Manchester & Salford. Five trivial historic relics.

In this video we are in Manchester UK looking at five trivial historic relics. Firstly we are in Openshaw looking at an Industrial railway or the remains of it. Where the railway tracks went along the main road to English Steel. We even have a picture of the Industrial locomotive. Then we move on to Manchester city centre to look at the Goulden Street Police and fire station. A victorian police station. Onwards to Angel meadow a site of extreme poverty to look at the remains of an old Victorian building. Then on to Salford to look at the remains of a tramway and a landslide that closed the tramway. Finally we look at the remains of a bridge that was another industrial tramway of the Lancashire coal field. this is a Manchester history tour video.

[@MartinZero]

Smiths covers by Dean. Facebook/sensorytriggered. Artwork Danny Ranks kzbin.info

[@Belznis]

fantastic tracks to accompany the video.

[@memorialgardens1664]

Martin 🧠💙💪🙏 thank you for making this video ….can’t hide everything Can they 🙃

[@Muscles_McGee]

At about 14:00 you mention your explore vid of the Irk River Tunnel. Can you give a link, I'd love to see it. Thank you!

[@MartinZero]

@@Muscles_McGee Exploring Underground Manchester. Rivert Culverts and Hidden Bridges Does that work

[@MartinZero]

@@Muscles_McGee kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6PcZap5g9CdoNU

[@geoffdecorator307]

I was born in Hr Broughton in 1964 ,the landslide or Lanny as we call it was our play ground as kids .Been back even in the last couple of years ,the tram tracks went up along Great Clowes street which gets its name from Captain Clowes who owned most of the land in the area including Clowes park ,aka Broughton park or the duck park for short .The landslide occurred in the 1920s and later again in the 30,s ,it was caused by soil erosion due to the rain water run off coming down from the areas further up the road .The weight of the trams further accelerated the collapse of the road .Those houses who see along the path away could at any moment go down the hill too .The massive amount of the trees you see today was not there at the time of the landslide as they planted afterwards to stop the soil erosion .The dressed stones you were seeing were part of the grand mansion houses that once stood in the valley before it collapsed ,there was a road way into the valley further up Bury new road .The grand houses were built by the Greeks in the 1820s who were related to the British royal family and also the Heaton family who owned Heaton park etc ,this explains the Greek church further down the road .Scarr wheel further along the river bank to your left down Lower Broughton is famous also but thats another story .Over looking and across from the irwell on what was the well known Manchester racecourse site which closed in the 60s ,my great grandparents were the stewards of the site for years .In local knowledge a murder also took place down the lanny with the victim found in a drain culvert in the 70s ,spent a lot of my youth down the lanny back in the 70s .Right at the bottom on the rivers edge is redbank and back in the scorching hot summer of 76 we actually walked across the irwell ,i was 12 at the time ! Hr Broughton has more history than most places .

[@p.g.9427]

Great knowledge pal, my old man is also from Higher Broughton, he told me the landslide happened due to the area running right over the Pendleton fault. Have you heard anything about that ?

[@Biffo1262]

I often wondered why the land at the back of my final posting at Broughton Fire Station was always known as the Lanny. In my day it was just a means for the local scores to get into the station whilst we were out or even one day when we were in to nick what they could carry.

[@sharonlivingstone7163]

I was also born at the cliff, 325 Gt Clowes street in 1966. The house was huge as was the garden. Loved playing out on cobbled street both Gt Clowes and used to go for walks along the Lanny with my sister's. Also loved the sound of car wheels on cobbles.

[@jameslynch5716]

You could see MANU training ground from Lany.

[@jetsons101]

Martin, A true Historian will always get excited over "Small Trivial Relics." This video really takes me back to your early work, I mean that in a good way. As always a enjoyable and fun watch. You are one great local historian.

[@knowlesy3915]

Completely agree.

[@alexac3098]

I live across the pond, in Arizona, and a couple of years ago I stumbled upon a short video about the history of St. Michael's Flags and Angel Meadow. It intrigued me enough to search for more and that's how I found your channel. You have the BEST urban exploration channel on KZbin, and today's video is a prime example of the things I find most fascinating about Manchester. And there are HUNDREDS of things like that in the metro area! Even though I live thousands of miles away, in the year or so I've been subscribed, I've watched so much about Manchester that I've come to feel I know it well, like a second home. There's so much physical history there - it really started to be eradicated at the end of the 20th century, but there's just enough left that people are starting to catch on how important it is to preserve what's left. I know Manchester has really been booming again in the last decade or so, and that's dangerous to a lot of these sites. I'm quite salty about the development right around Angel Meadow because anything old that close to the city center is really at risk at being torn down. It makes me fear for the remains of the sunday school wall you found along Gould Street. They've already put up apartments where a car park used to be, and discovered in preparation the ruins/remains of slums of terraced housing from the early/mid 19th century that had been paved over. Of course they completely demolished everything. Really loved the bits with the wall at Angel Meadow and Redby St. Fascinating work.

