Welcome to England‘s Manchester Region Industrial Archaeology Society (MRIAS)
THE SOCIETY aims to advance education of the public in the subject of industrial archaeology.
We are interested in:
› Developing a greater understanding of the industrial history and archaeology of the Manchester region.
› Recording, interpreting and where possible preserving the physical remains of industrial artefacts and sites in their social, cultural and historical contexts.
› Promotion and research into the industrial history & archaeology of the Manchester region of England.
Our passions are the history of industry, technology and transport.
2023 Committee: Steve Rhodes (Minutes Secretary and Assistant Newsletter Editor), Walter Payne (Membership Secretary), David George (Honorary Life Member & Archivist), Tony Wright (Treasurer and Newsletter Editor), Sarah Baines (Committee Member & Special Projects Officer) and Committee members Dr. Peter Mohr, Julie Mohr, Dr. Albert Rooms and Margaret Browne.
Chairman; Mr Gordon Browne
The Society continues to be friends of the South Pennine Archaeology Group. Check out their website digspag.org.uk The South Pennines, including Rossendale has much offer those with an interest in our heritage. LIDAR (Light Detecting and Ranging) images are now revealing probable prehistoric remains covering large swathes of the area. Of equal interest are the remains of early industry, water powered mills, quarries and other remnants of the industrial past.
******* PROGRAMME 2024 ( Click on View All Events - scroll right down to the lower left right at the base this screen for details).
Programme of Talks, Walks & Visits (subject to change)
Talks.
Thursday 7th February ‘Under Pressure! Manchester’s
Hidden Hydraulic Power System’. Sarah Baines.
Thursday 14th March ‘ Sellafield - An Overview of the History & Operational Aspects of the U.K.’s Largest Nuclear Site’. Dr. Albert Rooms.
Thursday 11th April ‘Ernest Leonard Leeming: Urmston’s Concrete King’. Michael Billington and Martin Dodge.
Thursday 9th May ‘The Old LMR Rail Track from Monton to Clifton Colliery (including Old Black Harry’s Tunnel)’. Dr. Peter Mohr.
Thursday 10th October History of Pleasure Boating in Britain from the C18th’. Dr. Maarja Kaaristo.
Thursday 14th November ‘Aspects of the Early History of the C.W.S. in Manchester’. Tony Wright.
Thursday 5th December AGM and Members’ Miscellany.
Walks & Visits 2024 (Gordon Browne 0161 445 9124)
• Thursday 13th of June. A Cruise from the Castlefield Hotel to Salford Quays and back including lunch. (To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of MRIAS.) With City Centre Cruises. Booking form included with newsletter.
• July/August/September. Jodrell Bank, Anson Engine Museum and East Lancs Railway. (To be confirmed.)
Other visits and walks under discussion.
Our talks are held at the Castlefield Hotel, Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4JR at 2pm.
www.mrias.co.uk email info@mrias.co.uk
Membership Secretary: Mr Walter Payne, 27 Brompton Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancs FY6 8BW (01253 894150)
Chairman: Gordon Browne (0161 445 9124)
***** MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2023 *****
The Society’s 2023 AGM was held on Thursday 7th December 2023 at 2.00 p.m. at the Castlefield Hotel, Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4JR.
1. Chairman's welcome and report
• The Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and gave a reminder that this would be the start of his third and final year as chair.
• He referred to a year of successful talks and visits but pointed out that numbers had been supplemented by joining with another group.
• For 2024, visits were planned to Jodrell Bank and the Anson Engine Museum, amongst others; and that the society’s 60th anniversary cruise was planned for the 13th June. Details of the year’s programme would be available in due course.
• He ended by advising of David George’s resignation from the committee and recording the society’s thanks to David for his contribution over a number of years. David will remain as Hon. Archivist.
2. Apologies for absence
• Apologies were received from Walter Payne, Albert Rooms, Pat Long and David George.
3. Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting and matters arising
• There were no matters arising from the minutes of the last AGM, held on Thursday 1st December 2022. These were then agreed, as proposed by Peter Hughes, and signed.
4.Treasurer’s report
• Copies of the audited Statement of Income and Expenditure for the year ended 31st August 2023 were circulated and Tony Wright took members through the figures.
