Famous Didsbury eco-pioneer and RSPB founder Emily Williamson to be honoured with new statue
A new festival dedicated to Emily Williamson at Manchester Art Gallery will examine her eco-campaigning legacy and give people the chance to vote for the final statue design
Known as the woman who saved a million birds, the famous Victorian Didsburyite Emily Williamson is widely considered to be one of the outstanding eco-pioneers of her day.
Now, she is set to be honoured with a new festival at Manchester Art Gallery – culminating in the announcement of the winning design of a statue for Emily.
Emily founded what would become the RSPB from her home in Didsbury’s Fletcher Moss Park in 1889 by inviting her friends to tea and asking them to sign a pledge to ‘Wear No Feathers’.
Statue design by Eve Shepherd / Image: Emily Williamson statue campaign
That one pledge ricocheted through the next century, spawning campaigns and movements that changed the face of UK conservation.
A statue of Emily in the grounds of her former home is one of the ways of giving her the recognition that she deserves and it’s hoped that her legacy will be used to inspire a new generation of nature activists.
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As COP26 looms and promises are made regarding action on climate change, the activist and RSPB founder’s campaigning legacy will be celebrated with a dedicated festival.
The event, which runs from. 12 to 14 November, will also showcase local stories of resistance, resilience and hope in the world of conservation today.
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The festival will welcome some of Manchester’s most dynamic change-makers, exploring the links between conservation, campaigning, science, and art at a pivotal moment for humanity.
Of the 24 speakers scheduled to appear, 23 will be women – shining a spotlight on some key female players in the conservation world.
Speakers confirmed so far include RSPB CEO Beccy Speight; the British Ornithologists’ Union President Juliet Vickery; campaigner and Springwatch presenter Megan McCubbin; and Emily Williamson’s descendent, bird scientist Professor Melissa Bateson.
The living link between Emily’s history and her eco-campaigning legacy will also be examined in a range of panel debates that will look at Victorian Manchester’s greenness and the city’s changing relationship with the natural world today; campaigning tactics across the centuries; the fashion industry vs environmentalists; and the link between nature and mental health.
The festival will culminate in the announcement of the winning design of a statue for Emily, which members of the public have been voting for in their thousands.
The maquettes (miniature statues) of the four shortlisted designs will be on display at Manchester Art Gallery from Saturday 30 October until Sunday 14 Novemberand with voting open until 12 pm on Sunday 14 November.
Statue design by Billie Bond / Image: Emily Williamson statue campaign
Festival founder, social historian and author Tessa Boase, who uncovered Emily’s story and photograph while researching her book on the RSPB’s origins, says:
“Emily Williamson understood the value, magnificence and significance of nature, especially birds. She stood firm and fought against the powerful worldwide ‘murderous millinery’ trade – and she won. This festival celebrates her achievement and remarkable legacy, showcasing some exceptional women fighting for nature here in Manchester today.”
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Emily Williamson founded the (R)SPB, now the UK’s largest conservation charity, in 1889. In 1891 she teamed up with two other eco pioneers to take it to the next level: Etta Lemon and Eliza Phillips of Croydon.
None of these women has been remembered by history.
As Tessa Boase explains:
“The first thing that struck me when I visited RSPB headquarters at The Lodge, Sandy, was the male portraits looming down all round the entrance hall.
“Where were the female founders? After unearthing their photographs, I commissioned these drawings from nature-lover and artist Clare Abbatt in the hope that, one day, they might hang in The Lodge and redress the gender balance.”
Emily’s story shows us that one voice can make a difference. With 15% of birds in Britain now facing extinction, her legacy is more crucial than ever.
The large drawings of Emily, Etta and Eliza will feature alongside the shortlisted designs of a statue for Emily Williamson. This will be the first time that the portraits have gone on public display.
Manchester Art Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. For further information on the Emily Williamson Festival and the Emily Williamson Statue Campaign visit the dedicated website here
Feature image – David Dixon via Commons Wikimedia / Wikipedia
News
Almost Famous announce they are closing their Withington restaurant in candid statement
Danny Jones
The unfortunate hospitality news just keeps coming, it seems, as Almost Famous have announced they will soon be closing their Withington restaurant.