[@lewiswilliamsartist8394]

It really breaks my heart to see my city being torn up , I park my car at stude hill car park adjacent to angel meadow right next to that chimney of the old police and fire station then I’m shopping etc as I live in Middleton , so I drive the Rochdale road there and back , and one time I found myself walking around the fencing of the construction site to see all the old slums and courtyard foundations , and I just wish that one day we have someone in charge that could put glass over it as a flooring instead of asphalt , I’m glad you love my hometown

[@pjjohns1]

I too live 'across the pond' but my Mum and family is from Collyhurst. I agree that you are an amazing urban explorer! I would love to meet you one day when I come to visit family. Hopefully summer of 2022! Keep up the great work Martin! Thank you!

[@badlarry172]

come and visit us in the North West you'll love it here, its a bit grey but we are friendly 😉

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Virtually every industrial city in Britain will have similar relics. I am from Coventry and know of many in that area. Also nearby Birmingham would be a veritable treasure trove of relics from the past. As time passes though, more and more of the relics disappear forever.

[@pepperthekobold]

For anyone who cares to know regarding the Stephenson and Hawthorn 0-4-0 ST: 0-4-0 is the wheel arrangement - 0 leading wheels, 4 driving and 0 trailing wheels. Being such a small and relatively slow locomotive, leading and trailing wheels were not necessary. ST refers to 'saddle tank' in that the water tank is, if you like, draped over the top of the boiler like a saddle is over a horse's back.

[@timschultz7597]

Knowing the history of one's hometown gives one a greater appreciation for it. How the place formed and came together, the struggles it faced, and the progress its made. One thing that is obvious, is how your heart is breaking due to all the "progress" that is being made in Manchester. I live in Nashville, Tennessee and this place is EXPLODING with people and development. The city is, as you say, a shadow of its former self. So much of what made Nashville, Nashville; the unique places and monumental events which gives historical context to where we have been, is being lost or already has been. I feel we are kindred spirits in that regard. Martin your video is absolutely splendid!!! I am already on my second viewing. These places are a treasure. Thank you for sharing with the rest of us.

[@Odin029]

It's funny you mention Nashville. When Martin showed the tracks in the abandoned street, I thought about how here in Nashville, the city tore up a perfectly good street to get at the old tracts buried under the asphalt because pre-nuclear steel is worth enough money to make all that expense worth it. Overall though I don't hate everything about the city's growth. I think it's funny that when I was in college 20+ years ago all the guys from the bigger cities made fun of where I'm from. Now people from Chicago, Detroit, etc are either vacationing here, or moving here.

[@jailbird1133]

Nashville has turned blue. Thats never a good thing.

[@Odin029]

@@jailbird1133 Every mayor of Nashville has been a democrat since at least Briley who was elected in 1963

[@jailbird1133]

@@Odin029 they werent leftists, decades ago. Now they are.

[@jailbird1133]

@@Odin029 and there were conservative and moderate Democrats. The progressives took over and pulled the party leftward.

[@anneforster510]

Loved this Martin, not trivial to me. Particularly the Kersal Vale piece. Just off the map you showed in the bottom right was a grand house called Cliff House, long since demolished . Canon (at Manchester Cathedral) Oswald Seargant lived there and in his employment in 1841 was Isaac Sumner an ancestor of mine who worked at the house as a butler. His family lived in the poorer area of Lower Broughton. I have pored over maps of the area for many years and knew there had been landslips in the past. I remember walking around the area quite a few years ago to get a feel of the place. I think it's an amazing area, for instance did you know just over Bury new Road from Kersal Vale at Northumberland St there was a short lived Zoo , long before Belle Vue was even thought of.

[@KidCurry666]

There's been some good stuff on your channel this year, but for me this is the best. Bite size snippets of gold, so interesting, brilliant 👍 Thanks Martin and team, have a great Christmas 🎅

[@andrewthornegeo]

I totally agree. Your passion brings it all to life.

[@missmerrily4830]

Martin, it's hard not to catch your infectious enthusiasm. I didn't know Manchester at all until I started watching your channel but I find it so fascinating. Your first 'trivial' relic was actually really touching, having seen the photographs of how Redby Street/Wood Street once looked. And even a little mystery with the name change. That on its own is interesting. If you ever find out why, please let us know! There was actually nothing trivial about any of the treasures you showed us. It's living history and I loved it!

[@kohedunn]

Very well put Miss Merrily !!

[@daveclucas4663]

The Openshaw part brought back some memories. In 1964 I started my apprenticeship at Depot Engineering in Clayton. I rode my bike from home in Longsight to work and passed English Steel every day. At that time the steam locos were still in use. I still remember them crossing the road.

[@seasidesandles]

Martin. Thank you so much for the English Steel footage. My father worked there in the 50s and 60s as transport manager. I always wondered what sort of place it was. I knew he was responsible for shipping their goods out all over the world and he would sometimes come home inebriated when he’d been invited on board ship. Anyway thanks again.

[@j0hnf_uk]

The railings off walls were removed for the war effort during the 1940's. There's many examples all over the UK were you can see bits of iron sticking out of flagstones all the way along the entirety of walls that used to have tall railings running along them. Even some park entrances that were huge structures made of iron were taken away and melted down to make war-related machines.

