JoannaMWilliams
@joannamw.bsky.social
Historian, nature and music lover. Author of historical biographies on Mancunian Victorians Abel Heywood and Lydia Becker.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
This week in 1918 supporters of women’s suffrage met at the Reform Club, Manchester, to celebrate extension of the vote to some women over 30. Margaret Ashton, the city’s first female councillor, declared that a great victory had been won, but that it was only the beginning, not the end.
February 8, 2026 at 7:43 AM
This week in 1918 supporters of women’s suffrage met at the Reform Club, Manchester, to celebrate extension of the vote to some women over 30. Margaret Ashton, the city’s first female councillor, declared that a great victory had been won, but that it was only the beginning, not the end.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
This week in 1814 Lavinia Robinson was found drowned in the River Irwell ‘with icicles gemming her hair in the place of orange blossoms’. She had disappeared from her Manchester home after arguing with her betrothed. She is buried in St John’s Gardens, the graveyard of the former St John’s Church.
February 7, 2026 at 9:21 AM
This week in 1814 Lavinia Robinson was found drowned in the River Irwell ‘with icicles gemming her hair in the place of orange blossoms’. She had disappeared from her Manchester home after arguing with her betrothed. She is buried in St John’s Gardens, the graveyard of the former St John’s Church.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
Treats made of ice or snow have been with us for millennia, evolving slowly into the modern ice cream.
⌛️ Last chance to read this archive article for free
www.historytoday.com/archive/hist...
⌛️ Last chance to read this archive article for free
www.historytoday.com/archive/hist...
We All Scream for the History of Ice Cream
www.historytoday.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Treats made of ice or snow have been with us for millennia, evolving slowly into the modern ice cream.
⌛️ Last chance to read this archive article for free
www.historytoday.com/archive/hist...
⌛️ Last chance to read this archive article for free
www.historytoday.com/archive/hist...
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
This week in 1870 Charles Dickens, by then in poor health, visited Manchester to give a ‘farewell reading’ of his work at the Free Trade Hall.
February 5, 2026 at 7:50 AM
This week in 1870 Charles Dickens, by then in poor health, visited Manchester to give a ‘farewell reading’ of his work at the Free Trade Hall.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
🚨 BONUS EPISODE 🚨
One medieval woman. Endless curiosity. ✨
@drjaninaramirez.bsky.social explores radical polymath thinking on History Rage — and why we need it back.
🎧 Listen now: pod.fo/e/382c90
#HistoryRage #MedievalHistory #Polymath
One medieval woman. Endless curiosity. ✨
@drjaninaramirez.bsky.social explores radical polymath thinking on History Rage — and why we need it back.
🎧 Listen now: pod.fo/e/382c90
#HistoryRage #MedievalHistory #Polymath
February 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM
🚨 BONUS EPISODE 🚨
One medieval woman. Endless curiosity. ✨
@drjaninaramirez.bsky.social explores radical polymath thinking on History Rage — and why we need it back.
🎧 Listen now: pod.fo/e/382c90
#HistoryRage #MedievalHistory #Polymath
One medieval woman. Endless curiosity. ✨
@drjaninaramirez.bsky.social explores radical polymath thinking on History Rage — and why we need it back.
🎧 Listen now: pod.fo/e/382c90
#HistoryRage #MedievalHistory #Polymath
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
This week in 1769 at @mancathedral.bsky.social Roger Aytoun (nicknamed ‘Spanking Roger’ for his love of fighting), aged 19, married wealthy Manchester widow Barbara Mynshull, 65, whose fortune he then squandered.
February 2, 2026 at 8:00 AM
This week in 1769 at @mancathedral.bsky.social Roger Aytoun (nicknamed ‘Spanking Roger’ for his love of fighting), aged 19, married wealthy Manchester widow Barbara Mynshull, 65, whose fortune he then squandered.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
Shrooms will save your life.
All life is there! Read more about how fungi are the secret behind existence as we know it. A kingdom that is overlooked, to our peril, & is at threat from humanity & global warming.
Mycorrhizal end of days matters.
All life is there! Read more about how fungi are the secret behind existence as we know it. A kingdom that is overlooked, to our peril, & is at threat from humanity & global warming.
Mycorrhizal end of days matters.
The underground network: Prehistoric fungi feed the world’s plants and resist climate change, but face an uncertain future
Trillions of miles of tiny fungal tubes embedded in soil transport nutrients to crops and other plants and fight climate change by storing carbon. Scientists are racing to understand how these fungi—i...
thebulletin.org
February 3, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Shrooms will save your life.
