Lost Gardens of Fallowfield

Our trip this week was to the “Lost Gardens of Fallowfield”.

In The University of Manchester’s bicentenary year, the Firs Botanical Grounds is opening its doors – inviting the community to visit the hidden oasis, located in Fallowfield, home to an historic living plant collection, including greenhouses and outdoor spaces.

The Firs traces its history at The University of Manchester back to 1887, when the house and grounds were bequeathed by Sir Joseph Whitworth. With over 100 years of active research, it is the longest continuously running research facility at the University. The site is home to the Firs Environmental Research Station and the University’s Living Plant Collection.

From ten–feet-tall cacti to genetically modified rice, the Firs greenhouses are home to plants from nearly every continent. This enables leading research right from the centre of Manchester.

Their mission includes engaging the community about biodiversity, food security and the environment.

Lots of photos can be seen here.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

On 7 May 1964, a gaggle of excited passengers alighted on to a rainy disused railway station platform in south Manchester (now Chorlton tram stop) and took their seats for a massively culturally significant gig.

Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards and Brian Jones came from London in a minibus just to watch the concert.

The bill featured big names in blues, including Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee

As part of the American Folk Blues Tour, Sister Rosetta Tharpe arrived in a horse-drawn carriage, in a huge white coat, in the rain, and proceeded to rock the crowd with “Didn’t It Rain.” The audience on the other side of the train tracks were transfixed and the excitement of her music was again spread worldwide.

She began her recording career in 1939 in New York City, and in her early 20s, she was the “girl singer” in the Lucky Millinder band, breaking away from her beloved gospel to sing secular hits like “I Want a Tall Skinny Papa,” “Rock Me,” and “Four or Five Times.”

She also recorded many of her early gospel gems solo, playing a National Triolian 14 Fret. She would soon revolutionise the electric guitar, pioneering the use of distortion and featuring uplifting guitar solos in most all of her songs.

In this photo she is playing a Gibson SG, she also played a Les Paul, big archtops and more. She had a unique and wonderful guitar style to accompany her singing. One of the most loved and ebullient artists of all time!

Marie Knight

In 1946, Tharpe met singer Marie Knight, and after they recorded “Up Above My Head,” the two women teamed up and went on tour. The women worked together until 1950.

Rumours circulated for years that the women had a romantic relationship. Tharpe also had been married previously twice to men. She married a third time in 1951. But she might have been bisexual or lesbian.

In 2007, Gayle Wald wrote a biography about the trailblazing musician, “Shout, Sister, Shout!” Tharpe died in 1973 and didn’t leave any archives or written record about her life.

When Wald asked Knight about the rumours of an intimate relationship with Tharpe, Knight told her they were untrue.

Sexuality and identity

Wald also interviewed other sources who spoke about Tharpe’s attractions to men and women, but none of them would go on the record.

“Do I think Sister Rosetta Tharpe had attractions to and sexual relations with women? Yes,” Wald said. “But I don’t know if she used any words to identify herself.”

Wald said she wasn’t surprised that people didn’t go on the record about Tharpe’s sexuality. “In the gospel world, it was understood that people protected each other’s privacy. You didn’t want to ruin anyone’s career or life,” Wald said. “That way, people lived their lives as openly as they could.” “Sister Rosetta Tharpe lived with a certain amount of openness,” Wald said. “It was typical for people to be out, but there was no attempt to be public or for their private life to be a part of their public identity.”

Intergenerational Meetings with the Proud Trust

The Proud Trust have invited Out In The City members to these events:

Tea Lock-In with Bird & Blend – £11.55

Friday, 23 August – 6.30pm – 8.00pm

Bird & Blend Tea Co, 57 Church Street, Manchester M4 1PD

An extra special evening of tea tasting at Bird & Blend in partnership with The Proud Trust, includes tea mocktail on arrival, tea tasting note card and 9 teas to sample.

Book here.

Gardening Drop In Session – FREE

Tuesday, 27 August – 3.00pm – 5.00pm

The Proud Place, 49-51 Sidney Street, Manchester M1 7HB

The Proud Place and National Trust Castlefield will be holding drop in sessions on the roof terrace. Learn some new skills, get your hands dirty and make some new friends! All tools and equipment will be provided – but please wear clothes which you don’t mind getting muddy. Free hot and cold drinks.

Book here.

Pride Crafternoon – FREE

Saturday, 31 August – 12.00 noon – 2.00pm

The Proud Place, 49-51 Sidney Street, Manchester M1 7HB

Do you love arts and crafts? We are inviting crafters of all experience levels to come join us. We’ll have a variety of art materials to hand as well as quiet space to craft in, so whether you want to try something new, meet fellow crafters or bring along your own project, then come along!

Book here.