At the time, Elaine, born in Bolton, was simply a single mum trying to navigate the overwhelming early days of motherhood while breastfeeding her baby daughter, Jessica. But from those difficult beginnings came something extraordinary.

Determined that no mother should ever feel as isolated as she once had, Elaine set out to create a safe and supportive space for women struggling with feeding, confidence and the emotional realities of becoming a parent. What began as one mother wanting to help others soon grew into something far bigger than she could ever have imagined.

Driven by compassion, grit and an unstoppable belief in the power of community, Elaine secured funding to launch a breastfeeding support project in Blackburn with Darwen, offering mums practical help, emotional reassurance and evidence-based advice at a time when many felt they had nowhere to turn.

That small grassroots initiative would later become Families and Babies (FAB) — a life-changing organisation now supporting thousands of families across the country.

After leaving behind her career as a mortgage adviser, Elaine retrained as a La Leche League Trainer and began building a network of peer supporters, many of whom had experienced similar struggles themselves. Together, they created a service rooted in empathy: home visits, late-night phone calls, hospital ward support and a listening ear whenever it was needed most.

FAB grew into a nationwide charity with 120 of staff and more than 150 volunteers, supporting over 8,500 families every year across some of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities. To date FAB has supported 250,00 families.

But while the organisation has thrived, Elaine’s mission has remained beautifully simple — making mothers feel seen, supported and never alone.

Elaine’s story is Chapter Nine in ‘The Empowerment Effect’ Volume Two written by Sarah Hulme & Co. Sarah is founder of the women-only networking community COVEM and the book amplifies the stories of 24 remarkable women “where adversity became fuel and resilience shaped leadership.” Launched on this year’s International Women’s Day – which happens to be Elaine’s birthday; it sped straight to number one in the ‘Amazon’ book charts.

Elaine has since become part of the COVEM community and holds her COVEM meeting in Parbold Lancs.

Elaine tells me that she received a letter announcing that she had been chosen to become a ‘Member of the British Empire’ in November last year “The Christmas post was in full swing, and the letter had been delayed. I had only 24 hours to respond to say I wished to accept the honour!”

So how was the day at Windsor Castle.?“I was very nervous especially when it came to recipients leaving their families to be briefed in how the ceremony would unfold and what we required to do,” says Elaine. “I needn’t have worried, we were taken through the whole process, in a welcoming and warm way. Once we had been taken through every step we were escorted into the beautiful banqueting room. Our families had already been seated behind us, and we recipients were called by name one by one to receive our insignia from HRH Prince William Prince of Wales. Being told by His Royal Highness that his wife Catherine was very interested to hear of my work was one of my proudest moments ever. Joining my husband, son and fiancé following my Investiture was an emotional moment for us all. I rang my daughter Jessica who was at home with our first grandchild, Noah, to tell her all about it!”

Elaine’s passion for helping families extends far beyond breastfeeding support. Elaine has championed inclusive infant care, encouraging fathers, grandparents and partners to feel connected and confident in those precious early weeks of a baby’s life.

And despite receiving national recognition, including the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award, even winning eBay Business of the Year and now an MBE, Elaine remains deeply connected to her community roots.

This year Elaine will become the President of the Turton Rotary Club 2026. She will be their first female president in their history.
Elaine Edwards has become far more than a charity founder. She is proof that one person’s difficult experience can become the spark that changes thousands of lives.

Through kindness, determination and an unwavering belief in the strength of women supporting women, Elaine hasn’t just helped transform services for families across the UK — she has helped transform the experience of motherhood itself.

Elaine joins the increasing number of people who have received recognition for transforming other people’s lives and communities for the better. There are however many unsung heroes and unless they are nominated for an honour, they have no chance whatsoever of being chosen.

So how can we nominate that special person? I asked Melanie Bryan OBE DL, Chair of the Reward and Recognition Committee at the Greater Manchester Lieutenancy for her advice.

“The great thing,” Melanie says, “is that anyone can nominate anyone for an honour and I really do mean anyone. The youngest recipient so far was just nine years old, and the oldest was over a hundred.

“The process is simpler than you might think. You can do it online at gov.uk/honours, or download a form if that’s easier.

“One thing to remember is that the Honours Committee probably won’t know your person. So it’s important that you help them to understand why your person is so special. The Committee wants to know about the difference they make in people’s lives and all the reasons why they are so outstanding at what they do.

“The key thing is to draw out why they stand out from anyone else. Facts and figures really help with this. You could talk about how many people they have helped. Or how many years they have volunteered for. Or how far their impact reaches. This type of evidence makes your nomination stronger.

“You’ll also need two letters of support from people who can speak about your person’s achievements in their own words. So do have a think about who’d be best placed to do this.

“Oh, and one very important golden rule, you must keep it a secret! The process is completely confidential, and your nominee can’t know they’re being put forward. Apart from anything else, you really wouldn’t want to spoil that amazing moment when they open that letter!

So if you’re reading this and thinking about somebody you think is worthy, perhaps that quietly dedicated volunteer who just gets on with it, the one your community simply couldn’t do without, then please do them the honour of making a nomination.”

The post Bolton mum’s MBE journey: how Families and Babies grew from one woman’s struggle into a national charity appeared first on Quays Life.

In 2022 I wrote in Quays Life about the amazing story of the Gorton Monastery, and the equally amazing fact that in 1863 a handful of Belgian Franciscan monks, managed to commission one of the leading architects of the day to design and build the imposing church and friary on Gorton Lane Manchester. The architect was Edward Pugin, whose father Augustus was the architect for the Houses of Parliament.

I wrote about the wish of The Trust custodians working hard to reinstate an organ after the original one, installed in 1888, was stripped out and sold for scrap when the Monastery was sold to developers. Then the certain serendipitous set of events of 2020 when Elaine Griffiths OBE, CEO of the Monastery Manchester, received a letter from David Emery, the treasurer and organist at Patricroft Methodist Church in Eccles, Salford. The church had closed, and the Monastery was being offered their organ at no cost other than paying for the removal and installation in the Monastery’s organ loft. Remarkably the Patricroft church organ was made by Wadsworth, the same firm who made the Monastery’s, it was only a few years older and similar to the one the building had lost.

The Monastery of St Francis and Gorton Trust had set up the Wadsworth Organ Appeal to raise £100,000 to cover the cost of dismantling, repairing, reconfiguring, and rebuilding the Victorian instrument which has almost 1,000 pipes. The team at Quays Life were delighted to receive news recently that thanks to generous sponsorship and donations the organ is back where it belongs! It has been lovingly restored, repaired, re-configured, rebuilt and updated to its full glory for future generations to enjoy.

The Monastery Trust marked it’s 30 years of restoration and community impact with a special anniversary celebration recently.
Held in the striking surroundings of the Great Nave, the evening will bring together music, dancing, food and community, celebrating three decades of transformation from a derelict Franciscan friary into one of Manchester’s most distinctive heritage and events venues.

Since 1996, The Monastery’s charitable trust has led the restoration of the Grade II* listed building, creating a space that now hosts a wide range of cultural, wellbeing and community-focused activities throughout the year.

The anniversary event featured live music, dancing, a licensed bar and a traditional hot pot supper, which offered guests the opportunity to experience the building in a relaxed and celebratory setting.

CEO Elaine Griffiths told us about this milestone celebration: “It was a celebration of the people who have supported the Monastery over the past 30 years. What was once a building at risk has become a place of welcome, connection, peace and purpose for so many. We’re proud to have marked this moment with our community and looking ahead to the future.”

