A view northwards taken from the city centre on Tuesday, with the 234ft (71m) ventilation tower of Strangeways prison in the middle distance. I was working on the same road as Strangeways, at a printers, during the riots of April 1990. The riots necessitated a major rebuild costing £80 million, with the 25 day long rioting injuring 147 staff and 47 prisoners, with one prisoner and one prison officer dying.
The prison was built on the grounds of Strangeways Park and Gardens, which gave the prison its original name, and was officially opened on 25th June 1868. The prison's walls are rumoured to be 16ft thick in places. Although a male prison, three females were amongst the 63 executions that took place here. Margaret Allen was the third, hanged on 12th January 1949.
A list of well known people imprisoned here is at the Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_Prison_Manchester
These include some wrongly gaoled such as suffragette Christabel Pankhurst who was sent to Strangeways in 1905 when she simply called for rights for women at a Liberal Party meeting. So much for British democracy!
See other sky views from around the world at Skywatch Friday: http://skyley.blogspot.com/
Gosh, I remember the Strangeways riots.
ReplyDeleteLove this pic with the marvellous blue sky.
I always thought it was an odd name, never knew of the park, though I recall the riots. Seeing the tower I would never have guessed what it was, looks to me like some of the old industrial chimneys.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Chrissy and a wonderful picture. Love the name of it.
ReplyDeletebeautiful photo! love the sunlight in the background.
ReplyDeleteGood shot Chrissy, the tower looks impressive against that dramatic sky, gosh what a history that prison has, many a story to be told there I bet. Thanks so much for your good wishes over the last few days, very much appreciated. Hope you have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe tower is lovely. I would never have guessed it was a prison though. The sky is beautiful too!
ReplyDeleteWonder why a prison needs a ventilation tower? Something to do with a lack of windows I expect! Nice shot with the sunlight on the buildings in the background and that steel blue sky. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteI was living in Britain when the Strangeways Riots occurred and remember it well. When I think of Strangeways I think of The Smiths and that record cover shot and Boddington's Ale, "The Cream of Manchester". I have a lovely ceramic Boddies ashtray with the bees and shaped like a hive, that my wife still uses. I recall reading that sadly the brewery moved to some industrial estate and they demolished it, must've been a sad day for you Mancs.Enjoy your weekend Chrissy, love you blog!
ReplyDeleteIt resembles nothing so much as the minaret pointing up from a mosque below! Is it possible that British architects in India, building in the 'Saracenic' style at the same time, could have influenced its design?
ReplyDeleteawesome images!!!
ReplyDeletegood pics!!
ReplyDelete