All life is there! Read more about how fungi are the secret behind existence as we know it. A kingdom that is overlooked, to our peril, & is at threat from humanity & global warming.
Mycorrhizal end of days matters.
All life is there! Read more about how fungi are the secret behind existence as we know it. A kingdom that is overlooked, to our peril, & is at threat from humanity & global warming.
Mycorrhizal end of days matters.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
Lovely group of netwalkers braved a cold Manchester today to hear stories of the Old Town, incl that of 18th century Ann Lee, believed by her followers to be the female messiah, subject of new film ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’
Join us in March to walk, network and celebrate International Women’s Day
Join us in March to walk, network and celebrate International Women’s Day
For business bods, this netwalk on Tuesday 3 March highlights some stories of Manchester Women of the last 100 years www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manchester...
Manchester Netwalk: Women of the last 100 years
On this guided history walk in the week of International Women's Day, network while hearing about Manchester Women from 1920s to 2020s
www.eventbrite.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Lovely group of netwalkers braved a cold Manchester today to hear stories of the Old Town, incl that of 18th century Ann Lee, believed by her followers to be the female messiah, subject of new film ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’
Join us in March to walk, network and celebrate International Women’s Day
Join us in March to walk, network and celebrate International Women’s Day
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
9 January 1991 The Hacienda Manchester held a night called Thanksgiving to celebrate renewal of the club’s licence. Six months earlier George Carman QC had successfully defended the club, under threat of losing its licence, buying time for it to address drug issues.
January 9, 2026 at 7:47 AM
9 January 1991 The Hacienda Manchester held a night called Thanksgiving to celebrate renewal of the club’s licence. Six months earlier George Carman QC had successfully defended the club, under threat of losing its licence, buying time for it to address drug issues.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
January 1749 The heads of Deacon and Syddall, displayed on spikes on Manchester’s Exchange, were stolen, and later buried, by a medical student. The Manchester men were executed for joining Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 Rebellion.
January 10, 2026 at 9:10 AM
January 1749 The heads of Deacon and Syddall, displayed on spikes on Manchester’s Exchange, were stolen, and later buried, by a medical student. The Manchester men were executed for joining Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 Rebellion.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
January 1891 Alfred Waterhouse (architect of Manchester Town Hall, Manchester Museum and the Natural History Museum London) completed designs for the Refuge Assurance Building, now the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel (formerly the Palace Hotel).
January 11, 2026 at 8:50 AM
January 1891 Alfred Waterhouse (architect of Manchester Town Hall, Manchester Museum and the Natural History Museum London) completed designs for the Refuge Assurance Building, now the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel (formerly the Palace Hotel).
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
12 January 1878 At Salford Town Hall, Mark Addy was presented with 200 guineas to recognise his many rescues of people from drowning. Over his lifetime, he saved 50+ people from the River Irwell and was awarded the Albert Medal by Queen Victoria for his ‘gallantry and daring’.
January 12, 2026 at 7:32 AM
12 January 1878 At Salford Town Hall, Mark Addy was presented with 200 guineas to recognise his many rescues of people from drowning. Over his lifetime, he saved 50+ people from the River Irwell and was awarded the Albert Medal by Queen Victoria for his ‘gallantry and daring’.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
13 January 1902 The Manchester Guardian (now @theguardian.com) reported on the dire finances of football club Newton Heath. It re-formed as new entity Manchester United that year.
January 13, 2026 at 8:03 AM
13 January 1902 The Manchester Guardian (now @theguardian.com) reported on the dire finances of football club Newton Heath. It re-formed as new entity Manchester United that year.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
This week in 1713 Manchester wigmaker Edmund Harrold wrote in his diary (now kept @chethamslibrary.bsky.social) how ill he was after an all day ‘ramble’ (pub crawl).
January 14, 2026 at 7:55 AM
This week in 1713 Manchester wigmaker Edmund Harrold wrote in his diary (now kept @chethamslibrary.bsky.social) how ill he was after an all day ‘ramble’ (pub crawl).
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
29 January 1868 The Manchester Natural History Society held its last meeting. Its collection was transferred to Owens College (later the University of Manchester), forming Manchester Museum.
January 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM
29 January 1868 The Manchester Natural History Society held its last meeting. Its collection was transferred to Owens College (later the University of Manchester), forming Manchester Museum.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
30 January 1858 The first performance of the Halle Orchestra was held, at the Free Trade Hall Manchester. The Halle was a legacy of the 1857 Art Treasures Exhibition - Charles Halle had formed an orchestra of 50 musicians to give daily performances during the five-month event.