So what does Elaine envisage for the next 30 years? “The next 30 years – a fascinating thought! We are currently working on our 30th Anniversary projects and events that are supported by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. One of the very important things we need to do to future proof the Monastery heritage buildings is to replace the 20-year-old boilers and heating system with something much more efficient. We’re also exploring ways of making the building more environmentally sustainable and have carried out a comprehensive carbon management plan to inform all these major decisions.

“In the immediate future we are creating a new Wellness Wing in the first-floor suite of rooms of the former Friary that will be launched over the summer. This means that we will have qualified holistic therapists and wellbeing practitioners running their clinics and being based here all the time. There will also be therapy rooms, workshop spaces, meeting and training rooms available for hire.

“In terms of the wider vision the Trust wants to ensure that the Monastery thrives and continues to be loved, cared for and well used by the local community. This can only be achieved if we continue to generate a successful income through commercial venue hire for special events, conferences, concerts and weddings.

“We currently share our building with Manchester Camerata Orchestra who are driving forward the music and health agenda through their innovative dementia work with the Music Café, Music in Mind and Music Champions as well as delivering world class Monastery concerts and performances on a regular basis.

“The team from Mentell, the men’s mental health support charity moved in with us in June. They deliver our weekly Wednesday Men’s Group, and we will be doing so much more together in the future too with our daily Hour of Silence, Healing Garden and sacred spaces around our heritage site we are increasingly creating a sanctuary atmosphere and hopefully a long-term place of peace and purpose that is very much aligned with the original Franciscan values”.

I thanked Elaine for this snapshot of the future; I am sure the Belgian Franciscan monks would too. As is with all the finest CEOs I am sure Elaine and her team have many more plans in the making, but those plans are for another day and the decades to follow.

The post The Monastery’s Victorian organ sings again as Manchester venue marks 30th anniversary appeared first on Quays Life.

Deciding which airport to use proved difficult, and one I believe travellers intending to visit the museum should think carefully about. Belfast City Airport is less than half an hour from Belfast itself, while Belfast International Airport is much further away. The beautiful marina in the Titanic Quarter provides a quieter and more leisurely atmosphere than the busy city, just a mile or so away, but a world apart.

With just 24 hours available for our visit, we chose the Titanic Quarter because, after all, we were travelling there to visit the world-class visitor attraction, which now boasts four exciting new galleries within the Titanic Experience. Titanic Belfast is located on the very spot where the famous ship was designed and launched.

I wondered what the difference would be post-2023 compared with the previous 10 or more years since Titanic Belfast first opened its doors.

From initial research, it was evident that much had been added, enhanced, researched and showcased.

The refreshed experience introduces ‘The Pursuit of Dreams’ as a new theme and combines immersive new technology with an original maritime heritage collection and the authentic Titanic story to deliver an enriched and emotive experience. Other new experiences include ‘Never Again, Ballard’s Quest’, and ‘The Lasting Legacy’.

Judith Owens MBE, Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast, said: “After years of planning, we are delighted to have launched what I believe is Titanic Belfast’s most emotive visitor experience to date. Three galleries have been reimagined and we reopened with four new themed spaces showcasing never-before-heard stories of the hopes and dreams of passengers, a collection of artefacts being displayed in Northern Ireland for the first time, and an original music score which beautifully encapsulates the stories and emotions throughout.”

So, on a sunny morning in April, we entered the iconic six-floor building, showed our pre-booked tickets to a team member at the door, picked up our ‘ Tour Headphones’ and began the self-guided “Titanic Experience”.

The story begins with a much older story, showing how Belfast became a shipbuilding champion, known as ‘Boomtown Belfast.’

We learned that the Titanic was built by the Harland and Wolff shipbuilding company in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Commissioned by the White Star Line, construction took place between 1909 and 1912, employing over 15,000 workers to create the largest and most luxurious ocean liner of its time. The ship was built in response to competition from the rival Cunard Line and was considered the most technologically advanced ship in the world.

The immersive experience enables visitors to be at the epicentre of the amazing sights and sounds surrounding the building of the Titanic.

A previously unknown series of five very rare photographs of Titanic’s launch in Belfast on 31 May 1911 are now on display. These images were taken by a local businessman and capture the hull moving down the slipways, the great gantry, and the launch platform. Later in the day, my husband Bob and I were to stand on the very same slipway.

Soon, with more understanding of why Titanic came to be, we stepped into the real magic as the Titanic Experience began to bring the story of RMS Titanic to life using immersive technology combined with original maritime heritage.

Titanic was launched from Belfast on 31^st May 1912, left Belfast on 2^nd April. On Wednesday 10 April 1912, shortly after noon, RMS Titanic set sail from Southampton’s White Star Dock on her maiden voyage to New York.

Her commander was Edward J. Smith, RD, RNR, who had arrived early that morning in preparation for the Board of Trade muster at 8am. As Commodore, or Senior Captain, of White Star, he often commanded the newest vessel in the company and was the highest-paid ship’s captain in the world in 1912.

While Titanic was making her way from Southampton to Cherbourg, her tender ships SS Nomadic and SS Traffic were already at the harbour, ready to ferry passengers out to the luxury liner. Nomadic transported first- and second-class passengers, while Traffic ferried third-class passengers. Nomadic is still docked outside the Titanic building, the only White Star ship in existence and as a doyenne of the sea, has her own amazing stories to tell.

The Titanic Experience continued to surprise as we turned the corner to be invited into  electric cars which took us a thrilling and immersive journey through the shipyard and bows of the ship.

Soon we reached ‘The Sinking’. We saw a backlit double-height wall listing the names of all the passengers onboard Titanic on that fateful night, detailing whether they were lost or saved. Positioned prominently in front of those names was a Titanic life jacket, the first of the new artefacts now on display: an original Fosbery lifejacket recovered from an unknown Titanic victim. Only twelve lifejackets remain in the world out of a total of more than 3,500 that were onboard the ship. No records exist of the original wearer of this lifejacket.

The Ship of Dreams gallery allows visitors to embark on a reflective journey exploring the hopes and dreams of those impacted by the famous ship. We saw floor-to-ceiling projections depicting the dreams of the people who built her, those who sailed on her, and those who were heading to New York to start a new life.

Next were the large tumbling dominoes, showing the chain reaction of events which caused Titanic to sink and the measures later put in place to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. RMS Titanic sank with loss of more than 1,000 lives at 2.20am on the 15 April 1912.

One of the stories visitors hear concerns the missing binocular-box keys, which limited the vision of the lookout in the crow’s nest. The original keys for the binocular box on RMS Titanic are now on display. These keys belonged to Second Officer David Blair, who was reassigned just before Titanic’s maiden voyage. Due to his hasty departure, he inadvertently kept the keys in his pocket, including the one belonging to the binocular box. Lookout Fred Fleet, who survived, later told the official inquiry that if they had had binoculars, they would have seen the iceberg sooner. When asked how much sooner, Fleet replied: “Enough to get out of the way.”

Having the opportunity to delve into witness testimonies from the British and American inquiries and hear first-hand accounts of what happened onboard Titanic on that tragic night provides incredible insight into the sinking of the vessel and the ships endeavouring to reach her as quickly as possible.

