Greater Manchester Archives - A Bit About Britain

Race relations and the place names of North West England

65 Comments / British Stuff, North West England / Mike@bitaboutbritain / 3rd July 2020 / Cheshire, Cumbria, Dark Ages, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Saxon, Viking

I have recently wondered if there is a particular lesson for us in the old place names of North West England. Now, the interpretation of place names can be a complicated, uncertain, business and it should be stressed that I am no toponymist. That said, a lack of knowledge doesn’t deter anyone these days, and […]

Race relations and the place names of North West England Read More »

Manchester’s John Rylands Library

It’s funny how things turn out. John Rylands was born in St Helens, Lancashire, in 1801 and helped to create what was at one time the biggest textile company in the UK. At its peak, John Rylands & Sons employed 15,000 people, mainly across North West England in and around Wigan, Bolton and Manchester, in

What do people say

Eunice on The outcast deadA well researched, well written and very interesting post Mike - I found it through Anabel's latest post. I've never heard of Cross Bones before, what a sad and poignant place it is. It's good to know that there are people taking care of it though - it may not
April Munday on The cockatrice of Renwick and other talesIt explains so much, though.
John on The cockatrice of Renwick and other talesGot it!
Jennie on The cockatrice of Renwick and other talesVery much so. Keep 'em coming!
cat9984 on The cockatrice of Renwick and other talesThat is an excellent question. :)
John on The cockatrice of Renwick and other talesI didn’t, the spell check did. I trust your spelling, Mike.
Alexie von Brockdorff on F/O James Tillett is still rememberedIt is..... it is a special story and it is wonderful for our family to read that people care. Signed Alexe von Brockdorff
telfordbm on Why hadn’t I heard of Holme Cultram?Excellent and very pleased to see it as my husband's ancestors were married at Holm Cultram Abbey and so many lived on Cumberland/Scottish borders. Our son Alan when we were living in Surrey went with his school (Wilson's) to Scotland and sent us a postcard saying "I want to live
01mackem on The cockatrice of Renwick and other talesHello Fenella, it's pronounced as it is read. Best regards.
Helen Devries on The cockatrice of Renwick and other talesI thoroughly enjoyed that off the beaten track post.....if anyone was looking for a cockatrice they could see a photo of my late mother in law... I was interested by the off putting atmosphere of the church at Kirkoswald and the Priests' Walk - some places do have a distinct