[@jonathanmimnagh8956]

Warrington Town Hall gates (aka the golden gates) escaped this fate as did the gates of my local Church, St Bartholomews in Rainhill, although the original railings were lost & only replaced in the 80s to minimise trespass & vandalism.

[@patagualianmostly7437]

I read somewhere, some years back.... That the removal of railings etc was more of a morale booster..." Doing it for the War Effort". A sort of publicity stunt.............. I was always somehow sceptical as I would have thought that 'old iron' was not really suitable for armour...but maybe to replace damaged railway lines...or some such? Can anyone throw any further light on this? Be much appreciated..... I remember well how all the stumps were left from my childhood....from many civic places in and around Manchester.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

All over Coventry virtually every metal railing was cut off. A great shame as you can imagine how much prettier all the walls would have been with their original railings in place. But the metal was needed for the war effort. My parents said they were told they would be compensated but of course no compensation was ever paid.

[@subliminaljuggernaut7278]

@@patagualianmostly7437 this is true. the metal was the wrong type for making what they said. But people did it to be seen to make a sacrifice. bit like banging pans during the covid pandemic. And it made suburbia poorer. just goes to show that there are stupid people who form compulsory trends in every generation who do more harm than good

[@73Datsun180B]

@@patagualianmostly7437 old iron makes new steel

[@swampthing20]

Oh my god Martin, this one is pure quality. As soon as I saw the thumbnail for this I knew exactly where you were and couldn't wait to watch it. As I watched more I also couldn't believe where else you'd been. I took pics of Redby Street about 10 years ago, mesmerised by it after years of driving past it on the way to work. Ashton Old Road is a series in itself. From Edge Lane to Pin Mill Brow there must only be three or four original buildings left; two miles of complete decimation over the years. Prime example is your old map at 5:00, virtually everything is gone, including on that map Whitworth Hall and the Public Baths (shamefully lost only a couple of years ago); the Lads Club is just about standing but it needs saving. So onto Angel Meadows and the first thing I spot in the photo of the old Sunday School is the mullioned windows, and was praying that it was those you'd start to talk about. So chuffed that you then walked round to Gould Street. I took photos of those same old windows quite possibly on the same photo session 10 years ago. I was in awe and wonder then, and still am when I drive past now. How brilliant that you've provided all that backstory for us. A joy to watch. Also great that you were back round the old police station too. These trivia relics videos are brilliant, so many things to show and document around Manchester. I know you're only one guy and you've no doubt got an ever-growing wish list of things to film, but I'm craving even more of these. Amazing as ever mate.

[@laszlofyre845]

And all the pubs along AOR, now only 2 remain,,,,,progress? My fat hairy arse!

[@Theoobovril]

As I have mentioned before, Martin, as a Londoner then I find London's history is both important and very interesting, but clearly so well matched by that of Manchester's too. I never cease to be amazed at what you have discovered, in and around Manchester, over the past few years, your work is both very valuable and important too.

[@tuk2433]

Perfect Video. Perfect Music A Sunday treat. Detailed and explained History.Trains! Brick! No distractions. No moustache boys. " There is a Light that never goes out ".

[@blastithenry]

You realise how old you are when the places you played as a child are long since gone. Where I played as a kid is almost unrecognisable now. Much has long gone, and when you look at it, not all for the best. Town I lived in now a toilet, heartbreaking. It might not have been that wonderful, but now? All in a lifetime and I am not dead yet!

[@dumptrump3788]

My mother remembered the train hauling wagons to & from the steel works in Openshaw. FYI she also told me about seeing gun barrels (she always described them as "Battleship gun barrels) across Rochdale Road from Sudell Street during WW2. When I was young I remember the train tracks that crossed there & once our bus (a number 17) was held up by a train actually crossing the road. This would have been around 1962-65 & I don't recall it happening again.

[@hazeluzzell]

I have just found your channel and I’m loving it. My Mum was born in Salford in 1905, my Father in Manchester in 1905. I’m 81. Coincidentally, I have just started reading Dean Kirby’s book about Angel Meadow. I’ve been researching my family history, and discovered that one of my ancestors was one of the first of Manchester’s Police Constables. I’m off now to watch the rest of your video’s. Thanks very much!

[@markshaw4382]

Another great video Martin. I am a Yorkshireman who was exiled to East Manchester in the early '90s for work and fell in love with this great city. There is nothing trivial about these finds - truly evocative hints of a great industrial past. I really hope that the continued development of the city is carried forward in way that is sympathetic with its heritage and allows future generations to feel the true identity of where they live. (lovely doff of the cap towards The Smiths too!) Thanks!

[@happi-bollox]

I used to live as a kid of 9 in Knowsley St off Cheetham Hill Rd in the 60's. We used to go exploring and used to play at the river Irk where you stood talking about the new river development. The river ran red in those days. I played football on the flags where you could see the stone slabs covering the cholera victims...we used to think it was the plague that killed them. We also explored the old Sunday school building. You've stirred up so many childhood memories and I'm very grateful for your continuing work.

[@brianartillery]

Loved this video, Martin. Trivial things can usually turn out to be the most interesting things. A great job of cataloguing some ephemeral history, too. Dean's music was the icing on the cake. Nice one.