For decades, Titanic lay on the seabed, surrounded by mystery, until we passed through “The Void” — the period of years when the ship was missing — before following Dr Robert Ballard’s quest to fulfil his lifelong dream of discovering the wreck of Titanic.

We were able to learn where his inspiration came from, hear about the top-secret US Navy mission that led him to search for Titanic, understand the challenges of covering such a vast area in a short space of time, and witness the moment the team shouted: “It’s a boiler!”

The entire setting is fully immersive, with projections programmed in sync with a fully lit centrepiece scale model of the ship that transforms with each sequence. A bespoke musical score further elevates the visitor experience in this stunning space.

We then descended the staircase to a stunning collection of original Titanic artefacts on display, including the sheepskin coat worn by Titanic stewardess Mabel Bennett and the black-enamelled walking cane, complete with an electric light installed in the handle, which belonged to first-class passenger Ella White.

The artefacts are all of great historical significance and certainly evoke powerful imagery. They help visitors make emotional and human connections to the stories of Titanic’s passengers and crew, and this certainly happened for us when we saw the world-famous violin belonging to the ship’s heroic musician, Wallace Hartley.

We found this a particularly poignant moment, as my husband’s late father was a celebrated violinist, and we were grateful that fate never took him onboard Titanic, whereas fate did take Wallace Hartley there. His story remains one of bravery and honour.

A gift from his fiancée, Maria Robinson, the violin is German, circa 1880, with a tail plate bearing a silver hallmark from Chester, 1910, engraved with the words: “For Wallace on the occasion of our engagement from Maria.” As one of the rarest and most iconic objects of the twentieth century, this violin bears testimony to the courage and spirit of the bandsmen who brought hope and comfort until the very end. Their actions inspired the popular expression “And the band played on”, used to describe bravery in the face of adversity.

Also on display is a two-page letter from Wallace Hartley’s friend and fellow musician, who wrote: “Jolly good luck, old chap. Would give more than a trifle to be with you. Don’t forget to drop me a line at 61 Lea Road. Bon Voyage and Bon Santé, Bill.” The letter and other personal belongings, along with a letter from Hartley’s father, were recovered with Hartley’s body by Mackay-Bennett.

It is an emotional experience exploring the different themes surrounding the designing and building of the ship, the dreams and optimism of people journeying towards a new life in America, the tragedy and stories of those who were lost, and the long journey towards discovering the wreck many decades later.

This world-leading visitor attraction definitely needs to be experienced in person, but hopefully this article gives readers a flavour of what is truly an incredible experience.

As we departed ‘The Ship of Dreams’ and entered modern times, we could immediately see how the significance of the Titanic story has impacted Belfast and captured the world’s imagination through film, theatre and literature. One opportunity as we left the exhibition was to strike a pose and capture our very own ‘Jack and Rose’ photo moment on the bow of the ship. For us, however, that felt impossible after such an evocative visit.

The £4.5 million investment has been fully funded through the Titanic Belfast Gallery Refreshment Fund, which was established when the building opened as part of the commercial operator agreement and is held by the charity owner, Maritime Belfast Trust.

For further information on the new Titanic Experience, visit Titanic Belfast

The post An emotional journey aboard the Titanic Experience Belfast appeared first on Quays Life.

“Hi Lorraine

Meet Steve. Steve is Safeguarding and Crime Prevention Lead for TPE and proud owner of Nya the Therapy Dog.
They’d love to meet up with you as we chatted about a while ago and I expressed your love for all things animal.”

And so, began my communication with Steve O’Callaghan, Safeguarding and Crime Prevention Lead for TransPennine Express, not forgetting the wonderful Nya!

Nya is a Pets as Therapy registered German Shepherd and the first dog in the UK to be officially registered with a Train Operating Company.

Having spent the past 20 years as a Police Officer, Steve left his role as Police Sergeant to take up his groundbreaking role as Safeguarding and Crime Prevention Lead for TransPennine Express. Steve’s work centres around the safety and well-being of both passengers and staff with a strong focus on putting measures in place to support people’s mental health and wellbeing.

I asked Steve how it all began…

“I have owned dogs most of my life and currently own Nya, a 6-year-old German Shepherd. I have always known the benefits that dogs can have on people and last year I registered Nya as a therapy dog through Pets as Therapy, the leading national charity for animal assisted therapy in the UK. Throughout the beginning of last year, I worked closely with our Occupational Health department to bring to fruition an idea of incorporating my passion for dogs and safeguarding due to the multitude of benefits that dogs gave on people’s health and wellbeing”.

In May of last year Nya officially started her new role and I’m now proud to say that TransPennine Express is the first train operator to have its own therapy dog which can offer support to passengers and staff. On her first operational day Nya supported a vulnerable female passenger in crisis, helping her break a chain of negative thoughts. Nya has had 100s of positive interactions with both staff and passengers since the project commenced. She quickly became a familiar and calming presence across the network. With her gentle temperament, she began helping everyone from worried young travellers to adults having difficult days.”

I had a look at Nya’s biography, and it is celebrity worthy! She has been featured on BBC Radio 5 Live, Good Morning Britain, Storm Huntley Show, BBC’s Look North and That’s TV South Yorkshire. Only last month Nya became the first canine contestant to feature on the BBC TV game show “Bridge of Lies” She has been featured across national media, government departments, and major safeguarding campaigns including World Suicide Prevention Day, World Mental Health Day, Stress Awareness Week, and Brew Monday.

It wasn’t long before Nya had her own online presence she has hundreds of followers on social media platforms.
On day two ‘in the job’ Steve and Nya travelled to Manchester Airport Station to be interviewed by ‘Mancunian Matters’.
As year two dawned for them, I arranged to meet Steve and Nya on one of the platforms at Manchester Airport Station. I was greeted by Steve and Nya and with what I instantly labelled as “Team Nya.” I met Tom Gilmour-Seconded PCSO from British Transport Police (BTP), Rachael Cobain-Seconded BTP Liaison Sergeant, Ian Hutchinson-Safeguarding and Crime Prevention Coordinator for TransPennine Express (TPE), Debbie Easby-Lead Occupational Health & Wellbeing Specialist for TPE and John Merritt-Seconded PCSO from BTP, all enthused about the benefits of Steve and Nya’s role.

Over coffee and dog treats, with many lovely interrupts from members of the public coming up to meet Nya, I was able to hear from Steve about his and Nye’s educational work. In November last year they presented to 400 pupils at Oasis Academy, Manchester, on safeguarding and the benefits of Pets as Therapy. The visit formed part of the operator’s early careers strategy, which aims to build strong partnerships with schools and create new opportunities for young people to explore the diverse roles within rail.

The programme includes career talks, workplace visits and structured work experience, supporting the government’s goal for every child to complete 10 days of work experience.

Nya proved to be the star of the morning, winning over students and staff alike while helping to highlight the importance of wellbeing in the workplace.

Steve said “It was brilliant to meet so many enthusiastic young people. Their energy and curiosity were infectious, and Nya certainly helped make the day one to remember. Engaging with schools like Oasis Academy gives us a real opportunity to inspire future generations and show that the rail industry has a place for everyone.”

Like all good celebrities, around Christmas Nya wore her Christmas outfits and travelled to Manchester Airport Station to meet with the children from Peel Hall Primary School.

While Nya was doing what she did best, Steve was not idle. As Nya took her well earned breaks Steve decided to write a book “Nya the Train Dog – a Tale of Safety and Smiles.”

On 5 March 2026 on World Book Day, the book was launched at….Crufts of course!

