The Gaskell Society and its partners host a year-round programme of meetings and special events, most of which are open to everyone. We’re very friendly – and we’d love to meet you, whether or not you choose to join the Society.
September 2019
Gaskell Society Autumn Meeting
The Joan Leach Memorial Lecture: 'Narrating Sexuality' by Carolyn Lambert Gaskell was intrigued by questions of gender & sexuality and explored these in her writing in surprising ways. This presentation focuses on Gaskell's presentations of masculinity in her shorter fiction but also her subversive challenges to cultural expectations of femininity. Carolyn Lambert is a visiting lecturer at the University of Brighton where she teaches nineteenth-century literature. She is the author of The Meanings of Home in Elizabeth Gaskell’s Fiction (Brighton: Victorian Secrets, 2013)…
Find out more »Elizabeth Gaskell’s Birthday Talk: Elizabeth Gaskell and Gossip
We’re celebrating Elizabeth Gaskell’s birthday with a glass of wine and a good gossip! The Gaskell Society’s Elizabeth Williams will discuss Elizabeth Gaskell’s sharp eye and sharper tongue in this fascinating talk on Gaskell and gossip. Is gossip just malicious tittle-tattle, or could it be a compelling kind of story-telling? Find out more, as we delve into Elizabeth Gaskell’s writings to decide just what her gossip entails! Please join us for a complimentary glass of wine prior to the talk…
Find out more »October 2019
Manchester Meeting at Cross Street Chapel
The Whitfield Collection, Knutsford Library A talk by Linda Clarke, Archivist at Cheshire Archives & Local Studies Knutsford Library holds a wonderful collection of Gaskell-related books, letters, cuttings, photographs, journals, foreign language editions, dramatisations, literary criticisms and background material, originally collected by Professor A Stanton Whitfield (1900-1975). Linda will talk about this publicly available collection and its relevance and interest to the Gaskell enthusiasts of today. The talk will begin at 1:30pm, but doors open at 1.00pm,…
Find out more »Florence Nightingale – Behind the Legend
Discover the person behind the legend. Florence Nightingale was a gifted and complex woman who became a legend in her own lifetime. This illustrated talk will attempt to portray and explain her background, her motives and her struggle to lead an independent life, her rise to fame as “the lady with the lamp” and her success in public health reforms. Elizabeth Gaskell was a friend of Florence’s sister, Parthenope, who painted the picture of Florence that we have in the…
Find out more »October Pen Portrait
Published writer and Gaskell House volunteer Philip Watts has created a collection of four monologues in the form of imaginary letters in which members of the Gaskell circle – Elizabeth, William, Margaret and Charlotte Brontë – discuss the artistic representations of themselves to be found in the house. Each lasts ten minutes and provides an entertaining way to learn more about the house and its occupants. One of the monologues will be performed every first Sunday of the month at…
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 »Victorian Book Group – The Age of Innocence
October sees the turn of Edith Wharton's 1920 novel, set in New York's high society of the 1870s. The Victorian book group continues its focus on reading (and rereading) classic works of fiction. Our scope spans the long nineteenth century and often includes neo-Victorian novels. We are especially interested in writings by and about women, and always feature one work by Elizabeth Gaskell. In 2019, we will explore the genre of the family saga and continue our investigation of how…
Find out more »Knutsford Meeting – October 2019
In October and November, we'll be discussing Cousin Phillis. 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. Read Diane Duffy's blog post about the novella here. There will also be a chance to visit the Gaskell Exhibition Room, upstairs in the Chapel Hall building. Everyone is most welcome. £10…
Find out more »Elizabeth Gaskell’s Gothic Tales
Get into the Halloween spirit and join us for a lunch-time talk on Elizabeth Gaskell’s gothic tales, with Gaskell Society committee member, Dr Diane Duffy. Mysterious vanishings, eerie old buildings, windswept moors and ghostly goings-on: Elizabeth Gaskell’s goosebump-inducing gothic stories are a far cry from the gritty Manchester novels with which she’s often associated. Come along at 1pm to find out more about these dark and decidedly spine-tingling tales.
Find out more »November 2019
Manchester Meeting at Cross Street Chapel
Elizabeth Gaskell’s French Connection A talk by John Greenwood, Editor of the Gaskell Newsletter John will talk about the important influences of all things French on Gaskell and her writing. His particular focus will be on the actual presence of the French language in Gaskell’s novels, short stories and articles. The talk will 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…
Find out more »London & South East Gaskell Society Meeting
Connectedness in Cranford A talk by Annick Pommier Elizabeth Gaskell led a highly connected life. She built a vast and varied social network over a relatively short period of time and the thousand or so letters that she wrote give us a glimpse of a woman for whom forging and maintaining connections was essential. Her need to connect was not confined to her personality and social life and extends to her works. In her presentation, Annick will explore some of the…
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 »Cloth and Class: Paisley Shawls in Elizabeth Gaskell’s Writing
Paisley shawls are a recurring motif in Elizabeth Gaskell’s writing. What is their importance and meaning in her work? Join designer and textile lecturer Margo Singer to find out, in this fascinating talk. Take the chance to see the display of original paisley wool scarves from the Elizabeth Gaskell Family Collection too.