MRIAS Newsletter Spring 2024
MRIAS NEWSLETTER 173 6
• He explained the website and room hire costs; also the figure for book sales.
• The Society’s bank balance was £5524.78 as at the financial year end.
• He answered one question from the floor, relating to MRIAS subscriptions to other societies.
5. Membership Secretary's report
• Walter Payne reported, via the Treasurer that, having gained 3 new members and lost 9, the net membership was now 64. This contrasted with 109 members in 2006.
• A welcome was extended to the new members present in the room.
6. Hon. Archivist’s report. This was relayed via the Treasurer and included the following:
• Salford University Archaeology had used our Peel Williams and Peel photos in connection with a dig.
• Despite a shortage of space, two items had been added during the year. These were Tramroads of the Irwell Valley and The Holcombe Brook - Tottington Area beyond Bury.
• One member looking for photos of the Whitworth Street Pump House may find them in the Engineering boxes.
7. Alan Douglass Award
• Gordon Browne presented this year’s award to Roger Holden in recognition of his substantial publication Manufacturing the Cloth of the World.
8. Nominations for committee and officers
• There were none.
•
9. Election of committee and officers
• The Chairman advised that, with the exception noted above, the current committee members
were willing to stand for 2024 and this was agreed.
MRIAS Newsletter Spring 2024
MRIAS NEWSLETTER 173 7
• He advised members that at the end of 2024 Tony Wright was standing down as Treasurer after some 23 years and that one or more volunteers were being sought to take on that role.
Post-meeting note
The Treasurer has since advised that he will continue in his current roles into 2025 and beyond if required.
10. Any other business
• Martin Arthur advised members of the death in July of former chair Muriel Taylor.
• He also advised of a forthcoming Manchester Model Railway Show.
• One “ordinary member who thoroughly enjoys MRIAS” - Pamela Sharpe - thanked committee
members for their hard work during the year.
• Roger Holden proposed a visit to an Altrincham site and the chairman agreed to follow up this suggestion.
• At the close of business Martin Arthur volunteered to join the committee and was accepted. 11. Date of the next Annual General Meeting
• • Thursday 5th December 2024.
In closing the AGM the Chairman introduced five short talks by members, as follows:-
• Tony Wright on The (Jacobite) Manchester Regiment 1745;
• Richard Roberts gave his long awaited talk on Technology Transfer in the 18th
Century - The Salt Industry in South East Bavaria - a Tale of Industrial Espionage;
• The Grids and Ductiles of Eccles by Peter Mohr;
• Next was the Niagara Falls by Gordon Browne;
• And finally, Robert Steeds on The East Lancashire Road - Its Origin and Construction.
***** MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2022 *****
The Society’s 2022 AGM was held on Thursday 1st December 2022 at 2.00 p.m. at the Castlefield Hotel, Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4JR.
Chairman's welcome
• The Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance.
2. Apologies for absence • Albert Rooms.
3. Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting and matters arising
In reply to a point of clarification the Hon. Archivist said that, following the closure of the archives at Chetham’s, MRIAS archives would be held at Ironbridge and MOSI, as appropriate.
The minutes of the last AGM, held on Thursday 2nd December 2021, were then agreed and signed.
4. Chairman’s report
• The Chairman reported on the last 12 months’ activities and thanked all those who had led or helped organise them. He then talked about the programme for 2023.
5. Treasurer’s report
Copies of the audited Statement of Income and Expenditure for the year ended 31st August 2022 were circulated and Tony Wright took members through the figures.
He explained the website and room hire costs. The Society’s current bank balance was £4837.00.
6. Membership Secretary's report
• Walter Payne reported that, having started the year with 71 members, the Society had gained five and lost six, so that net membership was now 70.
He had paid £898.50 into the bank account during the year.
• One long-standing member had attained the age of 99 during the year.
7. Alan Douglass Award
• Gordon Browne presented this year’s award to David George in recognition of his publication ‘Motorcycles and Three Wheelers of Greater Manchester’.
• In thanking the Society, David pointed out that Tony Wright should share the award due to his significant input.
8. Nominations for committee and officers • There were none.
9. Election of committee and officers
• The Chairman advised that the current committee members were willing to stand for 2023 and this was agreed.
10. Any other business
• The Chairman advised members about plans to commemorate the Society’s 60th anniversary in 2024.
