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Bicentenary Events
NOTE
Events at the John Rylands Library need to be booked in advance. Contact details can be found below each event.
Stop Press - New booking arrangements for Dear Scheherazade
Wednesday 16 June, 7 for 7.30pm
Dear Scheherazade
Gabrielle Drake’s one-woman show on Elizabeth Gaskell, postponed from January because of the bad weather, will be performed at MMU’s Capitol Theatre in the Mabel Tylecote Building, All Saints, M15 6BH.
To book please send your cheque for £15 per ticket, payable to The Gaskell Society to Mrs Margery Schofield, 202, Moston Lane East, New Moston, Manchester, M40 3QH (0161 6811439 email margery09@btinternet.com)
along with your name, address and phone number/email address.
Please enclose an S.A.E. if you wish your tickets to be sent to you, or you may collect them at the box office on the night. Don’t miss this highly entertaining performance, bringing Elizabeth Gaskell to life!
March 31
Opening of Gaskell Exhibition at the Portico Library, Manchester (runs until 29 April).
April 8
Launch of Alan Shelston's new Gaskell biography at the Portico Library.
April 10
Guided Tours and Walks at Tabley House and Park, Knutsford.
10.30 for 11am Assemble in the tea room
Local historian Joan Leach will conduct a guided walk, across the parkland at Tabley to the site of the old moated Hall which was a favourite picnic spot for the young Elizabeth Gaskell.
The Chapel, adjolning the tea room, will be available for an address if the weather is wet. This 17C chapel was originally on the island but was moved brick by brick in 1929 to its present position.
The old moated hall in Tabley Park may date from 1380 but it is now in ruins; its old bridge and gate- house have disappeared so there will be special access for this event. The walk towards the mere, with its picturesque tower , as painted by Turner ,is across rough grazing, crossing an old bridge that was once part of the route to Knutsford. The island wood that had its paths swept for visitors in the late 18th century divides the mere from the moat and its island.
See where the 17th century chapel stood until 1929 and imagine the young Elizabeth Gaskell 'tolling the bell to call the wanderers home'. This will be a unique experience.
Cost £4 Collected on the day
Web site: www.tableyhouse.co.uk
Contact: joanleach@aol.com
Telephone01565 634668
April 13
Performance of 'Elizabeth Gaskell and Charlotte Bronte' at the Portico Library. Further information from The Gaskell House
Saturday April 17 11am
Gaskell Society AGM at Cross Street Chapel, Manchester.
Coffee will be served from 10.30am
April 24, 25
Brussels Bronte Society event, including Angus Easson talking on The Life of Charlotte Bronte, and a walk around Brussels.
Saturday 8 May 2pm
Annual General Meeting of the Manchester Historic Buildings Trust
84 Plymouth Grove
With a talk by architect Peter Hatfield and authenic Plymouth Grove cake and glass of something sparkling. The AGM and talk are free and open to all Friends,
Refreshments £5 (pay on the day).
Please let the Secretary of the Trust, Clive Trunkfield if you are attending one or both events, 0161 338 3513
Further information from The Gaskell House
May 14, 15
Flower Festival and Victorian Victuals
Brook Street Chapel, Knutsford
Exhibition with Victorian high tea in the garden.
Further information from Brook Street Chapel
May 15,16,17
Alliance of Literary Societies AGM in Knutsford, with optional trip to the Gaskells' House, 84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester, on afternoon of 16th.
The Alliance of Literary Societies (ALS) was founded to assist literary organisations and reading/writing groups and now has more than 100 member societies. The Annual General Meeting is combined with a Literary Weekend, held at a venue associated with one of these members. This annual event is an ideal opportunity to learn about a particular author or specialised group, whilst socialising with enthusiasts from a wide range of literary societies. The Gaskell Society is hosting this year's ALS weekend meeting as part of the bi-centenary programme in Knutsford in Cheshire, which was Mrs Gaskell's childhood home, and it is hoped that a visit to her marital home in Manchester from 1850 (subject to restoration project) will be possible. The AGM and weekend programme are open to every member of any society affiliated to the ALS.
The booking form can be downloaded here and the programme here
June 5th 2.00-4.00pm
Garden Party
Heathwaite House, Knutsford, Cheshire
Do come and take this special opportunity by kind permission of the owners to visit Heathwaite House, where Elizabeth Gaskell grew up with her beloved Aunt Lumb and enjoy tea and cake in the lovely garden. Non-members welcome as well as members so bring your friends!
Cost £5 to pay on the day in aid of the Gaskell House at 84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester.
