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Introduction
About the Society September 29th, 1985, the 175th Anniversary of Elizabeth Gaskell's birth was commemorated in Knutsford, Cheshire, by a literary lunch and other events which led to the formation of the Gaskell Society (Registered Charity No 1098017). Although the Society has no building as headquarters, its centre is Knutsford, with its many Gaskell associations, as Cranford and Hollingford in Wives and Daughters. Here she spent a happy childhood, was married at the Parish Church and is buried in the three-hundred-year-old Brook Street Chapel's graveyard, with her husband William. Two of her unmarried daughters and a number of her ancestors are also buried there.
The Society hold its AGM in Manchester in March. The Society also holds a special Autumn meeting in September in Knutsford.
Aims of the Society The Society's objects are to promote and encourage the study and appreciation of the work and life of Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (1810-1865). To record sources of information about the work of Elizabeth Gaskell and any other material relating to her life, family, work and memory. To foster and stimulate an understanding of her work and life by other means. To arrange visits to places associated with her or her books. To encourage republication of her work. To promote and support special projects relating to her life and work at suitable times. To co-operate with other societies having an interest in Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell and her times. Gaskell Discussion Group Is an e-mail discussion list to connect society members and anyone interested in the life and works of Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865). Those of you interested in related fields - for example, Dickens, the Brontës, industrial novels, Victorian family issues, are invited to join this list and contribute your notices, inquiries and information. How to subscribe to the Gaskell discussion group On the Internet, go to http://mailman.creighton.edu Scroll down through the lengthy list of lists to "gaskell-l" and click on that name. Then follow the simple instructions to subscribe. General queries can be sent to Mary H. Kuhlman, Dept of English, Creighton University, Omaha NE 68178, USA. 84 Plymouth Grove The Society is also very pleased to be connected with 84 Plymouth Grove in Manchester, the home of the Gaskells from 1850 until Meta Gaskell's death in 1913. It was there that Elizabeth wrote most of her novels, met many celebrated personalities and enjoyed such an interesting life with her family. The Friends of Plymouth Grove are a charitable organisation, who, in order to raise funds to preserve and restore this famous house, host a number of fascinating events, open to both members and public alike. Notice The house will be closed until further notice for the first phase of the renovation. Events will be staged at other venues. Details from Janet Allan 10 Dale Road, New Mills, High Peak, Derbyshire SK22 4NW Telephone/fax 01663 744233 Email janetrallan@googlemail.com Go to www.elizabethgaskellhouse.org to find out more and help celebrate such an important home. Latest News & Events The Gaskell Society See Meetings & Events for further forthcoming events. Dame Judi Dench pays a suprise visit to 'Cranford' Dame Judi Dench, one of Britain's most famous and best loved actresses who played the lead role of 'Miss Matty Jenkyns' in the 2007 BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel Cranford which was watched by an estimated audience of 8 million, recently paid a visit to Knutsford in Cheshire. Dame Judi said that she wanted to get "a sense of atmosphere" of Cranford. She also talked about the 'Elizabeth Gaskell House' at Plymouth Grove in Manchester and mentioned her role as a patron of Manchester Historic Buildings Trust. Knutsford is of course the real 'Cranford' where Elizabeth Gaskell grew up and which was the inspiration for her novel Cranford, a classic portrayal of life in a quiet country town in the early nineteenth century which has delighted readers ever since its first publication in the 1850's. Filming is currently taking place in Wiltshire and London for a two part special of Cranford which will return to our screens in December 2009, when we can all be delighted afresh as we watch the oscar winning actress beautifully bring to life Elizabeth Gaskell's humourous narrative and dialogue as portrayed through the character of 'Miss Matty' delivered in Dame Judi's own inimitable and sparkling style. For more information on the visit and photos of Dame Judi Dench in Knutsford and in her role as Miss Matty, please visit The Knutsford Times and The Knutsford Guardian. Knutsford Heritage Centre runs 'Cranford' tours every Sunday at 2pm. For more information on these tours and the town of Knutsford visit Knutsford Heritage Centre. Poets' Corner - Westminster Abbey See panel left. Cranford News Dame Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Francesca Annis, Julia McKenzie and Jim Carter return in the popular award-winning BBC One drama about the lives of the people of Cranford, in a two-part special for Christmas 2009. The two new episodes will be screened on 20th and 27th December so make sure you don’t miss seeing more of Elizabeth Gaskell’s delightful stories about the lives and ladies of Cranford especially adapted for television. Fresh from four BAFTA Television nominations, seven BAFTA Craft nominations and six Broadcasting Press Guild nominations, as well as the TRIC Award 2007 for Best Drama Programme earlier this year and the RTS Award for Best Writer, the