As Salford celebrates its landmark 100th year of city status, local residents gathered this weekend to uncover the hidden chapters of their home town’s past.
The annual Salford Histories Festival returned with a vibrant line-up of local history displays, Victorian funeral exhibits, and rare tours of the St Thomas’s Church crypt. For the team behind the event, the goal was simple: to connect todays community with the foundations built by previous generations. Theresa Emberton, one of the organisers along with her husband Barry, said: “Salford has its own really rich heritage, so it’s important to share that with the people who live here today,”
Salford Histories Festival took place on Saturday 3rd of October at the historic St Thomas’ Church on Ford lane in Pendleton. Theresa said: “It’s important to remember Salford’s history, because it is overshadowed by Manchester.” The event displayed local history and heritage exhibitions, guest speakers, bell ringing, organ recital and also offered a crypt tour. The timing of this years event has been even more significant, falling directly in the middle of Salford’s centenary celebrations, marking 100 years since it was granted city status in 1926.
It’s the second year running the festival has been hosted at St Thomas’ Church, as it was previously located at the History Museum and Gallery. Paul Sherlock, local historian said: “It seems to be a pretty good spot, it is nice and central in Salford and we get a lot of stalls here.” The festival is all in aid of locals wanting to keep Salford’s history alive for further generations to come, and is a free event every year. Before the History festival came about, there was only one day dedicated learning in the heritage month in September, but was shortly discontinued to financial reasons.
The church atmosphere was alive with discovery where you could find stalls dedicated to sharing local history with immersive displays. Paul said: “We get people from all different local history groups, even including the more remote parts of Salford, as it’s easy to just think of Salford as just around this area, but it is a bigger area.” He highlighted that there is so much to bring forward to these events and learn “people love reminiscing and going back” especially for the older generation, who have lived through these historical events.
“It’s so important to engage with the younger generation, because history carries on and what we do here today will be history in the future,” Paul calls for the need to keep the youth educated in not just world history but local, as the baton will be passed on to them to carry on the legacy.
Celebrating Immigration and Industry
What many do not realise is that Salford’s history is tied deep with industrial labour and migration, which is often forgotten. Theresa said: “There was not enough local population to fuel that industry, and that was based on immigration as people came from across the world to work here,” which highlights the depth of diversity in Salford’s history, as Paul went on to say “we can look at that and look at the way or what caused this development.” For Salford, places like canals, railways and the cotton trade all have an impact in its deep history and should be taught that, as Theresa went on to say “it is important to remember the role that immigrants have played in Salford’s success.” So, the new and next generations don’t forget these roots, but also to not make the same mistakes, in future history.
The Salford Histories Festival is not just set up for the educational benefits or as a fun event for the community, but it’s a way for locals to come together to feel proud of where they live. Theresa highlights that, “if you feel proud of living where you do, you should know something about the place as it has such a rich history,” as she calls for more people whether local or new to come to these events as it gives them a platform in the local area.
However, one activity really stood out amongst the event, which required stepping out of the daylight and descending into the dark and shadows. The festival held a ‘crypt for a quid’ tour, which gave locals rare access to the vast underground crypt, hidden directly beneath St Thomas’s floorboards. This dates back to 1832, with the brick corridors containing nearly two centuries of Salford history, which holds the final resting place places of the industrialists and working families who formed the backbone of the region, during the industrial revolution.
As Salford continues to evolve as a modern hub of media, culture and digital innovation, the festival served as a grounded reminder of the city’s gritty and proud roots. It highlighted that the identity of the community remains firmly tied to to the graft and guile of past generations.
The success of the weekend proved that the hunger for local history is stronger than ever, leaving the community with a deeper appreciation for the streets they walk every day.