[@pdtech4524]

Great finds, yes these are little gems, historically it's incredible these finds are still here! I grew up in a street like Redby Street, small little 2 up 2 down back to back terraced housing with no bathroom, from the same era long since demolished. We moved to much more modern council housing. Years later I visited that street where I grew up and it was interesting to see they hadn't built over them, it was just waste land but I could still see where our front door step was, just that little reminder was quite emotional to see, to think I had stepped on that each time we went in our little house. Ever since I always look at derelict or abandoned buildings in a different way, these were once peoples homes or work places and I can appreciate the history etc I've found like old railway infrastructure by roads where the railway has long since gone, the old bridge abutments and track side brick work will often be integrated into existing road side walls etc

[@MartinZero]

We moved from a terraced street into council as well

[@alanstarkie2001]

I used to go down the 'cliff' or the 'landslide' a lot when we were kids. I suspect that pipe discharged right into the Irwell. Rainwater drain probably or even sewage. The river stunk in the 1960s and quite often white foam blew off the river. I think you can even see that happening on one of the scenes in the film 'Hobson's Choice', the courting scene filmed near the weir at Peel Park. I didn't get to the bit about fountains! You're probably right.

[@markkilley2683]

Thanks for this. I was born in 63. It gives me an idea of what life was like then.

[@martinjcamp]

Simply Brilliant Trivia. What a load of fun figuring our what it all is. Funny thing is, dig down more, and you'll find the Saxons, then the Romans, then the Cavemen and Caveladies. .

[@Cortinaman63]

I can see why finding these small things excite you, and why you love them, because I loved seeing them too, adored the cobble streets and tracks, the fragments of glass still in the windows, all these years on, the old gate post and cone shape at it's base, and the old photos, another gem of a video, from your fantastic channel, thanks Martin I really enjoyed this.

[@lazyhazeldaisy9596]

Really interesting Martin I loved the cobbled street with the rails on and still in remarkable condition hopefully they will integrate it into the redevelopment I really hope so, I find it heartbreaking to see these old relics of the past just brushed aside.

[@donnaelizabethcampbell5559]

Ahhhh watching this brings back childhood memories in Salford, walking around Landslide known as the Cliff ahhhh happy days ❤️💋🙏✝️Thankyou

[@frankparsons1629]

Redby Street and the old photos, make me weep. Then the remains of St.Michaels Hall too, its all meat and drink to me, thank you so much for sharing. I'm a lifelong Archaeologist and Industrial Archaeologist, since the age of 7, when I started to dig up my Dad's garden, I assisted with a dig on a Roman Villa at 11, joined the Salisbury Museum as an amateur on the digging team, and recorded and photographed secular buildings and churches, drawing ground plans of churches & recording Industrial buildings, great monolithic edifices such as Otterbourne pumping works (Winchester) with their truly massive steam pumping engines. For many years I was honoured to know, and to work with Peter de B Nicholson (Salisbury), a no nonsense Yorkshireman from whom I learnt so much, from half timbered medieval dwellings to Victorian bricks and roof tiles - bless him, long gone now. I'm 75 and it is all just as exciting and interesting now as it was 65 years ago, but alas so much has been swept away in the name of progress, but unfortunately it isn't progress in any shape or form, its simply eradicating a whole way of life, communities gone forever, it brings a lump to your throat. Great video, so interesting, keep it up - meat and drink lad. Terrific!

[@suchcone]

Another video that has the magic. Angel Meadow is my favourite park in Manchester and love how much history there is.

[@andycarter4488]

Nothing is trivial if it stirs up memories of the past, especially your own. My dad first pointed out the Rail tracks in Redby Street to me nearly fifty years ago when I was a boy and explained to me what they were. He said he remembered seeing the traffic on Ashton Old Road being stopped by a man with a red flag so that locomotives could pass from one side to the other. This must have been some time in the late 1920's or early 30's. Just before Christmas I had occasion to walk into Manchester to attend a training course and I was glad to see that the street and the tracks were still as I remembered them. Your channel is brilliant and I often wish I was there with you! Please keep it up.

[@mci6830]

Enjoyed that. Our, once rich, former industrial nation.

[@leemorris3805]

OMG Martin!! When I commented earlier on Instagram and mentioned that my ancestors lived on Old Mount Street next to Angel Meadow in the 1850s, I never imagined that one of the places in this video would be exactly there!!!! So yes, the Angel Meadow bit was my favourite . I wonder if any of my ancestors attended that Sunday School ?? Another amazing video Martin ....feels like one of your classic episodes already!! All the best, Lee from Wiltshire. ( But Mancunian at heart)

[@bobarmitage7992]

Hi Martin my farther was born in Wood Street and worked at Vickers up till the end of the war. I served my time 15 year old till 21 now called English steel until 1961 and the Steam engine was painted Green. I love your channel and watch you from Sunny South Africa

[@garethparr9482]

Martin I’m sure nearly all us subscribers found it fascinating. There is so much history that we can see plain as day but we open our eyes to look for the more obscure there’s a wealth to be discovered. Love it 👍

[@COL-1]

Don't play down these finds, they're all incredibly interesting, the information you provide from your research enhances your videos tenfold.

