Now, when you spend your working day in the
past, somethings pass you by.
 |
| Looking out from Manchester Central, 2017 |
Which is pretty much why I was surprised
that GMex had changed its name to Manchester Central, and more so when I went
on to discover that the change of name happened in 2007.
That said while I struggle to remember the
new name, alternating between Manchester Central and Central Manchester, I do
understand the logic, because for 89 years the site was home to Central Railway
Station.
And while a lot of work went
into transforming it into an exhibition centre it is still recognisable as a
railway station, which English Heritage describes as, “Railway station, now
exhibition hall and car park.
 |
| Beer, cider and good conversation, 2017 |
1876-9, by Sir John Fowler, for Midland
Railway Company; altered. Iron and glass on brick undercroft, with brick side
walls. Rectangular plan.
Single segmental-vaulted vessel of 15 bays with
210-foot span, built on extensive undercrofts; pilastered 2-storey south side
with 3 windows on each floor of each bay, those at ground floor round-headed
and those above square-headed; segmental arched roof with ridged bands of
glazing.
C20 glazed canopy to entrance at north end. Vaulted undercroft with
intersecting tunnel vaults. Intended entrance block at north end never built”.
*
I could say more but I think English Heritage
has nailed it.
 |
| Central Railway Station, 1979 |
As a railway station it closed in 1969 and
reopened as GMex in 1986 and has been hosting events ever since.
And that brings me to the Beer and Cider
Festival organised by CAMERA, which is currently in play at the posh front end
of the hall.**
I say the posh end, because from where Peter
and I have a stand, we command an excellent view of the great station clock,
glass window and a mix of old and contemporary buildings.
 |
| Manchester Pubs, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, 2017 |
Not that this is an outrageous piece of self-promotion,
just the usual self-promotion.
What was nice, were the people who came up to us having bought the book at the last festival in 2017 and commented on how much they had enjoyed the central Manchester edition and were pleased that we had now added one on the pubs and bars of Chorlton-cum-Hardy.
And we will be back today, meeting old
friends and making new ones until the festival’s close on Saturday evening.
The conversation will drift over the
relative merits of the beer and cider, the two pub books and for me memories of
the building after the railway trains had departed, and the building became just
another car park.
 |
| Manchester Pubs, special edition, 2017 |
Manchester Pubs is available from
www.pubbooks.co.uk
Location; Manchester
Pictures, inside GMex at the Beer and Cider
Festival, 2019, and the railway station in 1979 from the collection of Andrew
Simpson
** The Festival began on Wednesday night and
finishes on Saturday.
*** Manchester Pubs is available from www.pubbooks.co.uk and Chorlton Bookshop or
from us at the festival
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