Further details available from Pat Barnard, tel 0161 439 2633
or email patbarnard@live.co.uk
Sunday 6 June 12-4pm
Open Day at The Gaskell's House
Gaskells' House, 84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester
We hope that many new visitors will be tempted by the sight of the beautiful new exterior to pay us a visit. There will be new displays, the usual bookstall with a lot of new stock, and tea and cake for the hungry. Further information from The Gaskell House
June 9
Gaskell Study Day
As part of the Bicentenary celebrations, the University of Sheffield’s School of English is holding a Study Day on the topic of ‘Gaskell’s Longer Short Fiction’, on the 9th of June 2010. The main speaker will be Professor Joanne Shattock who will deliver a paper on ‘Elizabeth Gaskell and her Readers: from Howitt’s Journal to the Cornhill’. There will also be postgraduate speakers, and Alan Shelston and Shirley Foster will lead a round-table discussion.
Draft Programme:
11.30 Coffee and Registration
12.00 Main speaker
1.00-1.45 Buffet lunch
2.00-4.00 Postgraduate papers and round-table discussion
4.00 Tea and departure
The cost of the day will be £7.50, to be paid in advance.
Please indicate by 31 March if you would like to attend. There is no official booking form; replies and cheques (made out to the University of Sheffield) should be sent to Dr Shirley Foster at either The School of English, University of Sheffield, Jessop West, 1 Upper Hanover Street, Sheffield S3 7RA or s.foster1@sheffield.ac.uk. Please be sure to include a contact address.
New booking arrangements for Dear Scheherazade
Wednesday 16 June, 7 for 7.30pm
Dear Scheherazade
Gabrielle Drake’s one-woman show on Elizabeth Gaskell, postponed from January because of the bad weather, will be performed at MMU’s Capitol Theatre in the Mabel Tylecote Building, All Saints, M15 6BH.
To book please send your cheque for £15 per ticket, payable to The Gaskell Society to Mrs Margery Schofield, 202, Moston Lane East, New Moston, Manchester, M40 3QH (0161 6811439 email margery09@btinternet.com)
along with your name, address and phone number/email address.
Please enclose an S.A.E. if you wish your tickets to be sent to you, or you may collect them at the box office on the night. Don’t miss this highly entertaining performance, bringing Elizabeth Gaskell to life!
June 25
Guided walk : Discover Knutsford's Cranford Days with Joan Leach MBE as your guide
Further information from Brook Street Chapel
Sunday 27 June
Discover Knutsford's Cranford Days
Assemble in Canute Place, Knutsford. A trail back through the years with anectdotes of Mrs Gaskell's life and the times of old Knutsford. The walk will end with refreshments at Brook Street Chapel the lovely old chapel where Mrs Gaskell worshipped as a girl and where she lies buried in the churchyard.
For further information-telephone Mrs Joan Leach on 01565 634 668 or email joanleach@aol.com.
Sunday 4 July 12-4pm
Open Day at The Gaskell's House
Gaskells' House, 84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester
We hope that many new visitors will be tempted by the sight of the beautiful new exterior to pay us a visit. There will be new displays, the usual bookstall with a lot of new stock, and tea and cake for the hungry.
Further information from The Gaskell House
July 15
Gaskell Exhibition "A Connected Life" opens at the John Rylands University Library, Manchester.
July 22 5.30-7.30pm
John Rylands University Library, Manchester.
After a brief introduction Fran Baker will present an informal talk about the exhibition. If space permits, some of the talk will take place in the exhibition room itself - so that Fran can point out items of interest - then Society members can be left to their own devices. The Rylands Cafe will be open throughout the event for Gaskell Society members to be able to purchase refreshments.
For further details and to arrange bookings please contact either Joan Leach 01565 634668 or Fran Baker at fran.baker@manchester.ac.uk or Judith Rees 0161 941 3001 or or email at juditharees@yahoo.co.uk
July 24
12 noon - 12.45pm
Curator Tour and Close-up
A tour of the Gaskell exhibition by its curator, and a chance to see some of the items which didn't make it into the exhibition.
John Rylands University Library, Manchester.
August 5
6pm
Professor Pamela Copron Parker talks on 'Woman of Letters: Elizabeth Gaskell's autograph collection and Victorian celebrity'
A lecture exploring how Gaskell accumulated and shaped her own autograph collection (held at the Rylands) in order to situate herself among an elite community of nineteenth-century British writers.
John Rylands University Library, Manchester.
