Founded in 1836, at its peak, the zoo occupied over 165 acres of land and attracted around two million visitors a year. People traveled from all over the country to wonder at the elephants, monkeys, and camels.
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Privately financed, Belle Vue also boasted some brilliant fairground rides and rollercoasters in its amusement park – which ultimately became an equally tempting attraction as time went on.
And that wasn’t all. People would also come to sing along to their musical idols in The King’s Hall, dance the night away with their first love, marvel at the circus and see Speedway champions racing to glory on the stadium tracks.
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Belle Vue really did have everything, and as a result of this, became known as “Showground of the World”. But who was behind this private northern tourist attraction?
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Belle Vue Zoological Gardens was the brainchild of entrepreneur and part-time gardener John Jennison.
Born in 1793 in Bulwell, Nottingham, he moved to Macclesfield as a child with his family the Jennsions’ before returning to Stockport following his father’s death in 1826.
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Interestingly, Belle Vue wasn’t the Jennisons’ first foray into commercial business ownership. Prior to opening the park, John had developed and opened his own garden to the public – later adding cages of British birds, pheasants and macaws afternoticing visitors displaying interest in the garden’s native birds.
A brewhouse was even added to the plot of land too, whilst the family house was later converted into a pub called the Adam and Eve.
The Jennisons were doing well, but with what they had, there was little room for expansion.
Jennison and Newiss Collections / Chetham’s Library Online ArchivesManchester History / Chetham’s Library Online Archives
John was approached by businessman George Gill and encouraged to lease Belle Vue – then a public house in 35.75 acres of open land between Kirkmanshulme Lane and Hyde Road in Manchester.
The land was isolated and had been used for the digging of lime, but John saw its potential.
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After taking out a six-month trial lease,he soon extended to a 99-year lease and relocated his family from Stockport. They traveled light, with a handcart filled with belongings and a handful of birdcages containing parrots and other birds.
Belle Vue first opened as a ‘pleasure garden’ in 1836, containing lakes, mazes and hothouses, as well its beloved aviary.
Still, the Jennisons decided that their zoological collection had to be expanded as a matter of priority and by 1839, elephants, lions, and other exotic African animals had been added.
Fierce competition came from other attractions like the Vauxhall Gardens in Collyhurst, and the Manchester Zoological Gardens in Higher Broughton, meaning that Belle Vue was not an instant success. Jennsion. however, persevered.
Between the closure of a neighbouring zoo at Higher Broughton and the opening of the Longsight train station, more visitors soon began trickling in.
Before long John, inspired by a visit to the Great Exhibition in 1851, began to rapidly expand – and plenty of other popular attractions were subsequently added, including a racecourse in 1847.
By the late 1860s, Belle Vue was a hugely profitable business and had become iconic draw – across not just the northwest, but the whole of the UK.
But John was forced to take a back seat to his sons when it came to the day-to-day running of the attraction after he was diagnosed with cancer that began to quickly spread.
Ultimately, he passed away as a result of his illness in 1869 – leaving his family to sell Belle Vue for £250,00 (equivalent to £14.4 million in today’s money) to Harry George Skipp and Belle Vue (Manchester) Ltd in 1925.
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In 1956, the park was sold again – this time to Leslie Joseph and Charles Forte – with Forte gaining sole control in 1956.
Drawing its final breath in September 1977, the zoo’s owners decided they could no longer afford its upkeep, having suffered a loss of £100,000 that year. Still, somehow it remained open on summer weekends until 1980 – officially closing for the very last time in 1982.
As quoted in Stackhouse & Hyams’ book – Belle Vue: Manchester’s Playground – published in 2005: “When it closed, Belle Vue left a gaping hole in the heart of the region that has never been completely replaced. It gave people a focal point, something to be proud of, a place where they could take their families and be sure of a great day out at a reasonable cost.”
But for all Mancunians with a special place in their hearts for the attraction, the legacy of Bell Vue still lives on.
Feature
Lantern Pike – the countryside walk with amazing views, an old railway line, and a great pub at the end
Daisy Jackson
If you’re looking for a country walk that’s got a bit of everything – we’re talking views, lakes, history, picturesque villages and, crucially, pints – this is the one.
Step across the Greater Manchester border into High Peak, and you can take on a circular walk that’s got it all.
The walk takes in all the best bits of the English countryside, from rolling hills to proper pubs.
Park in the village of Hayfield, with an optional stop at Marmalade Coffee Shop for a bacon sandwich and some caffeine.
