Given the current Covid-19 situation, listed events may be subject to change. Please double-check arrangements before leaving home. At time of writing, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is due to re-open in August.
Please stay safe, dear members, and we hope to see you at our events and meetings again before too long.
August 2020
Mrs Gaskell’s Personal Pantheon
You're invited to the Gaskell Society's second online talk, to be delivered by Bob Gamble. Mrs. Gaskell's Personal Pantheon: Illuminating Mrs. Gaskell's Inner Circle is the title of a new book by Society member, Bob Gamble, in which he presents previously undiscovered biographical information about Elizabeth Gaskell. Bob's original research casts fresh light on Elizabeth's inner circle, uncovering some of the mysteries of her key relationships - most notably the puzzle surrounding 'Miss Mitchell'. Elizabeth Gaskell cited 'Miss Mitchell' as…
Find out more »Cranford for Beginners
Have you ever wanted to read Cranford or wondered why it’s one of Elizabeth Gaskell’s most popular novels? Join the Gaskell Society's Chair, Libby Tempest, for an introduction to this well-loved classic of Victorian literature. And, of course, stay to explore the new Cranford exhibition at the House: discover more about the book, its inspiration and its legacy. Lunch-time talks and readings are included in usual House entry No booking required, but please make sure you arrive in good time…
Find out more »September 2020
September Second-hand Book Sale
On the second Sunday of each month, Elizabeth Gaskell's House hosts a fantastic second-hand book sale, downstairs in the Servants Hall. All proceeds go towards supporting operations and events in the House. The tearoom always has a fine selection of new and second-hand books for sale, but this is the big one! It's a chance to browse a much wider selection – two rooms filled with second-hand books, donated by book-lovers! The selection includes a variety of fiction, art, gardening,…
Find out more »William Gaskell and Crimea
Elizabeth Gaskell's House celebrates International Day of Peace with this timely talk on William Gaskell’s sermon about peace, following the Crimean War. Manchester University’s Dr Ingrid Hanson will discuss Reverned Gaskell’s sermon and its echoes in Elizabeth Gaskell’s own fiction. Lunch-time talks and readings are included in usual House entry No booking required, but please make sure you arrive in good time to get a seat.
Find out more »The Gaskell Society AGM 2020
We were forced to postpone our Annual General Meeting, originally scheduled for 18 April. We've decided to go ahead with this date and run our meeting online, rather than wait to see what government advice will be. The situation changes so quickly and we want everyone to stay safe and well. We'll be running talks and lectures over Zoom in the coming weeks (unless things change radically and we can meet again in person), so this AGM will be business-only - no talks or lunch, alas - and open only to…
Find out more »Blame the Mother?
It’s Elizabeth Gaskell’s birthday on September 29, and we’re celebrating with a talk in her honour! Join us for this fascinating discussion on nature versus nurture in Elizabeth Gaskell’s writing, with the Gaskell Society’s Elizabeth Williams. Lunch-time talks and readings are included in usual House entry No booking required, but please make sure you arrive in good time to get a seat.
Find out more »October 2020
Manchester Meeting – October 2020
We're planning our programme of speakers for the next season, so watch this space - and in the meantime, please save the date and we hope to see you there. Our monthly meetings in Manchester are held on the first Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December).Talks begin at 1:30pm, but doors open at 1.00pm, so please feel free to bring a packed lunch and eat with us. The chapel provides tea and coffee for a small donation…
Find out more »October Second-hand Book Sale
On the second Sunday of each month, Elizabeth Gaskell's House hosts a fantastic second-hand book sale, downstairs in the Servants Hall. All proceeds go towards supporting operations and events in the House. The tearoom always has a fine selection of new and second-hand books for sale, but this is the big one! It's a chance to browse a much wider selection – two rooms filled with second-hand books, donated by book-lovers! The selection includes a variety of fiction, art, gardening,…
Find out more »Knutsford Meeting – October 2020
We're currently organising our programme of speakers for the new season, but please keep this date and we'll see you soon, all being well. Our monthly meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month, between October and April (except December). An excellent buffet lunch is served at 12.30pm followed by a talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, 2-3pm. There will also be a chance to visit the Gaskell Exhibition Room, upstairs in the Chapel Hall building. …
Find out more »November 2020
Manchester Meeting – November 2020
We're planning our programme of speakers for the next season, so watch this space - and in the meantime, please save the date and we hope to see you there. Our monthly meetings in Manchester are held on the first Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December).Talks begin at 1:30pm, but doors open at 1.00pm, so please feel free to bring a packed lunch and eat with us. The chapel provides tea and coffee for a small donation…
Find out more »November Second-hand Book Sale
On the second Sunday of each month, Elizabeth Gaskell's House hosts a fantastic second-hand book sale, downstairs in the Servants Hall. All proceeds go towards supporting operations and events in the House. The tearoom always has a fine selection of new and second-hand books for sale, but this is the big one! It's a chance to browse a much wider selection – two rooms filled with second-hand books, donated by book-lovers! The selection includes a variety of fiction, art, gardening,…
Find out more »Knutsford Meeting – November 2020
We're currently organising our programme of speakers for the new season, but please keep this date and we'll see you soon, all being well. Our monthly meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month, between October and April (except December). An excellent buffet lunch is served at 12.30pm followed by a talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, 2-3pm. There will also be a chance to visit the Gaskell Exhibition Room, upstairs in the Chapel Hall building. …
Find out more »December 2020
Christmas Revels in Victorian Manchester
Everyone loves a traditional Victorian Christmas! Cosy down in the Servants’ Hall and join the Gaskell Society's Anthony Burton to discover how Manchester celebrated Christmas in the Victorian era. Warning: may contain festive fun! There’ll be mulled wine and mince pies on offer in the tea room too! Lunch-time talks and readings are included in usual House entry No booking required, but please make sure you arrive in good time to get a seat.