January 30, 2026 at 8:08 AM
30 January 1858 The first performance of the Halle Orchestra was held, at the Free Trade Hall Manchester. The Halle was a legacy of the 1857 Art Treasures Exhibition - Charles Halle had formed an orchestra of 50 musicians to give daily performances during the five-month event.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
31 January 1877 The last monthly meeting of Manchester Corporation (City Council) was held in the old town hall, King Street, before the opening of the new town hall in Albert Square. The colonnade of the old town hall now stands in Heaton Park.
January 31, 2026 at 9:31 AM
31 January 1877 The last monthly meeting of Manchester Corporation (City Council) was held in the old town hall, King Street, before the opening of the new town hall in Albert Square. The colonnade of the old town hall now stands in Heaton Park.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
What a brave dog! RIP Lion.
February 1, 2026 at 9:45 AM
What a brave dog! RIP Lion.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
This week 1871 the death of Lion, the ‘Salford Fire Dog’, was reported. A favourite with firemen and credited with saving many lives, he attended 332 fires. His collar was engraved
‘When duty calls I must obey, so onward let me jog
For my name is Lion, the Salford firemen's dog.’
‘When duty calls I must obey, so onward let me jog
For my name is Lion, the Salford firemen's dog.’
February 1, 2026 at 8:34 AM
This week 1871 the death of Lion, the ‘Salford Fire Dog’, was reported. A favourite with firemen and credited with saving many lives, he attended 332 fires. His collar was engraved
‘When duty calls I must obey, so onward let me jog
For my name is Lion, the Salford firemen's dog.’
‘When duty calls I must obey, so onward let me jog
For my name is Lion, the Salford firemen's dog.’
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
21 January 1867 At a meeting in Manchester, resolutions were adopted ‘in favour of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors on Sunday’.
January 21, 2026 at 7:37 AM
21 January 1867 At a meeting in Manchester, resolutions were adopted ‘in favour of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors on Sunday’.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
22 January 1887 Engineer Sir Joseph Whitworth died. Stating ‘you can only make as well as you can measure’, he advanced accuracy in measurement and machining, devising the ‘British Standard Whitworth’ for screw threads. He left huge wealth for Manchester projects such as the Whitworth Art Gallery.
January 22, 2026 at 7:58 AM
22 January 1887 Engineer Sir Joseph Whitworth died. Stating ‘you can only make as well as you can measure’, he advanced accuracy in measurement and machining, devising the ‘British Standard Whitworth’ for screw threads. He left huge wealth for Manchester projects such as the Whitworth Art Gallery.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
24 January 1840 The River Irwell overflowed. Manchester’s chief of police constructed a raft out of a gate and rescued many residents from their houses. For this he was awarded a medal by the Royal Humane Society.
January 24, 2026 at 8:17 AM
24 January 1840 The River Irwell overflowed. Manchester’s chief of police constructed a raft out of a gate and rescued many residents from their houses. For this he was awarded a medal by the Royal Humane Society.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
26 January 1796 John Shaw died. He ran a punch house in Manchester (Sinclair’s Oyster Bar today) and would threaten lingering customers with a whip.
January 26, 2026 at 7:57 AM
26 January 1796 John Shaw died. He ran a punch house in Manchester (Sinclair’s Oyster Bar today) and would threaten lingering customers with a whip.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
This week in 1875 Manchester-born Joseph Henry Blackburne, a celebrated chess player nicknamed ‘The Black Death’, played blindfolded against 10 members of Manchester Athenæum’s Chess Club. He lost a game, won 5 and 4 were drawn. The Athenæum building is now part of Manchester Art Gallery.
January 25, 2026 at 3:41 PM
This week in 1875 Manchester-born Joseph Henry Blackburne, a celebrated chess player nicknamed ‘The Black Death’, played blindfolded against 10 members of Manchester Athenæum’s Chess Club. He lost a game, won 5 and 4 were drawn. The Athenæum building is now part of Manchester Art Gallery.
Reposted by JoannaMWilliams
This week in 1809 Reverend William Cowherd preached a sermon at his Salford church urging abstinence from eating meat, and so sparked a vegetarian movement. His followers would later help form @vegsoc.bsky.social.
January 28, 2026 at 8:01 AM
This week in 1809 Reverend William Cowherd preached a sermon at his Salford church urging abstinence from eating meat, and so sparked a vegetarian movement. His followers would later help form @vegsoc.bsky.social.