#Fowc #Gratis
Sunday 16th June 2016
Gratuities gratefully accepted, but
Really, the entrance is free
As you wonder around amongst
The artifacts, in the grand building you entered
In fact, by dropping a few pence in the box – you might
Save the costs of preserving the items you walk around
#Fowc #Awesome
Salford 4th June 2019
If this reads a bit like a list – It’s not supposed to be!
Things I’ve done, Places I’ve seen
Being a cog as part of a much larger machine
Taking up writing as self – therapy
Helping out run some great events for free
Greeting students at the museum door
Laying down tiles of a competition floor
Rising to heights of an ancient scene
Keeping a log of the places I’ve been
Salford 16th August 2017
taken by inky like a magpie in summer, and collated for your enjoyment in response to the daily post
1. Diamond backed frog with two coins of the realm
2. The Moon, taken from a Salford Sky at Night
3. Plane in the test flight area of the RAF Museum at Cosford
4. Oldham Museum and Art Gallery – with its glass roof
5 . Coins
6. Pottery at Salford Museum and art Gallery
7. Imperial War Museum North’s Metal “Shattered Earth” – Really Shiny on Summer days
In response to the prompt
My Home town has plenty of green space to go at…
Two canals, a river network that runs up northern tributaries to Lancashire, and south towards Cheshire
These canals and rivers meet up near the old dock at Salford Quays, formerly “Manchester Docks”, I walk that way when I either head for the tram bound for Eccles or when i’m on duty at the Northern Branch of the Imperial War Museum
Narrowboats at Castlefield’s Canal Basin – Part of the Canal Network
The Canal itself leads on through Manchester and other parts of the county.
The opportunities by the waterside have seen the waterways cleaned up and provide leisure for people all year round. Narrow boats are a regular sight on the canal network, and moorings line the route all the way to the point where the Irwell and Mersey meet
Roman Wall, at Castlefield, Manchester
Opposite the Canal Basin at Castlefield lie the Forum where open air events take place, The Museum of Science and Industry, with its Engines, Cars, and Aeroplanes and the Roman Wall, where the Roman Fort remains are in situ.
The Lowry in Salford – Topic of the poem “The Musical Place”
Salford, 11th July 2017
when taking an interest in a subject, it pays to get the most of the subject matter.
Do your research, but don’t restrict yourself to a library 📚 books are great, however if you can see an item relating to your interest….it makes your interest solid.. tangible.
Its probably why I enjoy walking round the county museums and art galleries
taking in the counties art collections and exhibits and learning about the stories behind the picture.
I’ve covered the imperial war museum north a lot on this site. But there are many other galleries that bring art and history to life.
Lark hill place in the city art gallery is one such example. Whilst others admire the paintings of Lowry and other local artists, You walk down an actual Victorian street.
You can see items in the windows, smell the smells of Victorian life and hear the sounds of a Victorian day…hear the hooves of the horses hitting the cobbles, and the clang of the blacksmith getting ready to replace those horses shoes …all before going back to modern life and enjoying your packed lunch.
immerse yourself….you will enjoy it
Salford 5th January 2017
This afternoon, I’ve been helping out at Imperial War Museum North just over the bridge from Salford, by the banks of the Manchester ship canal.
Regular readers will know I help out with the computers on the “Your History” information point and throughout the Main exhibition space. Well, Today I’ve been directing visitors by the special gallery and giving assistance where necessary.
The special gallery covers the time in British history where clothes were rationed, in order to preserve fuel and resources during war time.
As part of the exhibition – a special handling collection has been created, by some of the volunteers with help from the museum staff. This is shown on our Information station, where volunteers and veterans talk about specific objects and the tales behind them.
Ancient
by B.F. Kirkham
Salford, 20th October 2016
Among the Modern tower blocks
and chic café quarters
the old bricks tell tales
of the city history
Listen very carefully,
and beyond the sounds
of modern cars
different wheels are turning
Steam whistles pipe
as the engine wheels turn
and locos roll on
like it was yesterday
Aircraft await
their signal to move
ready to go
with a simple jump
Whilst across the road
Legions Amass by Roman Bricks
Preparing to March
Down Liverpool Road
And Young Glass buildings
Smile in the night
Breaking the silence with juvenile quips
“Hey Grandad….You’re Ancient!”
#DiscoverWP
Old Trafford, Manchester , 5th August
Time : Zero Nine Hundred Hours.
Location : Imperial War Museum North, Old Trafford, Manchester
Destination : RAF Museum, Cosford, Shropshire
Bill by the RAF Twin-propped Bomber – and it wasn’t raining!
Having done the Great Orme (see here) Bill Nigel and me meet up for a trip to the Royal Air Force Museum in Cosford, Shropshire.
Travelling down the M6 from Manchester and then the M42 we reached our destination, despite queues and roadworks.
Upon arriving at RAF Cosford, we enjoy a bite to eat in the form of soup and a roll in the café. I had the Tomato (V.Nice!)
Then we hit the Galleries. Each hangar told the tale of planes that flew in the first and second world wars, as well as some of the individuals that took part in their operation. A mini timeline, similar to that of IWM North’s Main exhibition space (only a lot smaller) told the history of the RAF from its earliest time as the Royal Flying Corps all the way to the role played in more recent conflict in the Middle east.
Experimental Aircraft
I particularly enjoyed the Test flight Gallery. This explained the developmental process behind Planes like the Spitfire and the Harrier Jump Jet .
Nigel taking shots of the aircraft….
War in the Air had both Allied and German Planes on display as we read how they came to be, and their roles in the Battle of Britain and beyond. I’m pleased to say I saw a Supermarine Spitfire up close whilst walking round the exhibit, and the one I saw was the oldest surviving model in the world
All planes have to have something to make them tick – and Cosford’s collection delves deep into many of the engines that got them going.
I also viewed the artillery used by the RAF Regiment – The Air force soldiers who are assigned to protect the airfields.
It was a most enjoyable day – a pin, bookmark and mug – as well as my photos will remind me of viewing some great pieces of aviation history….just need to get the photos off the camera now 🙂
Something for Historical scholars to spot – my pic shows a statue of Lenin in the distance – but can you spot the other Russian leaders in this pic ?
Saturday 14th May 2016
I’ve had a rather fun morning today, walking around Peel Park and taking in the new exhibits at Salford’s Museum and Art Gallery.
The museum is home to Salford’s Art and Sculpture Collections, as well as being home to the Local History Library. Before the Lowry Art Gallery was built on Salford Quays, it was also home to the Lowry Collection.
Currently the Gallery is hosting an exhibition of work by the workers of the Pilkington Glass Factory, and also a photographic exhibition of the work of the Salford Born Musician – Graham Nash…Of Crosby,Stills,Nash and Young.
I enjoyed looking at the various pieces on display – but one particularly caught my eye 🙂
This little multi coloured glass pig…made in the Pilkington factory by one of the workforce.
After walking round the galleries, I took a look around the Victorian street recreated on the ground floor. I’ve wrote a couple of pieces on this on here and you can find them on my blog posts or on my Allpoetry profile.
#Napowrimo , Day 10 – the bookspine challenge
A seven line poem created from books on my Bookshelf
Extreme perception –
Reflected Memories (or)
Animal Antics –
Inspired by my Museum
The Last word –
Why don’t penguins feet freeze ?
(Thinking about it only makes it worse!)
