SUNDAY. At Castlefields, Manchester
The 2008 trip thus far: 305 Locks; 560 Miles; 56 Swing\Lift Bridges. Bus pass journeys 20
I was under orders from Myra, who had looked briefly yesterday; to take a good look at the John Rylands Library in Deansgate. I complied; on entering the original building from the new entrance annexe, I was silent. I was surrounded by neo-gothic architecture of the highest quality, both in stone, (pink Cumbrian sandstone); the vaulted arches, fan tracery and in wood - exquisite, ornate carving and overlaid panels.
The library was constructed between 1890 and 1899 for Enriqueta Rylands, as a monument to the memory of her late husband, an industrialist and cotton magnate. He had amassed a fortune of £2.75million by the time of his death in 1888. The architect was Basil Champneys, who delivered one of the finest purpose built libraries in Britain. (so the leaflet informs us). In my amateur opinion, I concur. I will be paying another visit before we leave Manchester, it is a truly beautiful building.
We also visited the Manchester Art Gallery in Mosely Street. One picture brought back happy family memories for us; it was by Thomas Creswick, a Victorian landscape artist. The subject was the River Tees at its junction with the River Greta, Rokeby, North Yorkshire. The area is known locally as ‘The meeting of the Waters’ and is off the Greta Bridge to Barnard Castle road.
I first went with my Mum and Dad in 1956; Myra, our children and I have been on many occasions, we have lots of photographs in confirmation. I recognised the picture immediately, the high stone bridge across the River Greta still stands, but only just!
As an aside; our children were always cautioned to be careful on the flat rocks, they never did fall in. The first time that Myra and I went after the children had left home – she fell in!
We did a bit of building spotting on our way back to Castlefields, arriving on the boat before the heavy showers. I really cannot remember them being forecast today.
Weather – dry and bright, then heavy Showers.