Steve said: “I recognised the natural way that children and families were drawn to Nya, and I wanted to harness that curiosity to create a gentle, engaging way to introduce safeguarding and rail safety messages though an educational and friendly narrative.
“It will encourage children to stay clear of the platform edge, stick close to a trusted adult, know when to ask staff for help, and understand what to do if they are lost.” The campaign will also extend into classrooms, with visits to schools supported by the company’s new Police Community Support Officers, who will help reinforce the book’s key safety themes.

Steve added: “I hope children enjoy reading this book as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it and Nya and I can’t wait to meet you all out on the TransPennine Express network when you’re next catching one of our trains.”

Nya’s fame is continuing to spread as her work as a Pet Therapy Dog becomes ever more in the public eye. Hot off the press – Nya will be off to the House of Commons because Nya has been chosen as one of the National School Dog Alliance’s Top Dogs of 2026!

Nya no doubt wagged her tale when Steve read the email to her: “Congratulations on this wonderful achievement, the judging panel was extremely impressed by the work you are doing and the positive difference it is making within your setting.”

Nya The Train Dog: A Tale of Safety and Smiles is available to read free online.

The post The dog taking the stress out of train journeys appeared first on Quays Life.

You may have visited and worshipped within the 600 year old building or you have been led to its doors because of your interest in history, in the Cathedral bells, or to find out more about the bee hives on the roof, the hate crime reporting centre, the “Cathedral Our Faith, Our Planet” a forum raising awareness on environmental issues and encouraging collaboration to tackle the climate crisis across the region’s different communities. You might have attended to a Service, a wedding, a funeral or a joyous Christmas concert. If so, you will have trodden where priests, choirs, worshippers, royalty, rich and famous, poor and hungry have walked before you. This gothic building bathed in light from its stained-glass windows, perhaps the Fire Window in Regimental Chapel, or from the many candles at a Sunday service would show the ancient architecture in a heavenly glow. You may have never ever visited the Cathedral and certainly never thought of a Cathedral in terms of a great night out for all the family, well might I suggest that the LUMINISCENCE experience at Manchester Cathedral might just change your mind!

After captivating more than one million spectators globally and illuminating 20 of the world’s most extraordinary historic landmarks, LUMINISCENCE has made its highly anticipated UK debut at Manchester Cathedral and I was absolutely honoured to attend. Combining 360° video mapping, new orchestral arrangements of iconic songs, and a narrative celebrating all that is great about the city and its people, visitors can now step into a spellbinding fusion of light, sound, and storytelling on a three-dimensional, walk-through musical journey.

Following its international success across Europe and the USA, LUMINISCENCE brings its immersive spectacle to one of the nation’s most cherished landmarks, with plans for additional iconic UK venues to follow. The experience pays tribute to Manchester’s rich cultural heritage through specially arranged orchestral renditions of legendary anthems. A brand-new script, written by BAFTA award-winning writer Tim Whitnall, is voiced by Manchester legend Christopher Eccleston, best known for his roles in Doctor Who and Our Friends in the North. The show is brought to life by the incredible Collectives Gospel Choir, adding soaring choral depth to this immersive experience, with a set list including songs by Oasis, The Verve, Joy Division, Elbow, and more.

Within Manchester Cathedral, light from a battalion of high-power projectors becomes the storyteller, transforming the ancient architecture into a vast living canvas where every statue, carving, pillar and stained-glass window comes to life and seemingly glows in harmony with the music. Breath-taking visual tableaux reveal the cathedral’s intricate architectural beauty. Layers of voices, strings, brass and woodwind resonated throughout the space, bringing to life its history. Through powerful narration, evocative sound and breathtaking visuals, LUMINISCENCE pays tribute to Manchester’s creativity, innovation, its global influence and the enduring pride of its people.

Applause rang out repeatedly during the performance at points of specific interest to the huge audience of people of all ages. It might have been the music, sparking a memory, or the sheer visual thrill as hundreds of flowers filled the archways for fleeting moments followed by another scene of devastating beauty of bees in flight, the very symbol of Manchester.

So, what exactly is LUMINISCENCE? It was created in 2023 by French based business LOTCHI. LUMINISCENCE’s mission is to promote and preserve iconic global World Heritage sites through immersive experiences combining digital and live performances.

Since its creation, more than 100,000 spectators in France alone have enjoyed their spectacular performances. A belief that art and technology have the power to tell captivating and moving stories drives this innovative business. By highlighting the most emblematic cathedrals and basilicas, guests can celebrate shared heritage through unique visual and sound shows. Using advanced 3D modelling and projection technology, every architectural detail is recreated with remarkable precision. In addition, performances integrate a sound dimension with a three-dimensional system enriched by the presence of a live choir, creating a unique multi-sensory experience.

LUMINISCENCE is actively committed to the conservation of heritage sites, by donating a portion of its revenues to the restoration of historic monuments. More than €1,000,000 has already been donated by LUMINISCENCE to the various venues that have hosted the show.

It costs over £ 1,460,000 a year to run Manchester Cathedral. The Cathedral receives no regular funding from the government or diocese. Funds are raised through initiatives and the generosity and support of visitors and congregation.

A portion of each ticket goes directly to the Cathedral to help its upkeep and preservation. This aligns with the LUMINISCENCE ethos to share, preserve and celebrate the historical monuments that provide the backdrop for its shows. Whilst the experience is designed as a walk-through, standing concert, that allows guests to fully immerse themselves in this magical setting, there is some seating available on request for anyone unable to stand for the full 45-minute performance. Audiences can choose between gold and silver ticket tiers, offering options to suit every budget. Gold tickets include fast-track entry and a sparkling wine on arrival. Silver tickets for adults start from £29 (including a 10% booking fee), with concession and groups prices available too, making this extraordinary experience accessible to all.

With a strict capacity in the Cathedral and a limited run in Manchester, audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid missing this unique experience. Performances began on Wednesday 14 January and available until 26 March 2026. Manchester Cathedral, Victoria St, Manchester M3 1SX

The post LUMINISCENCE at Manchester Cathedral: Review appeared first on Quays Life.

For me, there is no doubt that this exhibition, presented in repertory for the first time outside of London, delivers an exceptional experience which I found not only educational but emotionally resonant as once again, I held my breath and  I relived that first “Giant leap for mankind.”  Tom Hanks narration of a unique perspective on humankind’s past and future voyages to the moon is utterly awe inspiring.

The warmth of Tom Hanks’ voice as he shares his personal recollections with the audience and takes us back in time to the days of him ‘glued to the TV set in the family TV room’ sets the scene as his powerful narration begins. Co-written by Tom Hanks and BAFTA-nominated writer-director Christopher Riley, The Moonwalkers provides a gripping account of the Apollo missions of the 1960’s and ‘70s at spectacular scale, blending original NASA footage and breathtaking images from Andy Saunders’ Apollo Remastered.

Tom Hanks has said: “As a youth, I was deeply affected by the Apollo missions finally taking us to the moon for the first time in human history. I would have gone myself, given the chance. I’ve worked on many projects to re-create those times and to bring alive the scale, the risks, and the accomplishment of the voyages; the dedication and commitment of the human being who made each journey, the story of each chapter of Apollo. The extraordinary, unique production capabilities of Lightroom have allowed me, alongside writer Christopher Riley, directors Nick Corrigan and Lysander Ashton, and composer Anne Nikitin, to tell what we believe is the most visceral and enthralling version to date. We can include everyone on humanity’s journey beyond our earth of 50 years ago and for those about to come with a prelude to the next time human beings will walk on the moon: the Artemis missions.”