A staple of the Manchester foodie scene for over a decade now and with a growing empire across the North, the ‘dirty burger’ pioneers aren’t just one of the most recognisable restaurant names in Greater Manchester, they’re tastemakers and have been for years.
However, unlike the OG site in the Northern Quarter which first began blowing burger fans away back in 2012, their Great Northern Warehouse venue or their locations in Leeds, Almost Famous‘ Withington site simply isn’t working.
In truth, their most recent restaurant and fifth all-told had been struggling for a while and it was only back in May that they were thanking customers for helping them ‘pull through’ a rough patch, but it seems they’ve sadly slumped back into being quiet and can no longer continue in this fashion.
Explaining in the lengthy and clearly emotional statement, beloved owner Beau Myers wrote: “Announcement (sad sh***y one, sorry).
Sorry to say we will be closing the Withington branch of Almost Famous. It’s not working, we’re not busy enough and it’s dragging us down.
“Really sorry to disappoint you guys, we’ve tried and we’ve pushed and you’ve been amazing for supporting us, this just isn’t the one. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up, admit you f****d up, learn from your mistakes limit the damage and move on.
“We got sucked in with perhaps the most beautiful site ever in the wrong location (for us). It really is/was my fav[ourite] famous and I’m gutted it’s closing, it looks the coolest, we had the staff party there this year. I wish some of the art wasn’t straight on the wall so we could take it with us.”
Almost Famous Withington will be closing after their final dinner service next weekend. (Credit: The Manc Group)
They go on to add: “We will be closing after service on Sunday 22nd (next weekend). Please come down and say goodbye and enjoy this beautiful place one last time before it goes forever. There will be drinks and tears and laughs.
Having visited the particular branch a few times ourselves not only in a work capacity but in our own personal time, we can confirm the Withington restaurant had a special charm to it and we’re also very sad to see it go.
It goes without saying that the comments were filled with support, with one person writing, “This is so sad I’m so sorry: you’ve tried really hard. Sad loss for Withington”, and another adding, “Always sad when a place with friendly staff, serving good food, good drinks and at a reasonable price doesn’t make it… onwards and upwards.”
RIP Almost Famous Withy — we hope you come back one day soon and we’re sure the whole team will bounce back stronger than ever no matter what comes next for the much-loved brand.
The hearing over Manchester City’s 115 FFP charges will officially start next week
Danny Jones
After more than a year of speculation as to when proceedings will finally start, it has been confirmed that the hearing regarding Manchester City and their 115 FFP charges is set to begin next week.
Man City were first slapped with the laundry list of alleged breaches of FFP (financial fair play) and failure to comply with Premier League rules on profit and sustainability (PSR) back in February 2023, but little movement on the case has been reported since then.
In that time, they also won the coveted Treble and their record-breaking fourth league title in a row; meanwhile, the club have continued to deny all claims of rule-breaking.
However, it has now been revealed that City‘s hearing will now kick off on Monday, 16 September.
BREAKING: The hearing over Manchester City's 115 charges will start on Monday 🚨 pic.twitter.com/9ujOCryVMF
As explained in various reports, given the extended nature of the claims made against the Manchester side, it is estimated that the case could run on for up to two months if not longer.
Furthermore, it is thought a decision isn’t expected to arrive until spring 2025 – again, this is simply due to the number of charges brought up over the best part of a decade.
In case you need a refresher, the allegations levelled at Man City date back to 2009 and concern a supposed nine years of financial irregularities, as well as subverting UEFA FFP rules.
Some of the accusations made against them also include failing to cooperate with the European football body and the Premier League, as well as offering ‘secret contracts’ so as to pay one particular manager a larger sum than what they recorded in their financial statements.
The final verdict, whenever it is reached, will be handed down by an independent commission and City will still be able to make an official appeal.
It goes without saying that were they to be found guilty, it would be the biggest financial scandal in English football history and could be seismic for the future of money in the sport and regulations surrounding ownership, which have already grown tighter following the charges being issued.
And in case you needed a more detailed refresher on what exactly they are being tried for and what the possibilities are regarding punishment if found guilty, here’s a quick rundown:
Georgina Pellant -
21st October 2021 
