june, 2023
Event Details
Belle Vue & Gorton Family Fun Day at the Monastery
Whether you love reminiscing or finding out about the fascinating history of Belle Vue & Gorton for the first time, we invite you to come and enjoy a wonderful day packed with family fun right here at our modern-day Monastery!
Manchester History & Heritage
Home to a zoological garden, circus, fair, speedway, dancing, boxing, wrestling, fireworks, music, and dancing for over 150 years, Belle Vue was the Showground of the World. Over the course of the day, you will discover just how monumental Belle Vue Zoo was in its heyday in this fascinating stroll through Manchester’s history & heritage.
When?
From 10am – 4pm on Sunday 25th June, 2023, The Monastery will open its doors with a range of Belle Vue & Gorton related exhibitions, stalls and displays, plus fun activities for all the family.
What’s On?
All-day events
10:00 – 16:00
👉 The Museum Of Transport Buses and Stall (outdoors)
👉 Glitter Art (in the Great Nave)
👉 Free Activity Sheets (at the main entrance)
👉 Face Painting by Kinga Truszkowska (in the Great Nave)
👉 Exhibition of archive posters, programmes, memorabilia and photos (in the Great Nave)
👉 Gerald Isles Archive photo books with Janet Wallwork (in the Great Nave)
👉 Frank Rhodes photographic archive collection and memories table (in the Great Nave)
👉 Archive film footage (in the Great Nave)
👉 Belle Vue Clowns painting display painted by Pam Armstrong, Artist (in the Great Nave)
👉 Garrick Books archive book stall (in the Great Nave)
👉 Display of Belle Vue Aces Speedway race jackets / leathers (in the Great Nave)
Scheduled events
10:00 – 16:00
👉 10:30 – 11:15 – The Halle & Belle Vue Short Talk + Music & School Workshop (Session 1) with Eleanor Roberts in the learning space.
👉 11:15 – 11:45 – Accord Choir performance in the Great Nave
👉 11:30 – 12:00 – Belle Vue: The Gardens That John Built with Karen Gabay in the learning space.
👉 12:15 – 13:15 – The Great Apes of Belle Vue with Rev. David Gray in the learning space.
👉 12:00 – 13:00 – Hour Of Silence: Silent Meditation in the old refectory.
👉 12:00 – 12:30 – Gorton Voice Choir performance in the Great Nave.
👉 12:45 – 13:15 – Glasshouse Choir performance in the Great Nave.
👉 13:30 – 14:15 – The Halle & Belle Vue Short Talk + Music & School Workshop (Session 2) with Eleanor Roberts in the learning space.
👉 13:15 – 13:45 – Dr Butler’s Hatstand Medicine Band performance in the Great Nave.
👉 14:15 – 14:45 – Dr Butler’s Hatstand Medicine Band performance in the healing garden & welcome café.
👉 14:30 – 15:00 – Writing Belle Vue’s History with Robert Nicholls in the learning space.
👉 15:00 – 16:00 – Norman Barratt (Belle Vue Ringmaster – 1970s and early 1980s) in the Great Nave.
👉 16:00 – Event Ends
Outdoors
Throughout the day
👉 The Museum Of Transport
Buses – Volunteers from The Museum of Transport will be here at The Monastery, bringing two former Manchester Corporation Transport traditional red double-decker buses with them, which worked on the 53 route to Belle Vue. These will be open for visitors to board and explore.
Stall – Museum information, transport-related memorabilia such as ticket machines for visitors to handle, archive photographs, and Museum/Transport souvenirs to purchase
👉 Children’s Funfair in the main entrance
And…
As well as ALL that, our Welcome Café will be open from 10am – 4pm, with snacks and refreshments throughout the day.
Admission and parking are free of charge and there’s no need to book. Just come on down and bring the family. We hope you’ll join us!
Please note, the Monastery is a charity and a suggested donation of £5 would be gratefully accepted.
Directions to the Monastery here.