The whole jaw-dropping  experience is detailed and in chronological order, and a  curation masterclass. The emotions cannot but be stirred when the audience are  provided with a sense of being transported to to moon and can feel that they are seated on the moon itself. With a spectacular original score from Anne Nikitin, recorded by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, the production is a veritable feast for the senses.

I was sad that the subtitles, while they are available, are positioned high up on the wall, making them difficult to follow without craning your neck, however, the news inserts with the vast scale of the projections ensure that the visuals are captivating.

The experience is a breathtaking journey into the story of the Apollo missions and the Artemis programme, because we must look ahead to the next chapter, in space travel. The production features newly filmed interviews between Tom Hanks and astronauts from the current Artemis programme, offering audiences a glimpse into the future of crewed surface missions to the moon.

This winter I would certainly recommend stepping into The Moonwalkers – an awe-inspiring immersive experience for all ages. This extraordinary show brings the epic story of humankind’s journeys to the Moon vividly to life.

The Moonwalkers: A Journey With Tom Hanks is at Aviva Studios from 16 December 2025 to 11 January 2026 It is one of three large-scale 360° immersive experiences from Lightroom running in repertory at Aviva Studios this winter with the return of David Hockney alongside new show VOGUE: Inventing the Runway.

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Over decades I have eagerly awaited the magazine hitting the shelves each month and latterly reading Vogue online. In the earlier days of my career, I pictured myself, seated on the front row at a Paris runway, dressed to the nines, possibly wearing a hat and making shorthand notes in my beautiful notebook. Should that dream have come true, I would have most likely experienced the drama and performance of one famous designer’s work, most likely in a venue unreflective of their vision. How times have changed!

Now, the opportunity to step into Vogue’s remarkable archive and fashion network is awaiting us at Aviva Studios in Manchester. Equally visceral and insightful, the experience awaits;  in the form of the collaboration with Anna Wintour and Vogue editors, exploring the history of the fashion runway show, narrated by Cate Blanchett.

From the intimate couture salons of the early 20th century to the unforgettable pop-culture events of the present, Inventing the Runway reveals how fashion shows became the ultimate statement of a designer’s vision, and at times, a walking expression of their identity.

The experience brings together the industry’s leading voices with first hand interviews and a rich mix of media. Original animation, immersive sound design and a score fusing classical and pop music combine to evoke the world of fashion and the moments when iconic shows shifted the cultural landscape. No longer in the studios of a couturier, we have been whisked, by live streams, to the tunnels under the Seine, the Great Wall of China, Rio and beyond.

From the moment the performance begins, I learn more than I could ever have done so, if my younger self had been seated by a Parisian catwalk. Who knew that English designer Charles Frederick Worth, the ‘father of haute couture’, is credited with inventing designer labels in clothing by sewing his signature into garments in the 1850s! Neither was I aware that early Balenciaga banned press from his shows until his invited clients had viewed the collection.

VOGUE: Inventing the Runway features the work of the most significant creative minds in fashion history, including: Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Burberry, Chanel, Chloé, Christian Dior, Christopher John Rogers, Comme des Garçons, Coperni, Courrèges, Dolce & Gabbana, Dries Van Noten, Fendi, Givenchy, Gucci, Helmut Lang, Hood by Air, Hussein Chalayan, Iris Van Herpen, Jacquemus, Jean Paul Gaultier, Junya Watanabe, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Maison Margiela, Marc Jacobs, Martine Rose, Miu Miu, Moschino, Patou, Prada, Pyer Moss, Rick Owens, Saint Laurent, Schiaparelli, Stella McCartney, Thierry Mugler, Thom Browne, Tomo Koizumi, Undercover, Versace, Victoria Beckham, Vivienne Westwood, Willy Chavarria, Yohji Yamamoto

Not only is the audience transported into fantasy fashion but also into some of the designers’ very psyche, sharing part of themselves urging us to “see it, feel it.” From Dior’s 1954 ‘New Look’ to the rule breaking, fearless world of Vivien Westwood. Karl Lagerfield’s entertaining, never been done before shows for House of Chanel, always with his inimitable touch of humour, a direct opposite to the dark romance, sometimes violent shows from Alexander McQueen.

Anna Wintour, Chief Content Officer for Condé Nast and Global Editorial Director of American Vogue said: “At Vogue we’ve been lucky enough over the decades to see many incredible runway shows, which have often told the story of fashion as much as the clothes themselves. This Lightroom experience is a wonderful opportunity for a lot more people to experience first hand the thrill of watching the history of fashion unfold right in front of them.”

The statement: ‘Putting down the phone at a fashion runway is the most radical thing you can do’ has been attributed to several individuals in fashion commentary, it is certainly true of  this experience as the viewer becomes immersed in the theatre, drama and spectacle, not just before you but all around you. The Lightroom space is designed to be enjoyed from all angles and encourages you to move around the space during your visit. The joy, influence and flamboyant spectacles are brought to life by the incredible Lightroom technology. As well as the runway visuals the experience is elevated by immersive sound design, original animation, and a score fusing classical and pop music, which combine to evoke the world of fashion and key moments when iconic runway shows not only graced the pages of Vogue but shifted the cultural landscape.

Vogue: Inventing the Runway is at Aviva Studios from 17 December 2025 to 10 January 2026. It is one of three large-scale 360° immersive experiences from Lightroom running in repertory at Aviva Studios this winter with the return of David Hockney alongside new show The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks.

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Lorraine Worsley Carter sat down with well-travelled pooch, Melo Baudelaire Smith, a rescue dog adopted from the Uniao Zoofila animal rescue centre in Lisbon, Portugal, to explore what canine travel really looks like.

Melo, you have quite a following on social media, your family travels with your human pawrents and your sister have already been extensive. For the readers who don’t know you, would you like to introduce yourself and your sister?

Hello everypawdy! My name is Melo Baudelaire, and I am a proudly Portuguese mutt. My humans adopted me in January 2021 from a shelter near to Lisbon. Everyone tries to guess what breed I am – they ask if I am a mini whippet or greyhound, or even a pinscher. I like being unique! I am pretty small, around 7 kg. I came along first, and then the humans thought they might like to welcome a second doggy into our home. My big sister Aisha (even though she was adopted second, she’s older than me) moved in with us in August 2022. She was a poorly pup and so we thought she would only be with us for six months – but nearly three years later, she’s still here! We believe that tons of love and adventures has made her stronger.

You and your sister have become seasoned travellers in a relatively short time. There has been such a rise in Pet Family Travel why do you think this is happening?

Our humans say they are lucky, because we are well-behaved, quite small pups – we make it easy to travel with us. I think that pets are becoming a closer part of the family than ever before! Also, a lot of humans are seeing themselves as “pet parents” these days, rather than owners, so they enjoy having us with them on trips. And our pawrents work from home anyway, so they can work from anywhere – even when we go on our adventures!

Do you & Aisha have passports and how easy are they to obtain?

Yes, we do have European pet passports. Mine is Portuguese but Aisha’s is from the Basque country, after a mix-up in Bilbao once! I don’t know how easy they are to obtain in England, but for us they were very easy to obtain – if you are planning to take your pet on a trip, your vet will swap the usual vaccine book for a snazzy pet passport.

