Author: Charlie Bell
When Cotton Was King
Who had more cotton spindles turning than the combined cotton industries of France and Germany in 1913? Oldham, that’s who!
Read the full story..A Meteorological Gamble Pays Off
“Fancy driving to Lancaster to see an outdoor performance in the park?” came the request from Northern Soul a couple of months ago. With a pinch of the Dunkirk spirit I said “yes”
Read the full story..The Deep
In March 1984, the Hellisey VE 503 fishing trawler capsized off the south coast of Iceland, leaving only one man, ‘Gulli’ Fridthórsson to survive the tragedy.
Read the full story..Honest
I found myself at the home of the International Anthony Burgess Foundation at Chorlton Mill in the city centre last night.
Read the full story..A Field in England
In his own introduction to the film, director Ben Wheatley describes A Field in England as “pretty fucking mental”. For all the right reasons, that’s exactly what it is.
Read the full story..In Balance With This Life, This Death
When I was a serving soldier, inter-corps rivalry was everything. The British Army encouraged soldiers to take a fierce pride in each level of the structure, right down to platoon or section level.
Read the full story..The Shop of Little Horrors at The Met, Bury
I know I’m not on my own when I say that I’ve always found puppets scary. I trace it back to watching a black and white film from 1945 called Dead of Night.
Read the full story..John Shuttleworth, Oldham Coliseum
Isn’t it always the way? You wait for one Northern comedy hero and then two come along at once.
Read the full story..Posh Tramps and Papooses, Chorlton
The differences between North and South Manchester – both real and imagined – are presented to hilarious effect in Posh Tramps and Papooses – the new production from Manchester’s excellent MaD Theatre Company.
Read the full story..The Story of Peterloo
Being a tourist in your own city is an unusual and dislocating experience.
Read the full story..Editor's Picks
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