Manchester Writing: Nicholas Rankin at Burgess Foundation

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Manchester Writing: an evening with Nicholas Rankin

7 December 2017

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Nicholas Rankin.
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Nicholas Rankin spent 20 years broadcasting for BBC World Service and is the author of the bestselling Churchill’s Wizards. This event see him launch his latest book, Defending the Rock, which sets Gibraltar in the wider context of the struggle against fascism at the time of the Second World War, chronicling the rise to independence of the Gibraltarian people.

Defending the Rock’s cast of characters includes Anthony Burgess, who served three years in the Colonial Service in Gibraltar and set his first novel, Time For A Tiger there, and this is the focus of Rankin’s own book’s penultimate chapter.

Rather apt, then, that this latest event as part of the ongoing Manchester Writing programme from the Manchester Writing School at Man Met sees Nicholas Rankin in conversation with Director of the Burgess Foundation, Professor Andrew Biswell, in the exposed brick surrounds of the Engine Room at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation. Expect a reading, discussion and book signing.

Where to go near Manchester Writing: Nicholas Rankin at Burgess Foundation

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Burgess Cafe Bar
at IABF

Small but perfectly-formed café – which also serves as the in-house bookstore, stocking all manner of Burgess-related works, along with recordings of his music. It’s a welcoming space, with huge glass windows making for a bright, welcoming atmosphere.

Dog Bowl bowling alley and restaurant Manchester.
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Dog Bowl

A bar and 10-pin bowling alley combined, Dog Bowl is a neon-lit venue that serves up cocktails and Tex-Mex food to go with your time on the lanes.

The Ritz Manchester live music venue
Manchester
Music venue
The Ritz

The Ritz was originally a dance hall, built in 1928, has hosted The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and The Smiths and is still going strong as a gig venue now.

Gorilla, Whitworth street Manchester
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Gorilla

Gorilla is a good choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. From a hearty full English to meaty burgers via good vegan and veggie options. It also hosts some of the

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

Manchester
Restaurant
Indian Tiffin Room, Manchester

Indian Tiffin Room is a restaurant specialising in Indian street food, with branches in Cheadle and Manchester. This is the information for the Manchester venue.

The Modernist shop
Manchester
Shop
Modernist Society

The bricks and mortar The Modernist shop opened in May 2019 in the Northern Quarter and is the only bookshop in Manchester specialising in architecture and design.

Rain Bar pub in Manchester
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Rain Bar

This huge three-floor pub, formerly a Victorian warehouse, then an umbrella factory (hence the name), has one of the city centre’s largest beer gardens. The two-tier terrace overlooks the Rochdale canal and what used to be the back of the Hacienda, providing an unusual, historic view of the city.

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