I believe one of your pawrents is taking a doggy first aid course?

Yes, that’s right! My human dad and I did a doggy first aid course together. We learned all sorts of cool things, like how to measure our vital signs, caring for all sorts of wounds, what to do if a dog is drowning – even dog CPR. I was dad’s practice model!

Would you share your various modes of transport and the some of the places/countries you have visited?

We usually go in the car. The humans have a small car, but there is plenty of room on the back seat for us. I go in a small travel box, and Aisha sits on the backseat using a special dog seatbelt. There has been trial and error, but that’s how we’re both at our happiest! We went on the ferry once to Spain… but none of us enjoyed it, especially not the humans – they were seasick!

So far, as well as England, we have visited Portugal, Spain, and France. This summer we’re also planning to add Wales and Belgium to that list! We always find Spain to be surprisingly dog friendly. Lots of bars and restaurants allow dogs inside.

Do your pawrents do a lot of research before they take you both on holiday?

I think they do a lot of research, yes. They spend lots of time looking on their funny phone things! Accommodation is the most important thing, so we’re all comfortable. They try to get us an outside space if they can, but we live in an apartment, so we’re using to being taken for walkies to do our business. Some places now publish dog friendly travel guides, so it’s worth asking tourist information centres before you travel. Mum was surprised to find that San Sebastian, in Spain, and Tours, in France, had them!

You say you have travelled by ferry, how was that and how could that experience have been improved. What tips do you have for furry family travellers and for the ferry industry?

We travelled from Bilbao to England on the ferry. We had a pet friendly room, so we could all be together – to get one of these, you must book very far in advance (at least six months), as they sell out quickly. Once these are gone, pets must travel in the kennels, and owners can only go and visit them. There were lots of humans who had booked a room, but they were so worried about their pet being alone in the kennels that they ended up sleeping on the kennel floor, just to be with them!

Our crossing was very rough. We were OK, but our humans didn’t feel well at all. To do our business, we had to be taken to “the poop deck”, where the humans would then collect our poop and throw it away, then hose down the area. Because it was so rough, waves were crashing onto the deck, and it was scary. I don’t think we will travel like that again! The humans also said it was very expensive – almost £1,000 for the four of us to do the crossing.

You haven’t ventured into air travel yet, why is that?

Aisha and I are too big, even at 7 kg and 9 kg respectively, to be allowed in the cabin in Europe – plus, the UK doesn’t allow dogs to depart or arrive in the cabin. So, we would have to travel in the hold, and separately to our humans. Lots of people do this, but Mum and Dad haven’t tried it yet as they worry, we will be scared on our own. 

My friend Bobby took a flight once. He is a nervy soul, so his pawrents got him used to his air  crate, which they kept in the living room. Because they were travelling long haul, he was not allowed to fly in the cabin, only in the hold. He wasn’t allowed anything in his crate – no toys or treats. All he could have was a water bottle that was attached to the outside of the crate. I think it is a safety issue, but it must be pretty horrible seeing your beloved little dog having to go in a bare crate, with only a water bottle for company! I think some humans visit the vet to give them a sedative. The humans had to drop him at the cargo depot about four hours before the flight, and then they had a fair wait to get him once they arrived at their destination. He had to have a ‘Fit to Fly’ visa, which they could only get from the vet (and only certain vets are allowed to give them ) and that was the day before the flight.

Obviously different airlines and different countries will have different rules. My humans suggest having a look on the government website about taking your pet abroad and bringing your pet to Great Britain. There’s a whole list of the airlines that will fly dogs, cats and even ferrets! Aisha and me don’t know what a ferret is though.

Are you a hotel or Airbnb Mutt?

Both! Both can be pawfect for different occasions. It’s nice when the humans can cook their own meals and let us have a bit of time in a garden. But we also love being pampered pooches in hotels, too! When we are on the road, Accor hotels like Ibis are really good and inexpensive. In Spain, we love Petit Palace and Casual Hotels. They even give doggies special treats and toys for their room!

What tips have you for pawrents on what they should look for in a hotel or Airbnb?

As long as the place allows doggies, it’s all personal preference. It is impawtant, though, to check if there is an additional cost, and what that might be. Also, some places don’t allow more than one dog, so be sure to ask. And sometimes there is a weight/size limit.

What do your pawrents pack so that you and your sister feel at home?

They pack TONS of blankets! That’s the most impawtant thing for me, especially. We have our own travel bag, ready to go when we’re heading off. Mum puts extra poop bags in there, as well as our travel bowls. She also packs some toys for me to play with – Aisha doesn’t really play, but I like to have a ball and a soft toy or two.

Have you ever disgraced or trashed a room?

Hehehe, that would be telling…! No, we haven’t, although we did go away once and Aisha was shedding a LOT, so there was fur everywhere. Accommodations usually include an extra cleaning fee for reasons like this, but Mum will often pack a lint roller and a dustpan and brush to help out a bit. And so we will be allowed to go back again!

Do establishments allow doggies into their breakfast rooms.

Mostly, no. Which is a shame. And because many places won’t allow dogs to be left in rooms on their own, this can be difficult. Humans should always ask, as sometimes hotels are happy for dogs and their owners to sit slightly away from the main breakfast room. If in doubt, the humans will sometimes book a hotel on a room only rate, and then we’ll go to a brunch place instead. Those are usually doggy friendly, so we can all go together.

How do you and your sister cope with the no doggies on beds rule in establishments.

Mum and Dad will often arrange our blankets for us on the floor, so we are nice and comfy. It’s difficult because at home we sleep on the humans’ bed, but we know we can’t always when we are travelling. Some hotels will provide dog beds, which is a nice touch!

Obviously, style is important do you have a range of outfits?

Yes, of course! We always travel with a selection of bow ties and bandanas, catered for where we are traveling. I usually need a jumper or t-shirt as well!

Have you any other tips for humans to bear in mind when travelling with doggies?

Your humans should checked with your vet before you travel, to make sure you are up to it, and also to see if there are any requirements for the countries you are visiting. For example, many will want you to have been recently wormed, and will certainly want you to have had a rabies vaccine in the last three years. If you’re traveling to a country with mosquitos, it is worth mentioning this to a vet, too, as there are certain collars and treatments that can repel them. They can carry horrid diseases.

Which are your fav haunts so far? 

In UK

Puss in Boots  www.almond-pubs.co.uk/pubs/puss-in-boots/

Acoustic Lounge Poynton  – 

Billingtons Oldham  

John Lewis

Any dog friendly pub!

In Portugal

Lisboa Plaza

Casual Hotels Belle Epoque hotel (Lisbon)

La Villa restaurant in Lisbon

Canil – dog friendly bars in Lisbon 

In Spain 

San Sebastain funicular

Petit Palace hotels

Merida – walkable city with lots of dog-friendly restaurants

Galicia, north west Spain – lots of dog friendly beaches, even in summer. 

In France 

Tours – and dog friendly castles in La Touraine region.

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As our family’s connection to Portugal has grown, so has our fascination with the country’s rich history. Since our daughter and her husband relocated to Lisbon in 2021, we’ve spent the past four years exploring the beautiful landscapes and uncovering the deep-rooted relationship between Portugal and England. Most recently, our journey took us aboard the Maiden Voyage of Cunard’s Queen Anne, where we were thrilled to see Lisbon on the itinerary.

