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.

The Gaskell House
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.

For news about the current progress of the renovation work and for details of forthcoming events visit www.elizabethgaskellhouse.org

Further information from Janet Allan 10 Dale Road, New Mills, High Peak, Derbyshire SK22 4NW
Telephone/fax 01663 744233
Email janetrallan@googlemail.com

Latest News & Events

Brief Lives: Elizabeth Gaskell by Alan Shelston
A new biography of Elizabeth Gaskell by Alan Shelston, the Gaskell Society’s President and noted Gaskell scholar, provides fascinating insight into the author’s life.

Alan Shelston, President of the Gaskell Society, is Honorary Research Fellow at John Rylands University Library. He has edited numerous Gaskell texts and co-edited the supplementary volume of her letters. He was the founder, and for ten years the editor, of the Gaskell Society Journal

The Gaskell Society
See Meetings & Events for further forthcoming events.

Information from National Portrait Gallery:-
The 1851 chalk drawing by George Richmond was returned to display on September 6th, alongside Richmond's portrait of Charlotte Bronte. Both are displayed in Room 27.

Poets' Corner - Westminster Abbey
On September 25th 2010 over 200 members of the Gaskell Society and the Friends of Plymouth Grove gathered in Westminster Abbey for the dedication of a window panel to Elizabeth Gaskell. The ceremony was conducted by The Very Reverend John Hall, Dean of Westminster and after the opening prayer, Elizabeth Williams, Chairwoman of the Gaskell Society and Trustee of the Manchester Historic Buildings Trust, read a passage from Scripture, followed by an address by Jenny Uglow, Gaskell’s biographer. The Dean then dedicated the window and Sarah Prince laid a wreath of lilies beneath the window. Final Prayers and the Blessing closed the ceremony. Everyone then proceeded to Westminster School for a celebratory drink and an entertaining reading from Gaskell’s letters by Miriam Margolyes, a fitting end to a wonderful occasion.

Sad News
Soon after the happy events in London we heard the sad news of the deaths of two very good friends of the Gaskell Society and the Gaskell House, 84 Plymouth Grove, Joan Leach and Rosemary Dabbs.

Joan Leach MBE
Joan was the founder and Honorary Secretary of the Gaskell Society, local historian and noted Knutsford celebrity. Much of the credit for the increasing appreciation of Elizabeth Gaskell and her work is due to Joan, who had worked tirelessly over the years since she founded the society. When the Manchester Historic Buildings Trust purchased the Gaskells’ House, Joan worked equally enthusiastically to help raise its profile and the funds for its eventual restoration. On the 30 September 2010, the day after she had celebrated the Elizabeth Gaskell bi-centenary at Brook St Chapel, Knutsford, Joan passed away suddenly, but peacefully.

Rosemary Dabbs
Rosemary, Patron of the Manchester Historic Buildings Trust, was the great-great-granddaughter of Elizabeth Gaskell and was immensely proud of her heritage. A quiet demeanour belied an indomitable spirit and despite being in poor health, twice this year she made the journey up to Manchester from her home in Devon. In May she came to the opening of the Portico Exhibition and a few weeks later for the opening of the John Rylands Exhibition. She had been due to attend the dedication ceremony in Westminster Abbey, but unfortunately she became too ill. However, she insisted that her son Tim, daughter Sarah and the family should be there, to represent her. She was delighted that Sarah was able to take her place and lay the wreath under the window. On 28 September 2010, just three days after the ceremony, Rosemary died peacefully in her sleep.

The Trustees and the Friends of Plymouth Grove would like to express their appreciation for all the help and support received from both these ladies for the Gaskells’ House project. They will be sadly missed.

Cranford
To celebrate the Gaskell bi-centenary in 2010 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

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 pilgrimage 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 has a dedicated website at www.brookstreetchapel.org

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