[@dawnlovejoy8917]

We love these remnants of the industrial past as much as you, no matter how trivial. Thank you for sharing them.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much Dawn

[@dawnlovejoy8917]

@@MartinZero Thanks Martin, your channel was a life saver during covid lockdown isolation. The quality of your production and editing is impressive.

[@steveclarke6257]

Martin, re: Openshaw engineering sites. My father said that the "tramway" was to move forgings betweening the two sites on either side of the main road, and this was still happening in the 1930s; when he did his engineering apprenticeship at Crossleys ( which had it's buildings at the junction between Ashton Old Road and what was Forge Lane is now Alan Turing Way).

[@haydne]

I found your video of the boat ride down the Manchester Ship Canal yesterday and I enjoyed it, so thanks for that. I'm 65, Salford born and bred but for the last 20 odd years have lived in Malvern, Worcestershire. I have started watching your videos of Manchester and Salford and I love them. Lots of memories coming back. The railway line on a cobbled street made me think of Eccles New Road outside the bus station at the bottom of Weaste Lane, I saw the road dug up and there were the tram lines and cobble stones, once covered by tarmac and soon to disappear again. We had trams back in the day, got rid of them and now they're back, makes you smile! Anyway, keep doing these videos!

[@mrsgenehunt48]

I get excited by these kind of little things, makes my soul happy. Echos of the past giving us something to smile about. Keep finding them and keep sharing them please 😊

[@iLuvTenerife]

Fab video Martin 😁, good to see Danny, and Dean providing the music. It always gives me a buzz to see rails still in the road. Sad to see the old pictures of communities that have long since gone. Thanks once again 😀

[@mkendallpk4321]

Martian, a brilliant job of showing us the remnants of the past. I liked St. Michael's. Especially when you used those lights to highlight what is left of the building. Just beautiful.

[@AvaT42]

🇨🇦My favourite was the tall brick chimney! 😁

[@fatimaali8645]

I love the small trivial relics they are a glimpse into our past … we can see how they lived and how things were made …. Love history x

[@douglasfleetney5031]

Just looking at the 1892-1914 map of the area seems like the tram line had been singled past the slipping point. It maybe have been double track right along Great Clowes Street but by 1892 the road was bad enough for one line to have been lifted. Now those 'heavy' trams which weighed all of 5 tons being propelled by two 25 hp motors. Not exactly the great lumbering beasts that you may think. Brilliant stuff Martin. I really enjoyed that, thanks for making.

[@johncopple5525]

Great Clowes Street collapsed in 1927, I lived in lower broughton as a child in the 1950s, We spent many happy hours playing in the Landslide, as we knew it, no health & safety in them days.

[@mikeclarke3882]

That was great Martin, thank you, and thanks too Danny. Amazing how little remnants of the past find their way into our time. When I look at a modern google map of the area I grew up in (C-on-M) around the junction of Upper Brook St and Hathersage Rd near Victoria Baths, it's amazing what has survived and what hasn't.

[@patagualianmostly7437]

I did that too...and Wood Street, Openshaw, jumped out.... and there they were: The railway lines on Redby/Derby St.... Amazing stuff. (I'm pretty sure I swam in Victoria Baths when I was a trainee Fireman...for GMC...1975...Trained at London Road, Piccadilly....Now, that is a glorious piece of architecture!)

[@paulmullen745]

These need to be highlighted as nostalgia sites part of Manchester history.

[@Historianphil]

Marvellous work. Was born and raised in a terraced house like those in Redby Street, behind the old Cheetham Hill Library - Kitchen Bank - now gone. Seeing the remains, is a reminder of the mass demolitions of our homes and communities in the 60s/70s.

[@chrishope9896]

Love this. Why can’t “Redby Street” be cleared as a walk through and maintained as a part of our history. I now live in Australia, a place with very little history, and I love diving back into history every time I get back.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

They probably have some grand plan for that land. But you are right, it would be neat to save that little bit of history.

[@28YorkshireRose12]

No particular favourites, but my attention was got at the mention of Openshaw.. Openshaw is inexorably linked with one of my personal favourite modern military historic sites. There were three such wartime sites that were commissioned in the UK, but Portsdown Hill is the one I know best. Openshaw was the home of "Ferguson & Palin" - Manufacturers of industrial electrical switchgear, joint boxes and electromechanical control equipment. Ferguson & Palin were commissioned by the WD to equip the fuel oil storage depots at Portsdown Hill, Inchindown and Lyness. There were other, pre-existing, and later additional sites. I don't know if Ferguson & Palin were involved in those, but I see no reason for them not to be. In the 'big three' depots, there were hugely monstrous pumps to move the oil to and from the storage tanks. Again, I can't say if Ferguson & Palin built the pumps, but the electrical control gear was definitely all theirs. Ferguson & Palin were eventually absorbed into GEC in the 1960s, and then GEC was absorbed into AEI. I'm not sure when the Openshaw works was closed, but I seem to recall 1967 being mentioned, somewhere along my researches. Among the last British naval vessels to be supplied by the Ferguson & Palin equipment were the Leander class frigates, and the Royal Yacht "Britannia". Ferguson & Palin may have disappeared in the 1960s, but their electrical equipment lasted from being commissioned in 1939, until it was finally decommissioned in 1993. Not a bad record for equipment that was hastily installed for wartime, and a definite feather in the cap of a smaller northern industrial company entirely based in Manchester. It would be interesting to discover if anything remains of the Ferguson & Palin works, and it is so tempting to ponder the possibility that some of the steel products from the English Steel works might have been destined for Ferguson & Palin.

