Rails in Manchester

Did you know that they have free buses around Manchester city and that the first trains came from here? Well I didn’t ,so I learnt lots today. First on  the bus for a grand tour around the main sections of the city. As the locals catch the bus, I casually asked what should I go and see. This proved really useful ,everyone suggested something they liked.  We got a list …..nothing like a good list is there.

The buildings are a mixture of new and old. In some areas the most beautiful buildings of the Victorian period were actually factories. Goods were sold to the wealthy and made in the basement. It was raining so you got whizz photos from the bus.

First stop , Science and Industry Museum. Now I know you have had enough museums but this museum has the “Rocket”,Robert Stephenson’s train and it was the site of the first railway station in the world. Originally trains were designed for moving freight at the frightening speed of 20mph but people soon realised, trains were for people too. The Museum occupies the old station and warehouses.

Now as a first class patron, you will be met with luxury as you so rightly expect. Buy  your ticket and go upstairs to the waiting room before getting into a glassed compartment.Second class patrons, buy your own ticket and wait to get into an open carriage.Your  trip  will  cost  you  a  weeks  wage  or  more  depending  on  your  job.

There was no clock, just a sundial. A bell would ring to announce the train.Make sure you listen.

Horses were adversely affected to according to the authorities.

During the last World War, codes were important and the “Enigma Machine” was used by the Germans.  Alan Turing  created a machine that broke the code. Did you know the first computer,Baby , was not even as good as your first iPad.

If you’re old like me, you remember the first TV you had. Imagine watching TV on these.

All the changes in all modern communication, transport, and factories were there. There was even a complete system for cotton processing from cotton to fabric. Unfortunately I recognised lots of the telephones and appliances and could remember using them. How about you, a trip down memory lane. There is so much to see, it was overwhelming. Time for a quick break in the local park, created in this former industrial area just for this purpose.

Onward, up and down and around to the People’s Museum. This museum shows the development of democracy. Initially normal people like you and I had no power. You had to have land and lots of money to vote so us poor sods had no control over what happened to us. Yes I know even with the modern system, it feels a bit like that. Anyway this museum shows how unions were formed, how people gained the vote including us women and how difficult this was. I won’t bore you with facts but I took some photos so you get the gist of it……..there was a bias to labour and unionism in a big way……someone was extremely passionate about these in setting up the museum.

Have you completed your 7 year apprenticeship? Great ,show us your papers and then you have to be initiated. This room in a pub was home to three different trades and they all had special symbols to show it. Later these symbols were used in banners for the trade. Note you had to be male….women didn’t get unions for many years later as they were mainly home workers.

Symbols and colours meant special things like courage, perseverance or justice.  The bottom one was for those pesky suffragettes. She upset her family by going on marches and getting put in gaol according to the display. There was this fabulous lego figure there made of 32,327 bricks for 100 years since women in the UK got the vote.

It was dangerous though protesting. You risked getting shot, gaoled or transported to Australia. Later they just had the £10 Pommie scheme.

Conditions had to change though because the average worker lived in difficult situations and was constantly at risk of being thrown into the workhouse. Post war housing and work conditions were a big improvement. I for one, hated the trip to the outside dunnie as a child.

Well it’s getting late, so back on the bus. Quick visit to the COOP for dinner(we are staying in an apartment, remember). Relax as you get to do it again tomorrow