Find out more »December Second-hand Book Sale
On the second Sunday of each month, Elizabeth Gaskell's House hosts a fantastic second-hand book sale, downstairs in the Servants Hall. All proceeds go towards supporting operations and events in the House. The tearoom always has a fine selection of new and second-hand books for sale, but this is the big one! It's a chance to browse a much wider selection – two rooms filled with second-hand books, donated by book-lovers! The selection includes a variety of fiction, art, gardening,…
Find out more »January 2021
Knutsford Meeting – January 2021
We're currently organising our programme of speakers for the new season, but please keep this date and we'll see you soon, all being well. Our monthly meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month, between October and April (except December). An excellent buffet lunch is served at 12.30pm followed by a talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, 2-3pm. There will also be a chance to visit the Gaskell Exhibition Room, upstairs in the Chapel Hall building. …
Find out more »February 2021
Manchester Meeting – February 2021
We're planning our programme of speakers for the next season, so watch this space - and in the meantime, please save the date and we hope to see you there. Our monthly meetings in Manchester are held on the first Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December).Talks begin at 1:30pm, but doors open at 1.00pm, so please feel free to bring a packed lunch and eat with us. The chapel provides tea and coffee for a small donation…
Find out more »Knutsford Meeting – February 2021
We're currently organising our programme of speakers for the new season, but please keep this date and we'll see you soon, all being well. Our monthly meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month, between October and April (except December). An excellent buffet lunch is served at 12.30pm followed by a talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, 2-3pm. There will also be a chance to visit the Gaskell Exhibition Room, upstairs in the Chapel Hall building. …
Find out more »March 2021
Manchester Meeting – March 2021
We're planning our programme of speakers for the next season, so watch this space - and in the meantime, please save the date and we hope to see you there. Our monthly meetings in Manchester are held on the first Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December).Talks begin at 1:30pm, but doors open at 1.00pm, so please feel free to bring a packed lunch and eat with us. The chapel provides tea and coffee for a small donation…
Find out more »Knutsford Meeting – March 2021
We're currently organising our programme of speakers for the new season, but please keep this date and we'll see you soon, all being well. Our monthly meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month, between October and April (except December). An excellent buffet lunch is served at 12.30pm followed by a talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, 2-3pm. There will also be a chance to visit the Gaskell Exhibition Room, upstairs in the Chapel Hall building. …
Find out more »April 2021
Knutsford Meeting – April 2021
We're currently organising our programme of speakers for the new season, but please keep this date and we'll see you soon, all being well. Our monthly meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month, between October and April (except December). An excellent buffet lunch is served at 12.30pm followed by a talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, 2-3pm. There will also be a chance to visit the Gaskell Exhibition Room, upstairs in the Chapel Hall building. …
Find out more »July 2021
The Gaskell Society Conference 2021
The theme for our 2021 conference is 'Elizabeth Gaskell and her Contemporaries'. We'll be exploring the lives, works and importance of a number of nineteenth-century women writers. The event will take place at the Celtic Royal Hotel, Caernarfon, North Wales. More details, including a full timetable and line-up of speakers, will be published here. This really is a very friendly and welcoming conference, so please - save those dates!
Find out more »As you’ll appreciate, arrangements can change, so please be sure to check details before you leave home.