While fellow passengers set off on their excursions, I couldn’t help but wonder how many would visit the ancient Castelo de São Jorge, perched high above the city. For those curious enough to check, they would discover that the castle is named after none other than St. George, England’s Patron Saint. But how did he come to lend his name to this fortress in Portugal?

A Royal Union and the Treaty of Windsor

The answer lies in a remarkable alliance cemented over six centuries ago. In 1386, Philippa of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, married King João I of Portugal. This union not only marked a royal marriage but also solidified the Treaty of Windsor, the oldest enduring diplomatic alliance in the world. Notably Charles III and The President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, celebrated the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance.in 2023.

Philippa, known as “the English rose of Portugal,” brought her heritage and influence to her new home. Visitors to  her marriage strengthened the political and military bonds between the two nations. This was particularly evident the following year when Portugal decisively defeated the Castilians at the Battle of Aljubarrota, fought near the field of São Jorge. The victory was attributed to the divine intervention of St. George, who subsequently became Portugal’s Patron Saint.

A Shared Crusading Heritage

The celebration of St. George in Portugal also stems from the era of the Crusades. During the Reconquest, Christian armies sought to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors. In 1147, King Afonso Henriques seized Lisbon with the aid of English crusaders. Their devotion to St. George undoubtedly played a role in his veneration across Portugal.

By 1385, King João I adopted St. George’s image for the annual Corpus Christi procession, symbolising the saint’s protection. Portuguese troops carried his flag into battle,  “Portugal and St. George!” became their rallying cry — a tradition still echoed today while the Portuguese navy prefer “Saint George!”   

The Influence of Philippa and the Order of Christ

Philippa and King João I’s children, famously known as the “Illustrious Generation,” played pivotal roles in shaping Portugal’s Golden Age of Exploration. Among them was Prince Henry the Navigator, Grand Master of the Order of Christ, a successor to the Knights Templar.

The Order of Christ, with its Templar-inspired expertise in navigation and trade, propelled Portugal to the forefront of maritime discovery. Explorers like Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias, both members of the Order, carried Portugal’s influence across the globe. From the islands of the Azores to the forts of Elmina in Ghana, tributes to St. George emerged along their routes.

St. George’s Global Legacy

St. George’s presence is now felt worldwide, thanks to Portugal’s maritime reach. In Brazil, he is not only the Patron Saint of São Jorge dos Ilhéus but also shares patronage of Rio de Janeiro with St. Sebastian. Remarkably, in Afro-Brazilian religions like Umbanda, St. George is identified with the spirit deity Ogum, symbolising strength and protection.

Even today, traces of St. George remain prominent in Portuguese culture. The emblem of the Order of Christ, a red cross on a white background, is featured on the flag of Madeira and the insignia of the Portuguese Air Force.

A Timeless Alliance

From the medieval battlefields of Portugal to the vibrant streets of Rio, the legacy of St. George continues to endure. And as you stand at the ancient Castelo de São Jorge, gazing over the rooftops of Lisbon, remember the saint whose name and spirit unite the histories of Portugal and England — a friendship forged in faith, fortified in battle, and celebrated to this day.

Next time you find yourself in Lisbon, make the climb to the castle and immerse yourself in the stories that echo through its walls. After all, every stone has a tale to tell.

Banner image: St George in the City of London Image by Mariusz Matuszewski

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But the renovations were certainly back on track on a wet Saturday in May 2023 when Bob and I parked our car and walked the pathway to Hopwood Hall Estate. We were warmly greeted as we proceeded through the archway to the hall. The greetings continued from the many volunteers at their stations, all sporting beautiful sunflower badges, until we were shown into the Great Hall. I was immediately struck by the beautiful fireplace and the words ‘By degrees’ etched into the stonework. I noticed a gentleman with a clipboard, and I asked him if he would be so kind as to point out Hopwood DePree to me. “I am he!” was his response. “Welcome to Hopwood Hall,” he continued as he shook our hands.

Little over a year has transpired, and now Bob and I have come to know this extraordinary and wonderfully creative person, Hopwood DePree, who is putting his all into saving Hopwood Hall.

So, who is Hopwood DePree? Raised in Holland, Michigan, he graduated from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. A critically acclaimed writer, performer and independent filmmaker, he now works full-time on the restoration of his ancestral Hopwood Hall.

Why would a talented, creative American come to Greater Manchester to save a crumbling stately home? The story can be told best of all in Hopwood DePree’s own words. “When I was six, my mother took our family on a road trip from Michigan to Hopwood in Pennsylvania – the town my ancestors founded after settling in the colonies in the 1700s. The Hopwoods remained there for centuries, passing the story of a long-lost English family estate down through the generations to my grandfather, who was born and raised in Hopwood, Pennsylvania, too. When my great grandmother, Alcinda Hopwood, married, she was concerned that the Hopwood surname would be lost forever. So, when my grandfather was born in 1911, she insisted that his middle name would be Hopwood, to prevent her family heritage from being forgotten – so this was how I also was given the name Hopwood. My grandfather used to tell me bedtime stories about our family forebearers and an ancestral ‘castle’ in England named Hopwood Hall. Of course, I thought he was telling me fairytales to make me proud of the name that caused me such grief in kindergarten.

“Many decades later when I was an adult living in Hollywood Hills, California, I began to have a renewed interest in the origins of my name and family history. Both my father and grandfather had passed away within a short amount of time and those losses left me searching for something deeper.

“I realised that I found a sense of comfort in tracing the past. Little did I know that my research on Ancestry.com and Google was about to lead me to a life-altering discovery, but that is exactly what happened in 2013 when I found photos of 600-year-old Hopwood Hall in Middleton, England”.

“In a flash, all the years of doubting my grandfather’s stories came to an abrupt halt. I was instantly struck with an overwhelming sense of awe and wonder. Was Hopwood Hall indeed the castle that grandfather had always told me about? Looking at the multitude of windows, the extraordinary brickwork, the numerous chimneys I thought it had to be!”

Having researched further, Hopwood found an email address for Rochdale Town Council and wrote asking if the Hall was still around. Happily, by the next morning, Hopwood had been contacted by a local historian, Mr Geoff Wellens, who was obviously truly passionate about the hall. It was not long before the emails moved on to a telephone call, and Geoff was able to fill in some of gaps about the history of the hall. Hopwood was sad to learn that the last two Hopwood male heirs in England were killed during World War I, along with no less than 24 staff members. The Hopwood parents, devastated by the loss of both their sons and beloved staff, felt they could not continue living on the estate. After 500 years of Hopwoods at Hopwood Hall, the family departed.

The hall was later bought by the De La Salle Brothers in 1946 who opened the De La Salle Teacher Training College, which trained thousands of teachers before its closure in 1989. In the 1990s the hall and its estate were sold to Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council who ran it for a short time as a community college. However, the upkeep proved too costly and in 1998 Historic England had placed Hopwood Hall on its Heritage At Risk Register.

Geoff posed a question to Hopwood: “When are you coming over?”
Hopwood travelled from Los Angeles to Manchester in May 2013.

He takes up the story once more:
“Upon arriving at Hopwood Hall, I felt like I had stepped into a real-life story book. The estate was everything my grandfather had said, and more. As we walked in, Geoff introduced me to Bob Wall, the matter-of-fact, straight-talking caretaker who had been hired by the local town council. Looking around at the state of disrepair, I could not help but silently wonder what exactly he was taking care of. Once I spoke with Bob, I realised that he, too, was passionate about saving the hall, but the place suffered from a major lack of funds. Both Bob and Geoff were long-term local residents whose families had lived there for generations, so they were quick to point out that their own ancestors had lived and worked at the hall.