Find out more »Mary Barton’s Manchester
Join us for an evening talk on the 1840s Manchester of Elizabeth Gaskell’s first novel, Mary Barton. Back by popular demand, the Gaskell Society's Dr Diane Duffy will lead you on a literary journey of discovery of the places, buildings and landmarks of the city as featured in the book, with extracts from the text to map the way. This fascinating talk will interest anyone who wants to find out more about historical Manchester in Elizabeth Gaskell’s writing. Tickets are £8.…
Find out more »Victorian Book Group – Fathers and Sons
November's meeting is all about Ivan Turgenev's classic novel. Now in its 4th year, the Victorian book group continues its focus on reading (and rereading) classic works of fiction. Our scope spans the long nineteenth century and often includes neo-Victorian novels. We are especially interested in writings by and about women, and always feature one work by Elizabeth Gaskell. In 2019, we will explore the genre of the family saga and continue our investigation of how the British novel developed…
Find out more »Knutsford Meeting – November 2019
In November, we'll continue our discussion about the short novel, Cousin Phillis. 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. Everyone is most welcome - £10 members, £11 non-members if you'd like lunch.…
Find out more »December 2019
Christmas Storms and Sunshine: Elizabeth Gaskell’s Short Stories
Cats, babies and sausages – what more could you want from a Christmas tale? “My dear, I wish for turkey and sausages. It may be a weakness, but I own I am partial to sausages.” So says Mr Jenkins, arch-nemesis of fellow lodger Mr Hodgson, at the start of Elizabeth Gaskell’s short story of Christmas quarrels, written in 1848. This seasonal short story, with a wonderfully-evocative domestic setting, has all the ingredients (including the sausages!) of a satisfying seasonal tale:…
Find out more »Christmas Buffet Lunch
The Agony & the Recipe: the Victorian Invention of the Woman’s Magazine A talk by Margaret Beetham, Lecturer (Retired), Dept. of English, Manchester Metropolitan University Margaret has published extensively on Victorian women’s magazines: her book A Magazine of Her Own? Domesticity & Desire in the Women’s Magazine, 1800-1914 asks the question – ‘Was the 19th century woman’s magazine like a corset - a source of pleasure or an instrument of control?’ She is also the joint author of Victorian Women’s…
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 »Victorian Christmas Games
Forfeits…Snap Apple…Musical Fright: just a selection of the curious Christmas games played around the Victorian fireside during the festive season! Join the Gaskell Society's Anthony Burton as he discusses weird and wonderful Victorian Christmas parlour games – with the chance for visitors to join in the fun. Treat yourself to a mince pie and a warming mulled wine in the cosy Tea Room too!
Find out more »Victorian Christmas Games
A lunchtime talk by The Gaskell Society's Anthony Burton. Forfeits…Snap Apple…Musical Fright: just a selection of the curious Christmas games played around the Victorian fireside during the festive season! Join Anthony as he discusses weird and wonderful Victorian Christmas parlour games – with the chance for you to join in the fun too! Treat yourself to a mince pie and a warming mulled wine in the cosy Tea Room too! Entry included in your house entry ticket.
Find out more »January 2020
January 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 »Gaskell Society New Year Lunch
We are delighted to be once again holding our New Year Lunch at The Cottons Hotel, Knutsford. The three-course lunch, including coffee costs £26 and will include after lunch entertainment, courtesy of Diane Duffy, who will, with her fellow Thespians, perform “The Old Nurse’s Story”. After her rave reviews at the Conference, we are in for a treat! Places must be booked in advance - please contact Mrs Carolyn McCreesh by 31st December. Cheques should be made payable to The…
Find out more »Wedding Afternoon Event
Did you know you can get married at Elizabeth Gaskell's House? We would be hard-pressed to think of anything more wonderful than that! Come along and meet the House's Wedding Co-ordinator, who will show you around and tell you all you'll need to know about having your wedding at this warm and friendly - but oh so elegant - house with its gorgeous gardens.. Booking is required for free entry - and your free glass of prosecco - so please…
Find out more »Reading the Nineteenth Century 1 – Ruth
A new, five-part evening reading course at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House - enter the world of fallen women in the Victorian novel. When a women’s virtue is compromised, what choices lie open to her? Whose fault is it that she falls in the first place? And what will happen to the children born as a result? To answer these questions, Sherry Ashworth, Visiting Teaching fellow at Manchester Writing School, will lead you into the turbulent fictional lives of these Nineteenth-Century women,…
Find out more »As you’ll appreciate, arrangements can change, so please be sure to check details before you leave home.