11. Date of the next Annual General Meeting • Thursday 7th December 2023.
In closing the AGM the Chairman introduced talks by six members, as follows:-
• Tony Wright on A Recent Walking Tour of Manchester Starting and Finishing with Deansgate Railway Station;
• A Guided Tour of a Lead Mine at Nenthead, Alston. by Peter Mohr;
Sarah Baines’ topic was Searching for the Lived Experience of Working with Steam Engines in Manchester’s Tex:le Industry;
Unfortunately Richard Roberts’ talk, Technology Transfer in the 18th Century, had to be postponed due to IT gremlins;
Next was ‘In Search of Kearton’s Follies’ by Roger Holden;
And finally, Robert Steeds on The Lost Car of Luneside.
****
Minutes by Steve Rhodes and endorsed by the Committee.
***** MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2021 *****
The Society’s 2021 AGM was held on Thursday 2nd December 2021 at 2.00 p.m. at the Castlefield Hotel, Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4JR.
1. Chairman's welcome
• The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance.
• There followed a few words and a minute’s silence in memory of our late Chairman, Neil Davies and our late member Alan Douglass.
2. Apologies for absence
• Apologies were received from Clare Bone, Frances Watson, Brian Watson, Mike Nevell and Peter Bone.
3. Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting and matters arising
• The minutes of the last AGM, held on Thursday 5th December 2019, were agreed and there were no matters arising. Proposed by Albert Rooms and seconded by Peter Mohr.
• The minutes were accepted and signed.
4. Treasurer’s report
• Copies of the audited Statement of Income and Expenditure for the year ended 31st August 2021 were circulated and Tony Wright took members through the figures.
5. Membership Secretary's report
• Walter Payne reported that, having started the year with 77 members, net membership was now down to just 71 members.
6. Hon Archivist’s report
• At this juncture David George reported that the MRIAS archive was now closed due to pressure of space and that no new deposits could be accepted. He emphasised that the archive remained accessible and that the Society had deposited, inter alia, 175 archaeological reports.
7. Alan Douglass Award
• Gordon Browne presented this year’s award to Tony Wright in recognition of his outstanding series of ‘occasional essays’ which had entertained members throughout the year and especially during the recent lockdowns. Members were encouraged to submit any contributions for the coming year.
8. Nominations for committee and officers
• The Chairman asked if there were any nominations for the Officers or Committee. Walter Payne nominated Albert Rooms, who indicated his agreement.
9. Election of committee and officers
• Two committee members had left the committee during the year. In addition four members had been co-opted during the year. All had agreed to serve for another year and this course was proposed by Tony Wright and seconded by Albert Rooms.
The Committee is therefore be as follows:
Steve Rhodes (Minutes Secretary and Online Distribution Officer), Walter Payne (Membership Secretary), David George (Honorary Life Member & Archivist), Tony Wright (Treasurer and Newsletter Editor), Sarah Baines (Committee Member & Special Projects Officer) and Committee members Dr. Mike Nevell, Dr. Peter Mohr, Mrs Patience Julia Mohr and Dr. Albert Rooms.
Chairman; Mr Gordon Browne.
10. Any other business
• The programme of 2022 planned talks and visits was discussed. Booking forms for two visits were handed out.
11. Date of the next Annual General Meeting • Thursday 1st December 2022.
Minutes by Steve Rhodes and endorsed by the Committee.
In closing the meeting the Chairman wished everyone a merry Christmas. The meeting was followed by fascinating talks by five members:-
• Tony Wright on JMW Turner;
• David George’s topic was Bob Kay on the Rochdale Canal;
• Next was Richard Roberts who spoke on the Troubled Bridges over the waters of the River Irwell;
• Peter Mohr spoke on the Iron Lung, Morris Motors and Alvis Cars - a note on medical engineering;
• and finally Sarah Baines on the Castlefield Viaduct.
PREVIOUS 2020/2021 PROGRAMME
(disrupted by the 2020 Pandemic)
13th February -‘Munitions Manufacture at Hawkshead Mill, Old Glossop’ Paul Beckmann of the Manchester Military History Society.
12th March - ‘Recent Industrial Archaeology Research’ Norman Redhead from the University of Salford. Joint meeting with Salford Archaeology.
