Mary Barton season at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House online

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Mary Barton Season

18 January-13 December 2023

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

Elizabeth Gaskell's House
Elizabeth Gaskell's House
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The team at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House on Plymouth Grove has already celebrated the author’s famous novels Cranford and North And South, and in 2023 it’s the turn of Mary Barton: A Tale Of Manchester Life. The special season of events and online talks will feature various experts exploring the story, characters and industrial background of Chorlton-on-Medlock’s most famous writer Elizabeth Gaskell’s first novel.

Gaskell’s novel powerfully dramatises the historical reality of Victorian life.

Written in 1848, the novel is a tale of class strife, romantic love and action adventure, and follows the eponymous heroine Mary Barton, daughter of a trade unionist, as she finds herself torn between the working-class Jem Wilson and a mill owner’s son, Henry Carson. Mary’s dilemma, in the wake of tragic shooting, foresees the class struggle and romantic plot of later works such as North And South, and Gaskell’s novel powerfully dramatises the historical reality of Victorian life. In the opening event on 18 January, the speaker Elizabeth Williams will provide an introductory look at Mary Barton: A Tale Of Manchester Life, giving audiences the chance to find out more about the context in which the book was written, including industrial Manchester and Elizabeth Gaskell’s personal life.

The following week, on 25 January, Dr Diane Duffy is back by popular demand, exploring ‘Mary Barton’s Manchester’,  leading participants on a virtual literary journey of discovery to the places, buildings and landmarks of the city as featured in the novel, with extracts from the text to map the way. Says the blurb: ‘This fascinating talk will interest anyone who wants to find out more about historical reality in Elizabeth Gaskell’s writing.’

The Mary Barton Season continues on 15 February, with a nod to Valentine’s Day by comparing Elizabeth Gaskell’s heart-throbs to Jane Austen’s Mr Darcy, then March and April’s events focus on the role of women as both author and heroine. More on those soon – watch this space – and don’t forget to check out the monthly secondhand book sale in the house itself.

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Where to go near Mary Barton season at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House online

The Warehouse In Holbeck
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Event venue
The Warehouse In Holbeck

Run by acclaimed theatre company Slung Low, The Warehouse in Holbeck is home to boundary-pushing performance and community projects.

Leeds
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The Attic

Tucked away above the bustle of Merrion Street, The Attic is one of Leeds’ most distinctive small venues – intimate, unpretentious, and steeped in DIY spirit.

The Chevin is a great place for visitors to do lots of different activities and is open all year round with 5 free car parks. To help you find out whatís best for you we have divided this section up into some of these different activities.Please be aware that The Chevin is a working estate so you may see vehicles including timber-extraction lorries using some of the tracks.Self-guided WalksThe Chevin is a big place and there is a good network of paths to make your own circular walk, but if you want to follow a themed trail there is a Geology Trail, Heritage Time Trail and a route for Tree Spotters.Bikes & HorsesThere is an extensive bridleway network on the eastern parts of The Chevin that caters for a range of abilities.Orienteering and GeocachingTwo orienteering courses and a number of geocache sites are waiting to be discovered.Climbing & BoulderingThere are many fantastic crags for climbing and boulders for bouldering.Mobility Scooters & Wheelchairs
Leeds
Restaurant
Oporto

For many years, Oporto has been a beacon of alternative energy on Leeds’ Call Lane – serving up great food and drink alongside resident DJs and live music.

Manchester
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Black Redstart Gallery

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texture mcr

Possibly one of the city’s most mysterious art galleries, texture is a small and perfectly-formed independent space in Ardwick.

The Beacon at Cliffe Castle Park
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Cliffe Castle Park

Cliffe Castle Park hosts the Beacon, a stunning performance space that will be touring the district throughout Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.

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