made me think as I swam up and down about how vital these places were.
Your walkabouts are fabulous. As a retired college English prof I can attest that sex was talked about in my classes — often to the shock of my millennial students…. You’d think they invented it… anyhow… lovely lovely ….
Thank you so much, loved this today, I’ve read Gaskell for years but never knew her history, definitely worth a visit to the area along with the Mellor round house.
I was page through quick to check for a Beatles photo! Then read from the start x
This is a wonderful post! I’m going to Manchester this week to take things to my university student son and now have new exciting places to visit. Thank you!
Thank you Jane. I really look forward to your interesting posts! I too studied Mrs Gaskell's 'Cranford' and Ted Hughes poetry for A Level, thought not that of Thom Gunn. At Uni l studied history and my 'special subject' in my final year was 'Victorians and the City' which meant l was able to read lots of literature including Mrs Gaskell's 'North and South' and 'Mary Barton'. Her work took on a much deeper meaning thereafter. Thanks for talking about your visit to her home... l didn't know it was a museum and will now plan a visit.
What a lovely pleasure to read this on a misty Sunday morning. I was born and bred in Stockport (Bramhall) and love to visit. I have lived in North Wales since leaving home at eighteen. My son has now found himself living in Stockport which pleases me greatly. I had no idea Mrs Gaskell’s house was on Plymouth Grove. I used to love seeing bands at the International one and two on Plymouth Grove ..underage nights out! Those were the days on the 192 and 378 buses! I had no idea she lived nearby. I will definitely visit. Thank you for another great read x
Definitely worth a visit. And you can get the 197 down Plymouth Grove and relive your youth!
Thank you for this Jane, I have loved Mrs Gaskell and all her works since school days, and I will now definitely visit her house. Another lovely Sunday read! x
Thank you Jane. I also read Elizabeth Gaskell when pregnant and doing the feeds, and love her writing - it feels so modern. Quite a woman. I think her short stories are underrated.
You went to all my favourite places! We lived near Hathersage when my children were small, loved that pool. And I finally managed the pilgrimage to Mrs Gaskell's house last year...I wrote about it and the Portico Library here: https://open.substack.com/pub/harkness/p/at-home-with-elizabeth-gaskell?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=gqpmg
Just enjoyed reading your piece about E & W Gaskell. We said we could imagine living in Hathersage just for the pool and the David Mellor place!
By sheer chance, just a few days after I read this post I found a copy of Cranford in a thrift shop and dove right into it. It's most definitely NOT a book that gets "done" in US classrooms, so what an absolute pleasure to discover it for the first time!
I had never made the Kardoma link but like you I have a feeling that my coffee shop addiction began early (60 yrs ago) when my gran took me to the Kardoma on a Saturday. Have added these places to my list to visit when back visiting family. So thanks
Also new play opening at Watford Palace thestre of last meeting between John and Paul!
Thanks for letting me know about the John & Paul play. By amazing coincidence it's on in Manchester when I visit later this month, so I've booked.
Thank you so much for this! It was wonderful! I live not far from Stockport and I'm planning on a wonderful day of following in your footsteps. Brilliant! xx
Another post packed with delights and discoveries—I love the “Egyptian” columns on Elizabeth Gaskell’s house! Years ago, I stumbled on David Mellor’s shop while driving around the Midlands on trip from the U.S. and I was absolutely thrilled to find there a whole range of pottery by Richard Batterham, including a teapot which I had passed on at the Sloane Square store on a previous trip because I had no more room in my suitcase. I use it every Sunday without fail and it always brings me joy—as do your posts!
Lovely - and thank you!
So pleased you've made it up to Stockport and Manchester again and are spreading the word about their delights. Elizabeth Gaskell's house has indeed been transformed since its days as the University's International Society, painted pink as you say, when it fell into disrepair. The website has videos of their talks for a modest charge and the entry fee is valid for a year. I always enjoy visiting the Whitworth (like you by bus) and love the modern rear extension with views over Sarah Price's art garden. The Whitworth also has the walled Alex Bernstein garden to the side, a peaceful retreat but getting a bit overgrown. In Manchester the Rylands Library, Deansgate, is magnificent (Uni. of Manchester) and the National Trust Garden on the Castlefield former railway viaduct (featured on BBC Gardeners' World).
Stockport's own viaduct is a wonder (the first brick built in Europe I believe) and the new viaduct park and walkway a boon to pedestrians, linking the railway and bus stations. Stockport is also the setting for the BBC tv comedy series 'Daddy Issues' which certainly makes me laugh!
Yes, so many good things in both places. I loved the new Interchange park and walkways, and we watched Daddy Issues for the locations and humour which are both great.
Another wonderful piece, thank you, Jane! What fun! And I am inspired now to read Mrs. Gaskell.
Miss Byrne, my first form' teacher at Rotherham High School for Girls, in 1957 introduced us to 'English Literature' with 'Cranford' I loved it and always assumed it was a personal favourite of hers (along with Seven Years in Tibet and Prester John). Now it seems it was on some sort of National curriculum. 😊
Recently I also have been reading her again (there must be something in the air) and bought Jane Uglow's wonderful biography - her research is amazing and she's so readable..Thank you, Jane, for the information about her house another 'must visit'.
Elizabeth Gaskell took opium! Just drop that one in passing why don’t you 😂As it happens I’ve just started reading her for the first time, and looking forward to continuing the journey.
Love those baths. Reminds me of my mum’s stories of growing up without a bathroom and her big sister taking her to the public ones once a week. Don’t think they were quite that beautiful sadly
I went to Bristol South Baths in Bedminster a couple of years ago and they still have/had the slipper baths (off-limits, probably in a terrible state) but it made me think as I swam up and down about how vital these places were.
Your walkabouts are fabulous. As a retired college English prof I can attest that sex was talked about in my classes — often to the shock of my millennial students…. You’d think they invented it… anyhow… lovely lovely ….
Thank you so much, loved this today, I’ve read Gaskell for years but never knew her history, definitely worth a visit to the area along with the Mellor round house.
I was page through quick to check for a Beatles photo! Then read from the start x
Happy Sunday.
If ever you are in area, the David Mellor place is brilliant.
It’s on my list.
This is a wonderful post! I’m going to Manchester this week to take things to my university student son and now have new exciting places to visit. Thank you!