[@christinecondon4386]

Ferguson and Palin was demolished recently and the area is being built on at the moment.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

GEC wasn't absorbed into AEI. AEI was absorbed into GEC. I know because I worked for GEC and worked on the closure of the AEI factory in London.

[@steveyogilmore5314]

'There's a light that never goes out' homage ! Beautiful.

[@MartinZero]

Oh yes 😀

[@pjjohns1]

Wow! Thank you Martin! It's not just you that gets excited about these changes! Thank you!

[@timwy]

Absolutely brilliant video ! Historical reporting at its best !! Well done Martin !

[@carlrehnberg4581]

Thank you for the bonus Irk part. I hope there will be more on Irk in the future. I know, I am probably a bit "special", being a Swede who loves a river in Manchester that I have never seen in real life. In regards of rivers and landslides. People tend to forget how much dirt a river will be moving every year, and that must be replaced in the end. This will cause any loose dirt on the banks to start to flow into the river, and over time any dirt river side will suffer from landslides. Natures bulldozer of sorts.

[@countesscable]

I was absolutely riveted by this! I am fascinated with finding out the prior history of places and will spend hours over map and take photos. There are often the ‘ghosts’ of former building, such as the outline of a roof on the wall, kerbstones in the middle of a carpark, a strip of stone wall between 2 modern buildings. Fantastic!

[@allanspence1347]

This is a fabulous video, Martin. It makes me sad to think that all this history has been destroyed and now what little is left will be gone forever. I thank you, from the bottom of my heart for making these historical records.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Allan

[@barryhansen6854]

Martin the glass remnants Dean spotted in the frame are the same as over here in NZ the only thing I could think of is the kids need light to read and write, but the religious leaders didn't want the kids distracted by being able to see outside. the wire inside the glass would have been an early form of safety glass. The pipe would would have been the supply of water to the fountains for sure, but what pressurize it maybe worth another visit thanks for this episode.

[@nedseagoon5101]

Absolutely brilliant Martin. Right up my street, that. Just like the Martin videos of your early days. I wish we had someone like you around Birmingham & the Black Country doing this stuff. It’s the small things that matter. I’ve seen bits of old wall round where I live & have wondered what it was. I keep thoughts like that to myself, as people will think I’m mad! Fantastic. Enjoyed every minute.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Birmingham would be a fantastic place to do videos like this.

[@UKAbandonedMineExplores]

Wow, that first one really has survived well, should be preserved. I must be like you, I found all that interesting lol

[@Osk.S57]

Hard to imagine living in the terraced houses either side of Redby St.The vibration and noise. Not to mention the steam and coal smoke belching out. When i played out on the street as a kid all we had to look out for was a car, and they were few and far between. Never mind a train coming straight through your jumper goal posts.

[@MartinZero]

I would of love a train going down my street

[@yorkie2789]

Really interesting stuff Martin, I share your joy. Loved the Smiths covers as usual, been listening to their stuff just recently, its really stood the test of time.

[@enemyfruitloop5858]

Hi Martin, Scotland was completely flooded earlier this year during that heavy rain storm, typical Manchester summer. The underground car park opposite where you were stood was almost completely submerged. This might be why they are exploring new flood defence options.

[@josephinemitchell9504]

What to wash all this away in one swift swoop.

[@Iceman-135]

It proper stunk around that area after the flood too. I worked on Roger Street when it occurred and the smell from that car park underground was nasty, or anging to put it another way. I don't blame them for trying to make the bottom of the river lower as its already quite high when it rains in a normal season.

[@victorgoncalves2442]

Fabulous work Martin ,true historian .I know very well that area in Openshaw , and the area where were the entrance for the 'English Steel' ,its now 'Cascade' Machining Manufactory ,and carrying on into the yard , on the other end is where im currently working ,on Thomas Storey Fabrications, JCB skips, hyd./fuel tanks , Dennis Eagle bin trucks chassis , Nifty Lift parts, are made there . Amazing to find out that all that area was 'English Steel' . Thanks for the amazing work , take care .

[@peterstratton4075]

This Poem is for You Martin 👍 Into My Heart an air that Kills, From Yon Far Country Blows, What are those Blue Remembered Hills, What Spires, What Farms are those, That is the Land of Lost Content, I see it Shining Plain, Those Happy Highways where I Went, And Cannot Come Again. Thanks Martin 👌

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Peter, Did you write it 👍

[@peterstratton4075]

@@MartinZero NO Mate, Wish I had! It was written by A. E. Housman, We all remember the things that You "Resurrect from the past" and the History You put together with it is Brilliant, You give a lot of People a lot of pleasure remembering Thier Youth, I thought this Poem says it all 👍

[@myricallen9093]

Love these little treasures from history, so overlooked but they are things I always used to wonder about and love when I was a kid out with my granddad. He used to take me around Portsmouth and such to all sorts of things like this.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Myric, yeah love this stuff

[@myricallen9093]

@@MartinZero Your uploads keep me going through the new week so keep it up!