two-part special will be produced by co-creator Sue Birtwistle (Pride And Prejudice), directed by Simon Curtis (Five Days, Freezing) and written by Heidi Thomas (Ballet Shoes, Lilies). A DVD of the 2007 BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford is available in the shops and contains a section on "The Making of Cranford" Gaskell Bi-Centennial Celebration 2010 The society is working on a year long series of events to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Elizabeth Gaskell's birth, in collaboration with other organisations. These will include hosting the Alliance of Literary Societies' Annual Meeting on May 15 and 16 as well as other happenings in Knutsford. In the second half of the year there will be an exhibition and series of related events at the John Rylands Library, with lectures by Jenny Uglow and Alan Shelston. We are also planning a performance by the actress Gabriella Drake of her excellent one woman show about Elizabeth Gaskell, a presentation at the Portico Library and a one day conference at Sheffield. And of course the society is delighted that Elizabeth will take her rightful place in Poet's Corner at Westminster Abbey where her name will be added to the memorial window. The dedication service will take place on 25th September. Full details of all events will follow later. Further details of other special bi-centennial events taking place throughout the year will follow soon. Cranford To celebrate the Gaskell bi-centenary Naxos Audio Books are adding to their Gaskell titles. The complete recording of Cranford is already available. Wives and Daughters will follow in March and Cousin Phillis in May. Listen to a sample on their website. You can order on line or by post. www.naxosaudiobooks.com Brook Street Unitarian Chapel Will be holding a number of events celebrating the Gaskell bi-centenary. Visit the events section of their website for further details. The Chapel Is being promoted in a regional tourist campaign. Brook St Chapel has a fascinating history and is already something of a place of pilgramage for fans of the novel Cranford and of Elizabeth Gaskell's other novels. 84 Plymouth Grove where she wrote most of her novels was opened during the winter months due to demand from fans. Knutsford library reported that there had been a surge of people borrowing copies of Cranford following the success of the BBC period drama. Brook Street now has a dedicated website at www.brookstreetchapel.org The Friends of Whitworth Park |
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Elzabeth Gaskell by Wiilliam John Thomson, of Edinburgh, 1832
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A sample of Gaskell's handwriting
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Gaskell's birthplace
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The Gaskell Grave,
Brook St Chapel, Knutsford |
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Image from "Cranford" BBC 2007
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Poets, Corner
Westmister Abbey |
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Poets' Corner
Westminster Abbey The Committee of The Gaskell Society is delighted to announce that the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, has agreed to the honour of the memorialisation of Elizabeth Gaskell in the Stained Glass Window overlooking Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey. The dedication will take place on 25th September 2010 and will form part of the celebrations to mark the bi-Centenary of the birth of Elizabeth Gaskell. Further details will be provided when these are finalised. Please click on this link to Westminster Abbey to appreciate the significance of Poets' Corner and the magnificent Abbey itself. Image Copyright: Dean and Chapter of Westminster |
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Knutsford
A History by Joan Leach We are both pleased and proud to introduce a long awaited history of Knutsford by our Honorary Secretary and Founder of the Gaskell Society, Joan Leach MBE This is a really readable and beautifully illustrated history of a small country town, that is sure to appeal to both local historians and Gaskell devotees alike. Using her extensive knowledge of the area, Joan traces the story of the town from its earliest days when it was mentioned as Cunetesford in the Domesday Book, through to its “Cranford Days” and right up to the present time. Joan tells us of the many old customs which still remain, linking us to the world of Miss Matty and her friends A delightful read and especially timely, coming out when there is renewed interest in Cranford following the recent production. on B.B.C. Television. The book is published by Phillimore and costs £15 99 in hardback. It may be obtained at Waterstones in Knutsford, the Knutsford Heritage Centre or it can be ordered at any good book-shop. |
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Last updated 02/02/2010
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for general enquiries click below
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The Gaskell Society. Registered Charity No 1098017
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The image of Elzabeth Gaskell by Wiilliam John Thomson, of Edinburgh, 1832 is reproduced here by courtesy of the University Librarian and Director, The John Rylands University Library, The University of Manchester.
Some of the Manchester images reproduced on this site are courtesy of Manchester Central Library's Local Studies Unit. For which we thank them. Click here to visit their colllection. |
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