August 14
11am
History Wardrobe perform 'Elegant Economy' Talk and presentation on Gaskell-period clothing, including some drama and readings. Reproduction costumes will be used
John Rylands University Library, Manchester.
Bookings via the Reception and Enquiries Team, on 0161 306 0555, jrul.events@manchester.ac.uk
August 27 2.30pm
Manchester In The Time Of The Gaskells
A Manchester Walk
Worried about cholera, the Corn Laws, Chartism and clerics at th’Owd Church? Manchester folk were in the mid-19th century when Mr Gaskell ministered at Cross Street Chapel and Mrs Gaskell was crafting consummate novels on the “Condition of England”. 2.30pm Meet Victoria Station wall map, Manchester
This event is by New Manchester Walks
August 28
Family Friendly Day
John Rylands University Library, Manchester.
September
Exhibition on 'Elizabeth Gaskell's Cheshire' at Tatton Park, Knutsford.
September 1
Harris Muesum Preston
Delia Corrie performs 'An Afternoon with Mrs Gaskell'
Part of the 'Industrial Revolutionaries' exhibition programme.
September 5
Penny-farthing Race round Knutsford Moor.
September 12 12.30pm
Beyond the Bonnets!
Cross Street Chapel, Cross Street, Manchester
A talk and a celebration of Elizabeth Gaskell's life in words and images, exploring her connections and networks with Unitarians nationally, her own religious views, and her opinions on the various Unitarian developments and tensions of her day.
It will be presented by the Rev Dr Ann Peart, Vice President of the Unitarian General Assembly and recently retired principal of Unitarian College Manchester, who has researched the lives of Unitarian women.
Peter Sampson, actor, member of the Chapel Street congregation and another life-long Unitarian, will be reading excerpts from Elizabeth Gaskell’s writings.
September 14
Talk about the Whitfield Collection at Knutsford Library.
September 16
6pm
Jenny Uglow talks on 'Country and City' at the John Rylands Library.
September 18
History Wardrobe perform 'The Clothes of Cranford' at the John Rylands Library.
Bookings via the Reception and Enquiries Team, on 0161 306 0555, jrul.events@manchester.ac.uk
September 25 2010 3pm
Westminster Abbey celebration and dedication of the Gaskell Window in Poets Corner
Tickets will be sent well in advance of the event which is preceded by the afternoon service and followed by drinks at Westminster School. Booking is essential and members already know about this via mailings. Please check the Gaskell Society web site or contact the membership secretary, Christine Lingard for further details.
September 26
Singing Histories: a concert of Manchester ballads
Lancashire folk singers, Mark Dowding and Chris Pollington, will give a performance of Manchester ballads from Gaskell's time. Elizabeth Gaskell included many ballads in her work, some copied out in full; they are a valuable source of social history as well as entertainment.
John Rylands University Library, Manchester.
September 29
Elizabeth Williams talks on 'The Life and Works of Elizabeth Gaskell' at Brook Street Chapel, followed by lunch and walk around Knutsford.
Further information from Brook Street Chapel
September 29
12 noon - 12.45pm
Curator Tour and Close-up
A tour of the Gaskell exhibition by its curator, and a chance to see some of the items which didn't make it into the exhibition.
John Rylands University Library, Manchester.
October 2 2pm
Harris Museum, Preston
History Wardrobe perform, ''The Clothes of Cranford'
October 3
Commemorative Service at Brook Street Chapel with wreath-laying, refreshments and afternoon walk.
Further information from Brook Street Chapel
October 6
Joan Leach gives talk on 'Elizabeth Gaskell and Cheshire' at Tatton Hall.
October 5-9
Victorian Music Hall at Knutsford Little Theatre (to include Old Poz).
October 8
C 19th Novel
Fran Baker and Ed Potten to talk about C19th printed book, including the novels of Elizabeth Gaskell.
Tatton Park, Nr Knustford, Cheshire
October 11
Elizabeth Williams talks on 'The Life and Works of Elizabeth Gaskell' as part of the Wellington Literary Festival, Shropshire.
October 14
6pm
Alan Shelston talks on ‘Directions to the Printer: Elizabeth Gaskell and her publishers' A lecture which considers Gaskell's novels from the point of view of her relationships with her publishers.
John Rylands University Library, Manchester.
October 17
Gaskell Tour around Manchester
as part of the Manchester Literary Festival.
November 7
11am-4pm
Family Friendly Day: Christmas at Cranford
John Rylands University Library, Manchester.
November 10
12 noon - 12.45pm
Curator Tour and Close-up
A tour of the Gaskell exhibition by its curator, and a chance to see some of the items which didn't make it into the exhibition.
