Discovering the meaning behind Manchester's famed symbol

West Australian

4 days ago

I'm in Manchester and I'm surrounded by bees.
They're on benches, bollards, buildings and bins.
Look up to see them on lampposts. Look down to see them on the footpath.
As I step out of Manchester Cathedral, an impressive sculptural rendition catches my eye. Across the road, there's a mural of them as well — just before a tram glides past, also bearing their image.
The humble insect has been a symbol of the vibrant north-western English city since it was added to the Manchester coat of arms in 1842.
The small details of a destination can offer a glimpse into the true fabric of a society. Hidden in plain sight, they quietly shape the character of a place.
This rings true in the metropolitan city home to nearly three million people.
Manchester embraces the worker bee as a proud emblem of its industrial identity.
Unlike other British cities that made their wealth through royalty or natural resources, Manchester owes its rise to the hardworking nature of its citizens during the industrial revolution.
Even part of Greater Manchester's transport system takes its name from the insect. Next time you visit, keep an eye out for the Bee Network — marked by its distinctive yellow and black buses, trams, cycling routes and walking paths.
It may no longer be Cottonopolis, but you don't have to spend long in Manchester to see it's still a thriving hive of activity.
The streets buzz with the rhythm of daily life. Footsteps echoing between red-brick buildings, the chatter of students spilling out of cafes and cyclists weaving through traffic.
When wandering through the Central Library in St Peter's Square, I couldn't help but notice how its top floor, named the Great Hall, resembles a beehive in library form, with people busily working away at their desks.
Worker bees are solely insignificant but collectively formidable — a fitting symbol for the thousands of factory workers who were cogs in the wheel of the world's first industrial city.
For those curious to learn more about various aspects of Manchester's industrial history, here are four places you can visit.
The National Trust property is one of Britain's greatest industrial heritage sites.
Located in Styl, near Manchester Airport, the beautifully preserved cotton mill was one of the first water-propelled spinning mills to be built during the early years of the Industrial Revolution, in 1784.
Owned by the Greg family and home to hundreds of mill workers and child apprentices, Quarry Bank quickly became one of the largest cotton manufacturing businesses in the world.
You can explore inside the mill and watch its machinery in action. It's rather noisy in there but a fascinating experience nonetheless. The Quarry Bank House, once home to owners Hannah and Samuel Greg, is also worth a visit.
There's also the Styl village, the Apprentice House (where child workers lived), the gardens and woodland estate to explore.
Opening times vary between attractions.
nationaltrust.org.uk
The Oxford Road museum is part of the University of Manchester, and it has a dedicated textiles gallery connecting art and early industrial links. It's home to 20,000 textiles from around the globe, ranging from the third century AD to the present.
Textiles play a massive part in Manchester's industrial history given its status as the international centre of the cotton and textile trade in the 19th century. The city was nicknamed 'Cottonopolis' for its more than 100 cotton mills producing an astounding amount of cloth. Between 1800 and 1860, Britain's cotton exports reportedly rose from £5.4 million ($11.2m) to £46.8 million ($97m) as the country produced almost half the world's total output of cotton.
Whitworth is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm, and on Thursdays until 9pm.
Whitworthcollections.manchester.ac.uk
For those interested in Manchester's contribution to the development of science, technology and industry, visiting the Science and Industry Museum is a must. It showcases just how pivotal the city was in the wider Industrial Revolution.
Its Textiles Gallery has an array of historic machinery used in cotton mills in England's north-west. The museum often hosts demonstrations to tell the story of how cotton was transformed from its raw form into finished cloth.
Though they came after the Industrial Revolution, two interesting objects in the museum's Manchester Revolution exhibition are worth checking out.
The first is a small-scale experimental machine affectionately known as the 'Manchester Baby'. Built in 1948 at the University of Manchester, it was the first computer to store and run a program from memory — the basis for billions of computers today.
The second is a Rolls-Royce made in 1905 which was one of the first Rolls-Royce motorcars ever built. The now internationally renowned company originated in Manchester.
Open daily from 10am to 5pm.
scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk
Last but not least is the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester. In a historic 1901 tram shed and 1930s bus garage, the museum showcases a fascinating insight into how public transport evolved alongside industrial growth, with more than 70 vintage vehicles to see, from horse-drawn carriages to early buses and trams. There's also a tearoom and gift shop on-site.
Open Wednesdays and weekends, 10am to 4.30pm.
motgm.uk