9th April - ‘ The Restoration of the Manchester Science Museum’s Power Hall’ Sarah Baines. Curator of Engineering. CANCELLED. Now 11/02/2021.
8th October - ‘Alcock and Brown – the Manchester Men Who Made the World’s First Non-stop Transatlantic Flight’ Tony Wright. CANCELLED New Date tba
12th November - ‘The History of Bricks - 8000 years’ Dr. Moira Wilson. CANCELLED New Date tba
3rd December - ‘ Members’ Miscellany - following the AGM. (N.B. This is the first Thursday in the month to allow for Christmas commitments). CANCELLED New Date tba
11th February 2021 - ‘ The Restoration of the Manchester Science Museum’s Power Hall’ Sarah Baines. Curator of Engineering. CANCELLED. Now 11th November 2021.
WALKS AND VISITS 2021
2pm Thursday 22nd July 2021 Meet at the Oldham King Street Tram Stop Oldham OL8 1DQ. Guided Walk around the Centre of Oldham led by Steve Roman.
WALKING TOUR OF OLDHAM TOWN CENTRE ****RE-SCHEDULED DATE
Thursday 22nd July , 2021
The tour of Oldham town centre will commence at Oldham King Street Metrolink stop (OL8 1EU) at 2.00 pm
The walk will include the Greek revival Oldham Town Hall (1841, J. Butterworth; extended 1879-80, G. Woodhouse and E. Potts), Oldham Parish Church (1823-27, R. Lane), George Street Chapel (1816), Oldham Lyceum and Art School (1856 and 1881) and Hilton Arcade (1883). We will also see work by Edgar Wood, Alfred Waterhouse and a stained glass roof by Brian Clarke.
Sean Baggaley, Curator at Gallery Oldham (OL1 1AL), will show us the Oldham Panorama (1879), the original plans for the Town Hall and current plans for OMA, the transformed 1883 stage of the Cultural Quarter. We will finish here around 4.00, near to Oldham Central and Mumps Metrolink stops.
Lunch beforehand can be taken at one of the numerous cafes around Parliament Square. Notes and maps will be provided. Oldham is a couple of degrees cooler than the Lancashire plain, and there will be some gentle uphill slopes. For parking, see www.visitoldham.com
*****
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY
Manchester Region Industrial Archaeology Society (MRIAS) was founded in 1964 by the joint initiative of staff in the Department of Extra-mural Studies, University of Manchester and the Centre for the History of Science and Technology at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. Initial recruitment of members was from the Adult Education Courses provided by these two bodies. There was the usual program of monthly talks with an early venue being the new NW Museum of Science and Industry where Society volunteers helped with demonstrations and catering on open days. When the Museum moved to Liverpool Road Station in the 1980s MRIAS members acted as guides for students and adult groups.
Owen Ashmore and David George were appointed field secretaries and the recording of standing industrial structures began through the medium of photography assisted by members of the Manchester Amateur Photographic Society. Details were written up on the then current CBA record cards and through notes and articles in the Society’s quarterly newsletter. This material formed the basis of the MRIAS archive which is now housed at Chetham’s Library in Manchester and contains, inter alia, a collection of 175 archaeological reports by members and other bodies. We have always contributed to Industrial Archaeology News and currently publish a series of occasional papers through the Northern Rail Community Fund on sale at meetings and conferences.
With the advent of industrial archaeology excavation activity in the region from the 1990s members have lent their expertise to important digs such as the Ashbury's Carriage and Wagon Works site in east Manchester on the Arkwright Mill at Shudehill – Manchester's first cotton mill (these latter two in co-operation with the University of Salford Centre for Archaeology and contractors). Visits to museums and industrial walks are regular features of our programme and for many years we organised study holidays in Cumbria, Yorkshire, Northumbria, Norfolk, Birmingham, Derbyshire and elsewhere. Committee members were prominent in the organisation and presentation of the AIA conferences in Manchester in 1977 and 2000 and more recently at Preston and Chester. Although membership has declined slowly from about 120 to 75 we have carried on with monthly talks, visit to sites and walks and are recruiting new blood to the committee for the future.
Our aims for the future? : we are preparing for our 60th Anniversary in 2024. We will continue to work with like-minded people who are interested in the history of industry, technology and transport. And also to be true to our founding aim of advancing public education in the subject of Industrial Archaeology.
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