[@nigelt1218]

Hi Martin I used to live at Castle Irwell Student Village in the early 1980's. I did some research on the area, as the Student Village was on the site of an old racecourse. The land slip in Great Clowes Street was in some old newspaper articles. A tram came off the tracks and down the bank towards the river. I am not sure of the date, or how many people were injured. It would make an interesting topic for you to look into. Something I have not thought about for 40+ years. Thanks for your video, it's the small stuff that sometimes leads to more interesting features.

[@nicklowe536]

It shows you how much history we miss drivingor walking past

[@jonathanmimnagh8956]

I hail from the other end of the M62 but have recently started working in the Oldham Bury & Rochdale areas. It's a driving job and I'm always keeping my eyes open for some of this hidden history which your videos record & demonstrate so well. Urbex for the masses! Carry on please Martin!

[@fourthdrawerdown6297]

The shots of the old railway lines on Redby Street put me in mind of a similar stretch of line in Lockwood, Huddersfield. It’s even smaller, only a few feet long but it’s still there ( deliberately preserved I think) and hundreds of people pass it every day without even noticing. Thought provoking stuff. Thanks,Martin.

[@michelleking5221]

Love seeing these bits of history that remain, I always notice bits like this and always want to know that they used to be, keep em coming Martin 👍🏻

[@jmarsh3347]

Martin, you are as much of a national treasure as the history you show us. Maybe it's trivial stuff to you but this is one of your most enjoyable videos. Thanks so much!!

[@MartinZero]

Thanks very much

[@wendymcfadyen-allerby6142]

This was very interesting and Danny is a very talented artist i I am not surprised he noticed the different things many of us would not notice. Thank you Martin :)

[@Duppy_Art]

Thank you Wendy 😊 😁

[@Zentron]

Yeah, I've visited a couple of these spots in the past, interesting to hear that about the Irk, about time they managed the waterways of Manchester properly! There's still the old tracks and even the bases of some of the signal boxes down Ashburn Road past Bowlers Entertainment Centre, even a set of tracks crossing the road by Toolstation!

[@josephinemitchell9504]

I've been to bowlers several times. To think I was that close to this lot.

[@Zentron]

@@josephinemitchell9504 I've been there a lot too, that's when I noticed the track when I drove in. I don't know when it was stopped being used, but I suspect it might have been into the 90s, or even later, either way, it's fascinating to walk and follow the line there, they've left the cobbles exposed in a few places and from the pot holes along the way, all they've done is dump tarmac over the cobbled road!

[@chromiumphotography5138]

Just waiting for a bronze Ford Cortina to pull up.

[@TheTouristLine]

You would be amazed how many times I have drove my Mrs mad with things like this 😂 nicely done

[@badgerlandcouk]

My fave bit was when you went to the houses overlooking where the old tramway had collapsed - residents will be delighted to see their locality on youtube - then perhaps less delighted to see the water running down to the river. Useful reminder to them to make sure their buildings insurance covers them for subsidence! The idea that the pipe was for a fountain looks like a good one. I'm constantly in awe about you can find such amazing history starting with the smallest little snippet of information. You make local history way more interesting than a normal school history teacher. Great channel.

[@zerofox7347]

It’s just amazing looking at “English Steel” (That name would be considered politically incorrect today) with the Gate house guard outside. Look at the area today…. Where has the pride gone? I live 10min away from there and I’ve got a lump in my throat looking at those photos. Great work Mark 👍

[@patagualianmostly7437]

Zero Fox.... You need to ask..."Where has the pride gone?" Do you really need to ask? Look again at those photos that Martin posted: Hardly a shred of litter.... People scrubbed their doorsteps: Took pride in their meagre assets. Living next door to the very heavy industry.... Great locomotives were made in Openshaw.... used on railways around the world. And all you WOKE WTATS can STFU..... We were all slaves. In Manchester. In many places in the UK.... You have no idea. Slavery continued in the UK long after Britain stopped the slave trade...... But who gets the blame? "Britain". Simply because Britain had the largest Empire. Let us remember: FACT: EVERY European Nation had "colonies"..... and not all were as benign as the British. Who gave education, health, transport to all its colonies. Who put an end to the slave trade? .... And... Who refused to? I rest my case. I am sick & tired of being blamed as some kind of monster...because I am white. (And English!) White privilege? Really? Amazing the world blames "The English".... whilst conveniently forgetting that the people who colonised their countries were actually "British". Yes, English, aided & abetted by Scots, the Welsh & the Irish...... I don't normally go off on a rant such as this...on such a pleasurable site as Martin Zero.... I am here, like the rest of us to appreciate Manchester & other places ...History & views brought vividly up to date by his excellent work..... But your simple question: Where Has The Pride Gone. Just triggered my anger at what the UK has become. Call me "Mr.Angry" if you must. But I can assure you.... I am NOT alone.

