Manchester’s Portico Library is a glorious hidden gem, packed to the rafters with historic books on art, history, natural history, travel, biography and literature. Yesterday, the very friendly staff invited Marzuqa and I on a tour, to understand more about their work and collections. We entered via a discrete entrance off the busy thoroughfare of Mosley Street and ascended the narrow staircase. At the top, a wonderfully atmospheric and welcoming space awaited, shelves groaning with intriguing publications under the headings ‘Polite’ and ‘Impolite’ Literature, light streaming through a domed glass ceiling. Continue reading “Let me share a secret…”
Tag: Manchester
Coming In with Larysa Bolton of Archives+
In conversation with Heritage Collections Officer, Larysa Bolton of Archives+, she gives insight into why the ‘Coming in from the Cold’ project is important to the work of partnerships in Manchester. It highlights the relationship between the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust, Archives+ and the Greater Manchester Archives and Local Studies Partnership (also known as Greater Manchester Lives). Continue reading “Coming In with Larysa Bolton of Archives+”
Coming In with Drew Ellery of Archives+
We had a quick chat about the ‘Coming in from the Cold’ project with Transforming Archives Trainee, Drew Ellery, of Archives+. Drew talks about the interactive displays available to communities in Manchester at Archives+ which will be beneficial to those involved in the ‘Coming in from the Cold’ project. Continue reading “Coming In with Drew Ellery of Archives+”
Digging Deep and Unexpected Finds
In order to gather research for Coming in from the Cold, Marzuqa and I have been contacting representatives from cultural and heritage organisations across Greater Manchester. Some have responded to a questionnaire by post or by email, providing background information on lists of projects we have already identified. Others have met us in person, to tell us about further initiatives we have missed, or to discuss issues with their service which may have impacted on delivery. We’ve also been trying to assess the scope of BME-related material in historic collections, in the hope that some items may inspire further project work. Continue reading “Digging Deep and Unexpected Finds”
Introducing CiftC to GMMG in Rochdale
On a bright and sunny Monday morning, Jennifer Vickers (Research Associate) and myself were at Rochdale Town Hall, at a meeting of the Greater Manchester Museums Group (GMMG), to introduce the ‘Coming in from the Cold‘ project.
Celebrating International Women’s Day with the Manchester BME Network
As part of our new project ‘Coming in from the Cold’ we will be working closely with the Manchester BME Network. On 14th March at Burnage Community Centre, Jennie and Marzuqa attended a tea party organised by the BME Network to celebrate International Women’s Day. It was a lovely way to meet representatives from organisations across the city and hear their stories of strength and achievement. These are the sort of stories we hope to capture for the archive during the second phase of our project. We also enjoyed eating delicious food and catching up with old friends.
Coming in from the Cold: New Project, New Insights
‘Coming in from the Cold’ is about raising the profile of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in Greater Manchester. This latest project of the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust seeks to create opportunities for capturing histories of under-represented communities, by surveying the landscape of BME archives. The Trust focuses on collecting the histories and heritage of local BME communities through oral history and archiving projects. Our Director, Jackie Ould says that:
“I’ve been offering support to community-based heritage projects for a few years now. It has ranged from providing oral history training, helping with exhibitions and archiving. I’ve wanted to support these BME projects because I believe passionately that the city’s archives need to reflect the diversity of the population.”
Continue reading “Coming in from the Cold: New Project, New Insights”
Coming in from the Cold
‘Coming in from the Cold’ is a project by the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust, that will increase the representation of local Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in our archive. This blog features updates and insights about the project. Read more here.
Coming in from the Cold 