Gorton Monastery’s Senior Tour Guide, Grahame Birtles, Shortlisted for the Heritage Hero Awards
The Monastery is proud to announce that long-standing volunteer and Senior Tour Guide, Grahame Birtles, has been shortlisted for the Heritage Hero Awards—a prestigious recognition of individuals who go above and beyond to protect and promote the UK’s heritage. A Passionate Storyteller and Dedicated Volunteer As a key figure in Gorton Monastery’s visitor experience, Grahame […]
Monastery Memories Project Now Launched
The Monastery Memories Project has now launched, with the aim of collecting memories of the Monastery, from people who remember the building from years gone by, as well as memories of the surrounding area. Do you, or someone you know, remember the Monastery while it was still a Franciscan church, school and friary, or other […]
Help us to restore organ music to the Monastery
An 8-minute read “There’s nothing as soothing to the soul, than the tones of an organ of old. By whispering a prayer with celestial sound, we catch a glimpse of heaven around.” We’re fundraising for the next important chapter in the restoration of our much-loved heritage site. Editor’s update: We have now raised the funds […]
Book Review: Gorton Monastery 1861-1961
Subject: Victorian Manchester; Manchester history; Manchester heritage; Franciscan history. By Father Justin McLoughlin; reviewed by Janet Wallwork, published 1961 (Historical Reprint Series). Gorton Monastery 1861-1961: The story of 100 years of the Friary, Gorton, Father Justin McLoughlin, Monastery Publications (Historical Reprint Series), 46p, £2.99. First published in 1961. ISBN 978-0-95714-841-3 In 1861, a small group […]
TRUST: The Story of Gorton Monastery by Elaine Griffiths OBE
Subject: Victorian Manchester; Manchester architecture; Manchester history; Manchester heritage; well-being; Franciscan history. First edition, hardback, Monastery Publications, 1 December 2021, 176 pages & 304 images. ISBN 978-0-9571484-6-8 A history of the restoration of Manchester Monastery When Elaine Griffiths stepped over crumbling masonry into the derelict nave in 1996, she was overcome with the power of […]
Manchester History & Heritage: A Remembrance Story of Friendship and Ice Cream
The Story of Charles Sellars and Emmanuel Sivori Author | Graham North Editor | Dr. Caroline Paige A young recruit With the onset of the First World War, in July 1914, twenty-two-year-old Charles Sellars enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps. He had a wife, Sarah, and a thirteen-month-old daughter called Phyllis, who was to become my […]
Book Review: The Greyfriars Players 1937-1948
Subject: Manchester history; Manchester heritage; amateur dramatics. By Father Agnellus Andrew; reviewed by Janet Wallwork, published 1948 (Historical Reprint Series). The Greyfriars Players, 1937-1948, Father Agnellus Andrew, Monastery Publications (Historical Reprint Series), 54p, £2.99. First published in 1948. ISBN 978-0-9571484-3-7 This is a book about the Greyfriars Players, written by them, for them and their […]
Review: Print Pattern Archive talk
2-minute read Subject: Things to do in Manchester; Manchester tours; textile history; pattern makers This week, I dropped into Cheryl O’Meara’s talk on her textile archive and spent a delightful hour in a world of pattern. If you’re in a hurry, scroll down for the quick facts. A little bit about the archive The Print […]
Book Review: Assisi to Gorton
A 2-minute read. Subject: Victorian Manchester; Manchester history; Manchester heritage; Franciscan history. By Father Agnellus Andrew; reviewed by Janet Wallwork, published 1938 (Historical Reprint Series). Assisi to Gorton: A brief record of the work of the Franciscans in England, and especially their work in Gorton, 1861-1938, Father Agnellus Andrew, Monastery Publications (Historical Reprint Series), 108p, […]
What is Meant by Social Prescribing?
A 3-minute read. Social prescribing is a relatively new approach to increasing well-being in society. It works through collaboration of healthcare professionals and cultural and heritage centres. Patients with lower risk mental and physical health conditions are directed to cultural institutions who run programmes focusing on activities like volunteering, community engagement and the arts. The […]
Heritage and Well-being: Guest Post
A 6-minute read. Editor’s note: This guest post was written by our postgraduate placement students, Emma Gossage and Jenny Jackman, who are studying Cultural Heritage Management at The University of York. Heritage and Well-being: Guest Post Over the past year, the coronavirus pandemic has made us all more aware of the importance of looking after […]
The History of Manchester Monastery: It’s Quite a Story
A piece of Manchester History A 10-minute read. It’s a story of new communities working together to overcome adversity. It’s a story of the people. Read on to explore the extraordinary story of Manchester Monastery and its part in Manchester history. A monastery in Victorian Manchester The Monastery started life with a different name, it […]