Cranford Online Talks with Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Cranford Online Talks with Elizabeth Gaskell's House

24 February 2021

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Cranford illustrations by Hugh Thomson 1898
Cranford illustration by Hugh Thomson.
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Cranford is one of Elizabeth Gaskell’s most popular works, and the spring series of online talks from Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is the perfect way to discover or rediscover the Victorian classic.

The story offers plenty of intrigue and gossip – enough to fuel an award-winning BBC television series starring the likes of Dame Judi Dench and Imelda Staunton.

Published in 1853 – three years after Elizabeth Gaskell and her husband moved to their villa in Plymouth Grove – the novel is set in Cheshire in the early 1840s. Following the lives of the single and widowed middle-class female inhabitants of the fictional village of Cranford, the story offers plenty of intrigue and gossip – enough to fuel an award-winning BBC television series starring the likes of Dame Judi Dench and Imelda Staunton.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford was originally released in eight instalments, between December 1851 and May 1853, in the magazine Household Words. This was edited by Gaskell’s friend Charles Dickens, who is known to have visited her Manchester home – in fact, a Charles Dickens dahlia has recently been planted at the front of the house in line with the volunteer gardeners’ practice of linking the planting in the garden to Mrs Gaskell’s life or times.

Renowned for its portrayal of picture-perfect English village life, when Cranford was reissued in 1891, publisher Macmillan commissioned illustrator Hugh Thomson to provide drawings for 11 of the 24 volumes. Thomson’s iconic illustrations both bolstered the picture Elizabeth Gaskell was painting through her words and also helped to popularise the book. Their pastoral settings and sharp characterisation based on the close reading of a text also led to the loose term for similar artists. The Cranford School celebrated a sentimental, pre-industrial notion of ‘old England’ with a style that was a nostalgic, affectionate and slightly whimsical approach to historical themes.

Following the sellout first talk – an introduction to the novel Cranford by Libby Tempest, Chair of The Gaskell Society, at the end of January – you can now find out more about the story behind the illustrations in the online talk “Cranford’s Illustrators” with former Portico Library librarian Emma Marigliano on 3 February (see the Elizabeth Gaskell House website for more) and in the winter’s evening talk “Chocolate-box Cranford: An idyll?” on 24 February with The Gaskell Society’s Anthony Burton.Come armed with questions; the online talk will last around 45 minutes, followed by a short Q&A session afterwards. United in their admiration of Elizabeth Gaskell’s forward-thinking spirit and work, members of The Gaskell Society are devoted to the study and appreciation of the life and oeuvre of Elizabeth Gaskell, and have been involved in the campaign to restore the House and Elizabeth’s much-loved gardens.

These talks are also a great opportunity to help put into context the new exhibition that is due to open at the Grade II* listed Regency-style villa when it is able to reopen later in 2021, and when you’ll be able to explore everything about Cranford, its inspiration and its legacy.

Where to go near Cranford Online Talks with Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Hern Food
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Hern

This produce-driven bistro in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, prides itself on cooking with the only finest ingredients and his headed up by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Rab Adams.

Indie Makers
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Indie Makers

Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Plant Point
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Plant Point

Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.

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Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens is a vibrant, organic restaurant bringing a hint of European flair to the city’s plant-based dining scene.

Sela opened in 2004 with an idea to provide quality imported beers from around the world, fun cocktails to compliment the beer selections and a stage for the region’s finest and most talented musicians to play on.Over ten years later, we’re still all about the beer, cocktails, live music and pizza!We carry over a selection of over thirty different beers spanning the globe from Pickering with The Great Yorkshire Brewery’s Yorkshire Blackout, to New York with a selection from Brooklyn Brewery, and Belgium with longtime Sela favourite, Vedett.Our cocktails change regularly too. Our best-sellers are joined by fun, new offerings and our pizza menu is regarded as one of the best the city of Leeds has to offer.As for the live music, Sela has had not only the great and the good from the region. Local funksters, The New Mastersounds are regular visitors and we stage the amazing Mojah Reggae Band for their weekly Wednesday residency.  Our other long running programming incl
Leeds
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Sela Bar & Pizzeria

Sela Bar is a cosy Leeds basement spot with live music, great drinks, and a cool, laid-back, atmospheric vibe.

Leeds Beckett SU
Leeds
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Leeds Beckett Student Union

Leeds Beckett Student Union hosts big-name artists and supports students through events, live music, and a vibrant campus venue.

Located on Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Vue Leeds Kirkstall is a nine screen cinema with almost 2000 seats. There's ample parking and the cinema is surrounded by various restaurants and entertainment facilities, making for a great evening out!

Watch the latest film releases and enjoy the industry-leading Sony 4K Digital screens, boasting spectacular picture quality, along with enhanced audio quality courtesy of Dolby 'Profound Sound'. Stepped SuperVue seating means you will never miss a second of the action while VIP seating guarantees you an extra touch of luxury whenever you want to upgrade.

Three of the nine screens showcase the newest 3D releases while Vue Classical brings the latest stage sensations to the big screen, and parents can save as they go with Family Tickets and Kids AM screenings offering great value for money.
Leeds
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Vue Cinema – Leeds Kirkstall Road

Located on Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Vue Leeds Kirkstall is a nine screen cinema with almost 2000 seats. There’s ample parking and the cinema is surrounded by various restaurants and

Restaurant 2
Leeds
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Empire Café

Empire Café is located in Leeds’ ‘home of day dining’- Fish street!

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Leeds
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Phranakhon

Phranakhon Thai Tapas is a revolutionised Thai dining restaurant with a combination of European indulgence and authentic Thai tastes.

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Wen’s

Wen’s is a family owned Chinese restaurant specialising in authentic, home cooked cuisine.

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