“Everywhere I looked, I found astonishing links to my family history. I saw a fireplace inscribed with the year 1658, original beams dating to the 1420s, and a ceremonial wall plaque commemorating a 1689 marriage between my ancestors. I savoured the experience of seeing architectural features that my forbears would have used hundreds of years ago; the worn banisters they touched, the door handles they turned, and the inglenook they gathered in for warmth. Bob also showed me the small ‘birthing room’ where my fourteenth great-grandfather was born. The same wood panelling and fireplace, spared by the ravage of time, allowed me to reach across the centuries and connect with the past.

“Walking through the hall’s timeworn corridors, I was confronted by a stark reality. The once grand estate was on the verge of complete collapse, with crumbling walls, sagging ceilings, and encroaching mold threatening to erase centuries of history. Realisation quickly dawned that time was running out for Hopwood Hall. Bob informed me that without intervention in the next five to ten years, the building would collapse and become a ruin.”

I asked Hopwood if this was the moment that the ultimate decision had to be made. Would he decide to save the hall before it became a ruin?

Hopwood nodded enthusiastically.

“I knew that something unusual was happening in my mind. I felt an immediate sense of personal duty to help fend off the lead thieves, leaking roofs, and creeping dry rot. Faced with the estate’s grim situation, I remember thinking that if I was the only living Hopwood descendant in a position to do something to save the hall, then I must do it.

“Before my visit to the UK, my concept of historic homes was shaped by my 1920s Hollywood Hills stucco and red-tiled Spanish bungalow. Hopwood Hall began to redefine my understanding of history and heritage. In the coming months and years, as I made numerous trips back and forth from LA to Manchester to further the rescue effort, my excitement continued to grow.

“Learning about my family history from Geoff was an incredible gift that fuelled me.
Fortunately, he happened to be the caretaker of a nearby 11th century church with an ornately carved Hopwood pew, and cellars containing dusty old handwritten ledgers and maps. The church was a treasure trove of details about the Hopwood family, as was the town library next door.

“I learned that my relative Lady Susan Hopwood (1818-1906) who lived at the Hall was a pioneering environmentalist who spoke to crowds of thousands and battled for laws and fines to curb pollution from Manchester’s mills. Hearing her story and learning how she stood up and fought for her beliefs inspired me with confidence to do the same to help save Hopwood Hall.”

Toward the end of 2017, Hopwood obtained a UK visa and left LA to move to England full-time. He was on a mission to revive, restore and recreate Hopwood Hall so it could be operational once again. I asked him how his friends in LA took the news of his newfound path.

“Of course, all my friends back home thought I was crazy!” he smiled. “Nonetheless, I forged ahead and, with recently purchased umbrella and a wax jacket, I embarked on a new chapter.

“Hopwood Hall has taught me about reinvention. Like nearly all past residents of England’s historic homes, their ancestors had to constantly bob and weave around unexpected challenges to keep the estate afloat. Each century seemed to bring with it new industry; Hopwood Hall went from farming in the 1400s to milling wheat in the 1500s, followed by timber in the 1600s, mining in the 1700s, and textiles in the 1800s. These adaptions made my own leap from the entertainment business in Southern California to the restoration of a dilapidated ancestral home in the Northwest England seem quite reasonable – even though I had no construction skills, my creative spirit has soared.”

I asked Hopwood if he had formed a vision for the future of the hall – and he certainly has!
“I have been able to envision so clearly what the hall can become in the future. Perhaps for the 21st century, the hall’s new industry will be entertainment. We are well on our way with plans to develop Hopwood Hall into a destination cultural retreat with accommodation and art, theatre, music and film events”.

But had Hopwood received the legendary warmth of welcome that us Northerners are known for. He told me that he certainly has:

“One of the most unexpected joys that tethers me on this journey has been the forming of deep friendships in the UK. I have learned so much from residents. Like Geoff and Bob, many of these people have ancestors who worked at the hall and have brought wonderful photos and memorabilia depicting life at the hall over the years. Residents in the area have returned old books, furniture, and artwork that they believe once belonged to the hall. Some seniors have donated their family heirlooms – including a grandfather clock from 1699 – as a legacy gift to the hall. These donors have the comfort of knowing that their much-cherished items will be housed and appreciated for the long term. Other people have come forward with their own stories of relatives who worked at the hall during World War II. Indeed during the war, because management was afraid that their employees would be bombed in central Manchester, the Lancashire Cotton Company moved to Hopwood Hall.”

I asked Hopwood if there was now a typical day in his new life as saviour of Hopwood Hall. “Emails and phone calls consume most of the morning, then I meet with our team of heritage experts and our dedicated volunteers. With major support from grant funders such as Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Architectural Heritage Fund, we have been able to make great strides. I helped found the Hopwood Foundation for Heritage, Arts, Education, and Inspiration, and achieving UK registered charity status marked a significant milestone in the collective effort to save Hopwood Hall.”

I mentioned to Hopwood my personal admiration for his team when I met them, especially as I had the opportunity to spend some time on my visits to the hall to meet the volunteers. The volunteers have formed several separate groups, each focused on a specific area. On my last visit, the gardening club had won a second award for their work on restoring the hall’s gardens. There is also the Archive Club, which focuses on finding, organising, cataloguing, and protecting historic materials; the Fundraising Club; and the Preservation Club, which prioritises securing, protecting, and improving the hall. Hopwood Hall is literally a hive of worker bees!

One of the goals of the Hopwood Hall restoration project is to seamlessly interweave an educational component by using experts and artisans to train people interested in learning heritage skills. I asked Hopwood how this was progressing.

“We are engaging with primary schools, as well as nearby colleges and universities, and often run heritage skills training workshops to teach people how to make leaded glass windows, create and repair historic plaster designs and moldings, and carve wood. Additional types of crafts will be added in the future. It is extremely rewarding to watch someone (including me!) learn these techniques and then have their work incorporated into the hall’s restoration.

“The Hopwood Hall adventure has also taken me in other unexpected directions. After many people contacted me, wishing that they too, could locate their ancestral homes, I helped to co-found Storied Collection, a company that represents numerous privately owned castles, manors, and estates throughout the UK and Ireland. In collaboration with Ancestry.com, users can now search for ancestral homes, connect with the properties directly, and rent them for private stays, family retreats and weddings.

“Overall, my journey from being an American with a strange name to a custodian of Hopwood Hall has been a testament to the power of familial stories, community support, and a deep sense of responsibility. The restoration of Hopwood Hall is not merely about preserving the past, it is an ongoing narrative of resilience, adaption, and the enduring spirit of preservation. As the restoration efforts continue, I remain committed to ensuring that the rich history within these walls of Hopwood Hall stands as a testament to the legacy of all those who came before us.”

Of course, being the creative that Hopwood is, he has used the power of film and of the written word to document the renovation progress. He has launched a YouTube channel and has written a fascinating book, Downton Shabby, chronicling his adventure to date.

I have every faith that Hopwood will realise his vision for the Hopwood Hall, and, on that day, I am sure that the wording ‘By degrees’ on that beautiful fireplace I saw on my first visit will have a resonance; because, by degrees, Hopwood DePree will have saved Hopwood Hall Estate for posterity.

Visit website for more details.

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