Blogs & News

: Online Talk: The Real Wives and Daughters Locations

Enjoy a literary journey of discovery as Dr Diane Duffy takes you on a virtual visit to the places, buildings and landmarks featured in Elizabeth Gaskell’s classic novel Wives and Daughters. Extracts from Elizabeth's last book map the way to historic locations around Knutsford and the Cheshire countryside. Join us for a fascinating new insight into Elizabeth's final literary masterpiece. And enjoy some beautiful writing and pictures along the way. This intriguing talk will interest anyone who wants

: Online Talk: Wives and Daughters – An Introduction

Our special season of Wives and Daughters events begins with a special introduction to ‘the most underrated novel in English’. Elizabeth Gaskell’s final book tells the story of young Molly’s response to her father’s new marriage and its impact on those around her. Set in a small English country town, the book is a literary masterpiece of wit and charm often compared to Jane Austen and George Eliot. Find out more about the context in which the book

: Online Event: North and South FanFiction- A Writing Passion

Celebrate the much-loved romantic story of John Thornton and Margaret Hale as they navigate their feelings for each other in the gritty industrial world of Milton (Manchester). The classic novel and BBC TV Series North and South, starring Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe, was unusual for a period drama in showing working class city life. Its groundbreaking story and setting have inspired many retellings. Now a new generation of writers have created their own stories based on our

: Online Talk: Margaret Hale – North and South

Our passion for North and South continues as we take a closer look at lead character Margaret Hale. Our heroine is famous for her growing love affair with mill-owner John Thornton (played so well by Daniela Denby-Ashe and Richard Armitage in the 2004 BBC TV adaptation) and their relationship is at the heart of both the novel and series. However Margaret is an independent woman and complex character, whose assumptions about gritty industrial North are constantly challenged by

: Online talk: North and South – The Preston Lockouts Anniversary

2023 marks the 170th anniversary of the Preston Lockouts - the historical strikes that informed the plot and themes of Elizabeth Gaskell's classic romantic novel North and South and provided inspiration for Charles Dickens in Hard Times. When workers demanded a 10% wage increase in Preston in 1853, the factory owners simply locked the gates and left 18,000 people out of work. So, what really happened during the lock outs? Are characters like Mr Thornton and Higgins based on real people? And