Manchester, June 2022

Manchester is a large city in the north-west of England. The city itself had a population of 552,000 in 2021, while the wider urban area, including Salford to the west, had a population of 2.87 million. Manchester grew rapidly at the turn of the 19th Century due to a boom in textile manufacturing as part of the Industrial Revolution. The Manchester Ship Canal opened in 1894, creating the Port of Manchester and linked the city to the Irish Sea.

Saturday, 18th June 2022

The gun from a German A7V Tank on display at the Imperial War Museum North. The A7V was a heavy tank introduced by Germany in 1918. It was the only tank used by the Germans in combat during World War I. The photo shows the 5.7 cm Maxim-Nordenfelt cannon which would have been mounted on the front of the tank. Some of the cannons belonging to these tanks were of British manufacture and had been captured in Belgium early in the war, while others were captured in Russia.
The gun from a German A7V Tank on display at the Imperial War Museum North. The A7V was a heavy tank introduced by Germany in 1918. It was the only tank used by the Germans in combat during World War I. The photo shows the 5.7 cm Maxim-Nordenfelt cannon which would have been mounted on the front of the tank. Some of the cannons belonging to these tanks were of British manufacture and had been captured in Belgium early in the war, while others were captured in Russia.

The Imperial War Museum North was established in 2002 close to Manchester City Centre. It is one of five Imperial War Museum sites located around England. The museum explores the impact of modern conflicts on people and society.

The gun turret from a Lancaster Bomber used during World War II. The gun can be seen mounted on the turret. Located at the Imperial War Museum North.
The gun turret from a Lancaster Bomber used during World War II. The gun can be seen mounted on the turret. Located at the Imperial War Museum North.
Tony in front of a T-55 tank in the grounds of Imperial War Museum North. This tank belonged to the ex-Iraqi Army and was captured by the Royal Engineers during the opening stages of the Iraq War in 2003. It was built in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The tank has been on display at the main entrance of the museum since 2008.
Tony in front of a T-55 tank in the grounds of Imperial War Museum North. This tank belonged to the ex-Iraqi Army and was captured by the Royal Engineers during the opening stages of the Iraq War in 2003. It was built in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The tank has been on display at the main entrance of the museum since 2008.
Tony outside Imperial War Museum North. The museum building was designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. The modern design is comprised of three interlocking shards with each shard intended to represent a remnant of an imagined globe shattered by conflict. These shards represent air, earth and water and each part forms a functionally distinct part of the museum. The air shard visible behind rises to 55 metres.
Tony outside Imperial War Museum North. The museum building was designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. The modern design is comprised of three interlocking shards with each shard intended to represent a remnant of an imagined globe shattered by conflict. These shards represent air, earth and water and each part forms a functionally distinct part of the museum. The air shard visible behind rises to 55 metres.
Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre on the edge of the Northern Quarter. The gardens take their name from the adjacent street, Piccadilly, which runs across the city centre from Market Street to London Road. The gardens also contain a bus station and a tram stop. Piccadilly Gardens was laid out after World War I on the former site of the Manchester Royal Infirmary. The area was levelled out and reconfigured in 2002 with a water feature and concrete pavilion added by Japanese architect Tadao Ando.
Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre on the edge of the Northern Quarter. The gardens take their name from the adjacent street, Piccadilly, which runs across the city centre from Market Street to London Road. The gardens also contain a bus station and a tram stop. Piccadilly Gardens was laid out after World War I on the former site of the Manchester Royal Infirmary. The area was levelled out and reconfigured in 2002 with a water feature and concrete pavilion added by Japanese architect Tadao Ando.
Another view of Piccadilly Gardens. The area is busy with people including a small group holding Ukrainian flags. A bronze statue of Queen Victoria sitting on a throne, which dates from 1901, is just visible in the background.
Another view of Piccadilly Gardens. The area is busy with people including a small group holding Ukrainian flags. A bronze statue of Queen Victoria sitting on a throne, which dates from 1901, is just visible in the background.

Monday, 20th June 2022

View along pedestrianised Market Street from Piccadilly Gardens. Tram lines and a tram stop can be seen in the foreground.
View along pedestrianised Market Street from Piccadilly Gardens. Tram lines and a tram stop can be seen in the foreground.
Inside Manchester Cathedral. Looking across the nave towards a colourful stained-glass window with an abstract design. This is the St George Window created in 1973 by Tony Hollaway. The previous Victorian stained glass was destroyed during the Manchester Blitz in 1940.
Inside Manchester Cathedral. Looking across the nave towards a colourful stained-glass window with an abstract design. This is the St George Window created in 1973 by Tony Hollaway. The previous Victorian stained glass was destroyed during the Manchester Blitz in 1940.

Manchester Cathedral, officially the Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George, is located on Victoria Street in Manchester city centre. It is the seat of the Bishop of Manchester. The building in part dates from the 15th century when the former parish church was rebuilt in Perpendicular Gothic style. The church became a cathedral in the Victorian period and was extensively restored and extended at that time. Serious damage occurred during the 1940 Manchester Blitz with the roof badly damaged and the medieval lady chapel destroyed. This damage took almost 20 years to repair. Today the cathedral is Grade I listed.

The organ inside Manchester Cathedral. The present organ dates from 2016 and is mounted over the pulpitum between the choir and nave. An earlier 19th century organ formerly stood in the same location but was destroyed during the 1940 Manchester Blitz. This previous organ was designed by George Gilbert Scott.
The organ inside Manchester Cathedral. The present organ dates from 2016 and is mounted over the pulpitum between the choir and nave. An earlier 19th century organ formerly stood in the same location but was destroyed during the 1940 Manchester Blitz. This previous organ was designed by George Gilbert Scott.
The exterior of Manchester Cathedral. View towards the south entrance, which is used by visitors, with a row of Gothic windows along side.
The exterior of Manchester Cathedral. View towards the south entrance, which is used by visitors, with a row of Gothic windows along side.
Another view of the south façade of Manchester Cathedral including, on the right, an annexe containing the Bishop Wickham Library dating from 1904.
Another view of the south façade of Manchester Cathedral including, on the right, an annexe containing the Bishop Wickham Library dating from 1904.