Our Invisible Histories series continues tomorrow and we have just a few tickets left for our production of 'Miss Nobodies' on Friday evening.
On Tuesday 21st June we will host our next Invisible Histories talk at the library and online. We will be joined by author Dr Elke Weesjes who will present her comparative analysis of the Dutch and British Communist Movements in the 20th Century. Informed by oral history and memory studies, it draws on a series of interviews with 38 British and Dutch cradle communists, autobiographies, archival materials, and existing historiography of both movements. It examines and compares the history of the communist youth movements in Britain and the Netherlands and explores the private and public lives of Dutch and British communists between 1950 and 1970. Her talk will focus on respondents' political and cultural upbringing and their parents' prescriptions and aspirations.
Find out more on our website including details of how to access the online event. WCML | Events | What's On
Miss Nobodies: A Play About Lancashire Women; Feisty, Fierce...and Never ForgottenFriday 24th June, 7pm - 8.30pm approx, Working Class Movement Library
We are delighted to host a performance of 'Miss Nobodies' by Black Liver Productions. It is a funny, uplifting play about a little shop in a little town and the larger-than-life women that pass through it from 1919 to the present day. Mixing storytelling with sketches, songs and poetry, Ruth Cockburn and Keith Carter take you through 100 years of retail therapy and the lives of the women in each decade.
Inspired by the story of working class writer and activist Ethel Carnie Holdsworth, award winning writer, comedian and performer Ruth Cockburn began to explore the lost voices of working class women in Lancashire. Ruth collected sound bites, long form stories and images from women all over Lancashire and they have been woven into the show.
We have a handful of tickets left. Tickets cost £8 and are available to book here.
Save the date! Summer Open Days & Tours at the Library
Saturday 23rd July & Saturday 13th August, 11am - 4pm FREE
Thank you to Pendleton Sixth Form College
Last Friday we welcomed students from Pendleton Six Form College and Nasima Begum, a poet and performer from Young Identity Manchester, to the library to perform as part of Manchester Festival of Libraries. The performance was one of many events that took place across Manchester, Salford and Greater Manchester last week as part of the annual celebration of libraries. The students have been working with Nasima on poetry workshops throughout June and also took part in a tour of the library, learning about its history and the collection.
We are looking for volunteers to join our team!
We need enthusiastic, friendly volunteers to help welcome visitors to the library and deliver tours of our beautiful building. We value a range of skills and experiences and prior knowledge of the library or its collection are not necessary as full training will be given. If you would like to find out more, please get in touch with Belinda Scarlett, Library Manager on enquiries@wcml.org.uk
You can also see a full volunteer role description here.
The Library at Manchester Histories Festival Celebration Day
We had a great day at Manchester Monastery on 12th June to celebrate Manchester Histories Festival. We welcomed many people to our stall to find out about the library, our collections and some of our future plans. Thank you to everyone who came along to say hello.
Public meeting - Defend the Right to Strike, organised by Socialist Alternative Salford
Wednesday 22nd June, 7pm, Working Class Movement Library Annexe