John Rylands University Library, Manchester.
November 13
The Gaskell Society South West will hold a Study Day in celebration of the Bicentenary on Saturday,13th November, at the BRLSI, Queen's Square, Bath. Speakers will include Alan Shelston on Gaskell's biography of Charlotte Bronte; Boyd Schlenther on 'Lois the Witch' and the Salem witch crisis; Jo Pryke on Elizabeth Gaskell and Dorothy Whipple; and Janet Allan and Ann Brooks on Plymouth Grove house and garden. The day will begin at 10:00 am and finish about 4.30 pm. The cost will be £6 for the full day for members of the Gaskell Society and BRLSI, £8 for non-members. Coffee and tea will be included.
Any queries about the programme to Mrs Elizabeth Schlenther, 14 Vellore Lane, Bath, BA2 6JQ (Tel: 01225 331763.
November 28
John Rylands exhibition closes.
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Call for Submissions
from Trevor Harris
Professor of British Civilisation
Directeur du GRAAT
(Equipe d'Accueil 2113)
English Department, University of Tours (Université François-Rabelais), France.
The success of the BBC's 2007 series, Cranford, based on Mrs Gaskell's novel, first published in 1853, illustrates the continuing fascination with costume drama in Britain, the considerable attraction which Victorian society still exerts on contemporary popular culture, as well as the broader appeal of the "neo-Victorian" as a key element in the national heritage industry.
Mrs Gaskell remains a central figure in the development of the Victorian conscience, and not least an accomplished exponent of its militant middle-class humanitarian ethics. And her friendships with the Brontë sisters, with Carlyle or Dickens, Ruskin or Harriet Beecher Stowe, combine to alert us to the significance of her work in the context of British intellectual history.
Mary Barton (1848) and North and South (1854) complete a triptych of works which all convey a vivid image of mid-nineteenth-century life in England: the two novels published either side of the "provincial" Cranford doing so from a resolutely industrial perspective against the backdrop of the massive new manufacturing centre of Manchester. Her ghost stories, now largely forgotten but very popular during her lifetime, testify to the alluring co-existence of the "gothic" and the "modern" in her work - itself so typical of an emerging Victorian paradox in relation to industrial development and social welfare, progress and mounting anxieties about its effects.
The editorial board of GRAAT Online invites submissions for an issue of the review to be published in October 2010. As well as Mrs Gaskell?s obvious significance as one of the major figures in the Victorian literary canon, these articles could address any aspect of Gaskell studies, including, but certainly not limited to: style and language in her work (including her use of dialect); Mrs Gaskell and the ?industrial novel?; social structures and institutions in her work; Mrs Gaskell?s non-fiction (letters, diaries...); Mrs Gaskell and Victorian thought; Mrs Gaskell as biographer; Mrs Gaskell and the Industrial Revolution; Manchester, Knutsford and other locations in her work; modern adaptations (Cranford was also serialised in 1951 and 1972); the relationship between Mrs Gaskell's work and twentieth-/early-twenty-first-century popular culture and (re-)visions of the past; the neo-Victorian...
Contributions should be between 5,000 and 6,000 words long, formatted in accordance with the style sheet on this site, and must be sent (as a Word or Open Office document) to harris@univ-tours.fr no later than 31st July. Any enquiries concerning the project may also be sent to the same e-mail address. |
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A call for papers
Elizabeth Gaskell:
The Second Hundred Years
2010 is the bicentennial of Elizabeth Gaskell's birth and is thus an appropriate year to re-evaluate her significance in Victorian literary and cultural studies since her centennial year of 1910. Given the conference theme of scale and perspective, papers might address the material forms of her work that circulate in popular culture, ranging from the size, shape, color, and other paratextual elements of the material book (paperbacks, school texts, collected works, illustrated editions), to dramatic adaptation for stage and television (most recently BBC productions of Wives and Daughters, North and South, and Cranford and regional theatre performances of Gaskell that emphasize intersections among Gaskell's life, work, and 21st century culture), her changing significance for literary criticism of the Victorian novel, short story, literary biography, and periodical press. In addition, the relative significance of Knutsford and Manchester as sites for literary tourism, the question of the extent to which Gaskell's significance to the literary culture of the English speaking world is as a national or regional author (the planned memorial window in Westminster Abbey notwithstanding), and her significance for the literary production of American women writers in the 20th century would be fruitful areas to address.
Tom Recchio,
University of Connecticut
Thomas.recchio@uconn.edu
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