[@kay110]

They may only be little snippets, and I live other side of the pennines, but you really make it super interesting. You certainly do your homework while producing these videos, and it really shows in your superb productions.

[@jimcrichton8028]

Its those little bits of detail that brings it all back to life, along with the old pictures and your valuable time. Well done.

[@st04bez]

Nothing trivial here. All absolute gems. The incidental music and old photos send shivers down my spine like the very best M. R. James Christmas ghost story. Quality.

[@mdarts8861]

These fragments of history you have found are fascinating.

[@andrewparnaby5159]

Thanks Martin another fantastic video, has taken me twice as long to watch than the actual running time as I had to keep pausing to look more closely at what you were showing us. I was most fascinated by the first story, I'm not from Manchester but Newcastle upon Tyne, so opened up rail map online to get a better idea of where you were talking about. You really peaked my interest with the photo of the 0-4-0 saddle tank, built by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn Ltd as this would have been made at the Forth Bank works here in Newcastle. The factory in which many years earlier the Stephensons had developed Locomotion No.1, the Rocket, the John Bull and all their other early locomotives before moving the main engine works to Darlington ( where many years later Tornado was built). Incidentally, part of the Newcastle site is now a venue for live music and is called the Boilershop, which I feel privileged to get to work at and think about what it would have been like when George and Robert were there.

[@TheGreatest1974]

Brilliant. Loved the remains of the old Sunday school. Amazing that the base of the wall is still there. 👍

[@anthonydefreitas6006]

Living in London which has been heavily sterilised and redeveloped, these are the things I miss. Like Martin says "enjoy them while they last"

[@theburtons49]

Another great Video especially the English Steel Redby Street piece. The photo of the train was taken on my 13th Birthday . You was unsure of the engineering factory . It couldnt have been Crossley brothers could it.? Or was that further doen the Road before Grey Mare lane.?

[@stevenholden9520]

Crossley's was further along whitworth street, between Clayton Lane and Grey Mare Lane. The wood street line went into The former Sir Joseph Whitworth works. Amongst other things He created the Standard Whitworth thread. He left the bulk of his fortune for the benefit of education in manchester. hence the many roads, parks educational places are named for him. His works on Whitworth street was later occupied by Security Rock Bits who produced drilling bits for oil and gas drilling. Sadly all gone now

[@pbartmess]

I loved the section concerning Angel Meadow playground. It was perfect timing to capture children playing in the same area as the painting. And the tiny section starting at 23:42 featuring the clay illustration. It seems to me you've featured this artist (is it Danny?) before and it really adds a sense of humanity and pathos to your video.

[@adrianlydiate7197]

Unity Brooke was my favourite, I was born in swinton, been over that bridge hundreds of times and never new, fantastic video fellas 👍👍👍

[@TheMostonian]

I remember the trains on wood street when i was a kid in the 60's, i was born a few streets down from there.

[@thebigrighthand7728]

Loved this 1 Martin you really do put the effort in thanx 4 keeping us entertained, legend, and I've never said that to a manc before haha 😄

[@julieclare8599]

We did a tour of Kersal Vale, Great Clewes Street area with Salford Park Rangers a while back and the info you shared about that area and the landslide and posh houses was exactly as they'd described it.

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

Wow one street of old cobbled railroad tracks just still sitting there that is exciting . Martin you never disappoint. Thank you. From Bakersfield California USA.

[@TwoFourCharlie007]

Bloody hell, I lived around the corner from number 1 and never knew!! Thanks

[@stephenhoward6354]

Clowes Street was always known in Broughton as the Landslide or the Llanny. Opposite side of the Irwell where you were stood was Manchester Racecourse.

[@StupidBlokeStupidVideos]

Would have been interesting to take a metal detector along the route of them old tracks up to about 7:50 to see if they were still there hiding under the surface.

[@notwenjohn6852]

Wow the former fire station amazing. Love it. Glad to hear it's being saved in some shape or form.

[@thinktankboulevard]

I sat watching that glued to the screen and I don't even live in Manchester , in fact, I don't live in the UK, but wow Martin you are infectious with your passion and I do hope you and your friend are recognized by your local mayors and officials for all your dedication to the City of Manchester and surrounding areas. Well done and keep up the good work you should be awarded key to the city my friend.

[@davidberlanny3308]

I really enjoyed your discovery at St Michaels flags. You present with such enthusiasm it's hard not to get hooked!! I wonder if you will get up to the Bury Bolton canal to see if Margaret Barlows Tea rooms still stands in the garden centre. I hope so. Good luck from Spain!!

[@pilpelet100]

That was fascinating. Thanks for posting. Just BTW, I think that cobbles are round (making them difficult to walk on) and setts are square or rectangular.

[@andykopgod]

Brilliant, my mum said she used to live in the cottages behind the wagon works, and she used to play where you are looking, called it the Delph. Good memories she said 😄👍

[@nobodyanderson4353]

Love the Smith's music in the background. As Salford as it gets. The images and research were spot on, nicely done.