Then head out west to join the Sett Valley Trail, which joins Hayfield and New Mills.
The trail itself is 2.5 miles and follows a former railway line – but now it’s a tree-lined trail that’s perfect for a gentle stroll, cycle or even horse ride.
Lantern Pike in the Peak District. Credit: The Manc GroupLantern Pike in the Peak District. Credit: The Manc Group
You’ll pass the Birch Vale reservoir, but won’t be following the trail all the way to New Mills.
Instead, turn off to the right to cross the River Sett and walk towards Sitch Lane.
The road will take you to the very edge of the Peak District ready for an uphill climb to the peak of Lantern Pike.
It’s not a giant by Peak District standards (373m compared to Kinder Scout’s 636m) but the views are 360 degrees – fields on all sides and the incredible Manchester skyline in the distance.
Walk straight over the summit and back down the other side, passing the Lantern Pike pub (we won’t judge if you pause for a pint here), cross the road, and join Snake Path.
This will take you past Twenty Trees, which is literally a group of trees standing on its own, and back into Hayfield.
Here you’ll find The Pack Horse, a country pub that’s gained some serious accolades in the last year.
Despite a top-notch menu, the pub is more than happy to welcome in customers (and dogs) who are covered in mud – as all good countryside boozers should.
You can see a map of the circular walking route at alltrails.com.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Feature
Hairspray lands at the Palace Theatre, proving to audience members that you really can’t stop the beat
Oli Lowe
Energetic ensemble numbers, lavish costumes and stand-out performances: Hairspray welcomes everyone to the 60s in its latest tour production.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll hold very fond memories of the 2007 movie-musical version of Hairspray, a cinematic masterpiece that breathed new life into the already iconic musical. I bring this version of the show up because until last night it was my only experience of the story.
Yes, much to my shame, I had never seen a live production of the show but after coming out of the Palace Theatre last night, I can now say that Hairspray‘s latest tour production is just as fun-loving – and as free wheeling.
From start to finish, Hairspray is a vibrant, colourful, high-energy show which takes you on the journey of teenage misfit Tracey Turnblad as she deals with the struggles of pursuing her dreams, in the face of adversity and a 1960s America that seems determined to halt progression.
The entire cast gave stellar performances from leading lady Alexander Emmerson-Kirby in the role of Tracy, all the way through to the ensemble who constantly wooed me with brilliantly executed dance routines, filled to the brim with swinging-sixties dance moves.
I’d like to take a second to highlight some standout performances, which in my opinion elevated the show to new heights. Starting with Neil Hurst in the role of Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s ‘larger-than-life’ mum.
Neil was a constant comic relief throughout a show that whilst generally lighthearted does tackle some serious issues such as unrealistic female beauty standards and racial segregation.
Neil, alongside his comedic partner Dermot Canavan, gave a standout, belly-laugh performance of their duet ‘You’re Timeless To Me’. It truly had the audience in fits of laughter and lauded huge applause from the entire theatre.
On to Gina Murray as Velma Von Tussle and Michelle Ndegwa as ‘Motormouth’ Maybelle. Both gave superb renditions of their solo numbers and showcased their experience in every scene they were in.
Murray’s rendition of Miss Baltimore Crabs (still always caught off-guard by that name) was impressive, to say the least, with the performer delivering big and bold vocals, all whilst being held upside down by a group of the male cast.
Meanwhile, Michelle Ndegwa’s version of ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’ was spellbindingly beautiful. It carried with it the weight and severity of the number, all whilst delivering knock-out vocals that were filled to the brim with pain and suffering.
Hairspray Production Photos taken on 16th July 2024 in ManchesterStunning vocals all around.
Finally, a small shoutout to Reece Richards as Seaweed. Growing up (and occasionally to this day) I tried many times to stumble my way through Seaweed’s big number, ‘Run And Tell That’, and let me tell you from experience, that’s one damn hard song to sing…
Reece delivered the number expertly, all whilst dancing in a routine that even just watching, made me feel slightly exhausted. Props to Reece… One day I will nail that opening high note (I won’t).
All in all, Hairspray delights, delivering laughter, splendor, and high fuelled entertainment from start to finish – we’d consider a must-see if you’re a fan of the film, especially.
The show runs through till 27th July and with limited tickets still available, there’s no reason to not get yourself down and enjoy an evening of mesmerising, musical fun. You can grab yours HERE.
Hairspray Production Photos taken on 16 July 2024 at the Palace Theatre in ManchesterSeriously, give it a go.