Spring Equinox: Day 1

It's time to celebrate the start of spring! We've got a week of Spring Equinox-y fun planned before the big day next week, and (fingers crossed!) we're not hampered by horrible colds like we were at Imbolc.

Blossom Watch

Apparently blossom season has started quite early this year, as a result of a generally mild winter and a comparatively warm February. It's still pretty to see though. This pink cherry blossom is in the garden at the Pankhurst Centre (where I work).

Spring Tea Break

We were both at work all day today, so we didn't have any proper celebrations planned together. I made sure I had a spring-themed tea break though, with Candy Floss at the Fair tea (from Bird and Blend) and a mini egg cookie.

Dim Sum

I'm a bit in love with dim sum, and now I'm a bit in love with Ding Dong Dim Sum, who do a fantastic vegan selection. It's all colourful enough to sort of look like it's spring-themed, but the custard buns definitely look just right for the season!

Countdown to Christmas: Day 7

Another day celebrating the Countdown to Christmas, and it was another very festive one! (But then, you probably guessed that, didn't you?)

Christmas Earrings

Another new pair of Christmas earrings for me! Sparkly Christmas jumpers from Shadowstar Jewellery!

Christmas Jumper Day

And speaking of Christmas jumpers... today was Save the Children's Christmas Jumper Day, so we were all dressed up at work at the Pankhurst Centre today. I couldn't take a picture with my headband, earrings and t-shirt on it, so here's two festive selfies I took at work.

Festive Dinner Date

Me and the Heritage Manager from the museum were off out for a special event tonight, so she took me out for dinner at Pizza Express first. I had a very festive Mushroom and Truffle Pizza followed by Snowflake Brownie!

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World

We were at the press night of Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World at The Lowry tonight (a musical based on the books by Kate Pankhurst). Really enjoyed the show (especially the very cool depiction of Emmeline Pankhurst, of course)!

Advent Tea

Behind Door No. 7 in my Bird and Blend Tea advent calendar... Bedknobs and Broomsticks!

Advent Jewellery

And behind Door No. 7 in my Avon jewellery calendar... little silver triangle earrings!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 26

Today was a long day. And even though there was only one Halloween event, it was a big one (and one I've been looking forward to/nervous about) since we came up with the idea at the end of the summer.

A Nightmare on Nelson Street

Tonight was A Nightmare on Nelson Street, our Halloween event at the Pankhurst Centre. I led visitors on a spooky walk up Nelson Street, sharing weird history stories (including bodysnatching, a medical museum, and a surprising story about the past life of 62 Nelson Street), then we came back to the Pankhurst Centre for hot cocoa and Tales of the Spookiest Suffragettes!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 22

After the craziness of Pumpkin Day yesterday, it was a bit of a quiet one today. I was at work, and then we just had a quiet night in with a seasonal film.

Spider Brooches

For half term, we've got a spider brooch activity on at the Pankhurst Centre, making badges inspired by the jewellery of Baroness Hale (specifically the brooch she wore when she ruled that the proroguing of parliament was illegal).

31 Halloween Films: Troll Hunter

Our Sunday night film from the Halloween list was Troll Hunter!

Events in October 2023

Why Isn't Failsworth in Manchester?
Tuesday 3rd October
2.00-3.00pm
Failsworth Townswomen's Guild
I'm giving a local history talk on the history of Failsworth and incorporation
Members Event

Park Write - Spooky Season
Saturday 14th October
2.00-5.00pm
Friends of Crumpsall Park
I'm hosting a spooky creative writing workshop in Crumpsall Park, using the park as inspiration for creativity
Booking Link

Virtual Writing Retreat
Sunday 15th October
10.30–5.00pm
Hannah's Bookshelf
I'm hosting an online writing retreat for creative writers with writing exercises and structured writing sessions
Members Event

Bailey's Wood Ghost Stories Walk and Talk
Wednesday 18th October
11.00–12.30pm
Friends of Bailey's Wood
I'll be leading a gentle, social walk in the woods, telling some ghost stories along the way
Booking Link

Bailey's Wood Halloween Story Walk
Monday 23rd October
2.00-3.00pm
Friends of Bailey's Wood
I'll be leading a spooky, creative walk in the woods, suitable for all ages
Booking Link

Crumpsall Park Halloween Story Walk
Wednesday 25th October
11.00-12noon
Friends of Crumpsall Park
I'll be leading a spooky, creative walk around the park, suitable for all ages
Booking Link

Green Quarter's Eccentric Past: A Weird History Walking Tour
Wednesday 25th October
7.00-8.00pm
GRUB MCR
I'll be leading a weird history walk from Angel Meadow to Red Bank, sharing stories of the area's dark and peculiar past
Booking Link

A Nightmare on Nelson Street
Thursday 26th October
6.30-8.00pm
Pankhurst Centre
I'll be leading a weird history walk along Nelson Street, before returning to the Pankhurst Centre for cocoa and tales of the spookiest suffragettes
Booking Link

Interested in booking me for an event? Click here to find out more.

Events in July 2023

Virtual Writing Retreat
Sunday 9th July
10.30–5.00pm
Hannah's Bookshelf
I'm hosting an online writing retreat for creative writers with writing exercises and structured writing sessions
Members Event

Summer Holidays in Blackley's Past
Wednesday 12th July
7.00-8.30pm
Friends of Bailey's Wood
I'm giving a local history talk on the history of summer holidays, with a focus on Blackley and North Manchester
Booking Link

Suffrage Sonnets
Sunday 16th July
11.30-12.15pm, 2.15-3.00pm
The Pankhurst Centre
I'm running a creative writing workshop as part of the Emmeline's Birthday Party event at the Pankhurst Centre
Booking Link

Park Write - Nature Writing
Saturday 22nd July
2.00-5.00pm
Friends of Crumpsall Park
I'm hosting a nature-themed creative writing workshop in Crumpsall Park, using the park as inspiration for creativity
Booking Link

Lammas Stories
Wednesday 26th July
2.00-4.00pm
Castlerea House
I'm running a seasonal poetry and storytelling workshop session for residents at Castlerea care home
Private Event

Interested in booking me for an event? Click here to find out more.