BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//The Gaskell Society - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:The Gaskell Society X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Gaskell Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20220327T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20221030T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20230326T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20231029T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20240331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20241027T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20270328T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20271031T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260920T104500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260920T120000 DTSTAMP:20260817T121522Z CREATED:20260816T160919Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260817T121522Z UID:4434-1789901100-1789905600@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:The Gaskell Memorial Service 2026 DESCRIPTION:Every year\, on a Sunday close to what would have been Elizabeth Gaskell’s birthday\, we lay flowers on her grave (10.45am) at Brook Street Chapel in Knutsford. We also lay flowers on the nearby grave of the Gaskell Society’s founder\, the much-missed Joan Leach. We then go into the chapel for a special service from 11am. Our theme this year is education. \nYou are most welcome to join us. URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/the-gaskell-memorial-service-2026/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Knutsford ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260428T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260428T150000 DTSTAMP:20260325T185743Z CREATED:20250606T173953Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T185743Z UID:7711-1777381200-1777388400@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell - Far From the Madding Crowd DESCRIPTION:« All Events\n \n\n Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell – Far From the Madding Crowd\n 28 April\n \,\n1:00 pm\n –\n3:00 pm \n\n£5 – £6 \nDr Diane Duffy continues her popular study session series looking at Elizabeth Gaskell’s literary legacy. This season\, she turns her attention to this classic work by Thomas Hardy. \nAs Diane says\, “After studying the links between George Eliot and Elizabeth Gaskell last season\, it became plain that many themes in Gaskell’s work were recurring in Eliot’s: marriage\, education\, the position of women and the political situation in England. Another common feature was their serialisation in The Cornhill Magazine. \n“Cornhill readers required a specific kind of literature\, which I will talk more about in the study sessions\, so it is not surprising that Thomas Hardy\, who published his first novel\, Far from the Madding Crowd [1874] in the Cornhill\, became an obvious choice to consider as one who may have carried forward Gaskell’s legacy. \nOn a superficial level\, the rural community in Hardy’s Wessex can be compared with Gaskell’s Cheshire in works such as Cranford\, Cousin Phyllis and Wives and Daughters. Similarly in Far From the Madding Crowd\, Hardy is looking at the role of women and their marriage choices – clearly very Gaskell!” \nIn the novel\, Bathsheba Everdene has three suitors: the constant\, but humble\, shepherd Gabriel Oak; the lonely\, middle-aged landowner William Boldwood and the handsome\, dashing Sergeant\, Francis Troy – three very different men. Which will she choose – and will her choice be the right one? \nInitially we will work through the novel looking at specific chapters and incidents and their importance. These can\, where appropriate\, be compared with Gaskell. \nIn this\, the final session we will look more thematically at the novel as a whole. We’ll consider some of the novel’s themes\, including setting\, gender\, religion\, humour\, and  Victorian society. These can be compared with Gaskell and her treatment of similar subjects \n \n Read Diane’s Extracts and Points to Ponder\n \nDoors open from 1pm: feel free to bring a packed lunch. The study session and Zoom meeting will begin at 2pm. \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or use the Book Now button below (no booking fee). Diane will also run the sessions on Zoom\, so if you can’t join us in Knutsford\, join us online. You’ll receive the Zoom link with your ticket. \n\n \n \nBuy  Far From the Madding Crowd from Bookshop.org using the link below and the Gaskell Society will receive a small commission\, helping us to continue our activities.  \nWhere to find us\n\n Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\n\nAdam's Hill\,\n \n Knutsford\,\n WA16 8DY\n United Kingdom\n\n\n + Google Map \n\n \n \n \n\n View Venue Website \n\n\n\n \n Add to calendar \n \n \n \n\n\n Google Calendar\n\n\n iCalendar\n\n\n Outlook 365\n\n\n Outlook Live\n\n\n\n\n\n\n The Invention of Charlotte Brontë – Elizabeth Gaskell and her Infamous Brontë Biography \n\n\n \n Charlotte Brontë and Elizabeth Gaskell- A Friendship URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/thomas-hardy-and-elizabeth-gaskell-april/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,Knutsford,Zoom ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/hardy-and-gaskell.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260331T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260331T150000 DTSTAMP:20260303T101647Z CREATED:20250606T173749Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260303T101647Z UID:7709-1774962000-1774969200@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell - Far From the Madding Crowd DESCRIPTION:Dr Diane Duffy continues her popular study session series looking at Elizabeth Gaskell’s literary legacy. This season\, she turns her attention to this classic work by Thomas Hardy. \nAs Diane says\, “After studying the links between George Eliot and Elizabeth Gaskell last season\, it became plain that many themes in Gaskell’s work were recurring in Eliot’s: marriage\, education\, the position of women and the political situation in England. Another common feature was their serialisation in The Cornhill Magazine. \n“Cornhill readers required a specific kind of literature\, which I will talk more about in the study sessions\, so it is not surprising that Thomas Hardy\, who published his first novel\, Far from the Madding Crowd [1874] in the Cornhill\, became an obvious choice to consider as one who may have carried forward Gaskell’s legacy. \nOn a superficial level\, the rural community in Hardy’s Wessex can be compared with Gaskell’s Cheshire in works such as Cranford\, Cousin Phyllis and Wives and Daughters. Similarly in Far From the Madding Crowd\, Hardy is looking at the role of women and their marriage choices – clearly very Gaskell!” \nIn the novel\, Bathsheba Everdene has three suitors: the constant\, but humble\, shepherd Gabriel Oak; the lonely\, middle-aged landowner William Boldwood and the handsome\, dashing Sergeant\, Francis Troy – three very different men. Which will she choose – and will her choice be the right one? \nInitially we will work through the novel looking at specific chapters and incidents and their importance. These can\, where appropriate\, be compared with Gaskell. In the final session we will look more thematically at the novel as a whole. \n\nSession 5  (31 March 2026) Chapters 47-52\nSession 6 (28 April 2026 – We’ll consider some of the novel’s themes\, including setting\, gender\, religion\, humour\, and  Victorian society. These can be compared with Gaskell and her treatment of similar subjects\n\n \n Read Diane’s Extracts and Points to Ponder\n \nDoors open from 1pm: feel free to bring a packed lunch. The study session and Zoom meeting will begin at 2pm. \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or use the Book Now button below (no booking fee). Diane will also run the sessions on Zoom\, so if you can’t join us in Knutsford\, join us online. You’ll receive the Zoom link with your ticket. \n\n \n \nBuy  Far From the Madding Crowd from Bookshop.org using the link below and the Gaskell Society will receive a small commission\, helping us to continue our activities.  \nWhere to find us\n\n Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\n\nAdam's Hill\,\n \n Knutsford\,\n WA16 8DY\n United Kingdom\n\n\n + Google Map \n\n \n \n \n\n View Venue Website \n\n\n\n \n Add to calendar \n \n \n \n\n\n Google Calendar\n\n\n iCalendar\n\n\n Outlook 365\n\n\n Outlook Live\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Manchester Meeting – 'Elizabeth and Ruth' with Livi Michael \n\n\n \n Gaskell Society Annual General Meeting 2026 URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/thomas-hardy-and-elizabeth-gaskell-march/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,Knutsford,Zoom ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/hardy-and-gaskell.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260224T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260224T150000 DTSTAMP:20260212T181004Z CREATED:20250606T172604Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T181004Z UID:7705-1771938000-1771945200@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell - Far From the Madding Crowd DESCRIPTION:Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell – Far From the Madding Crowd\n 24 February\n \,\n1:00 pm\n –\n3:00 pm \n\n£5 – £6 \nDr Diane Duffy continues her popular study session series looking at Elizabeth Gaskell’s literary legacy. This season\, she turns her attention to this classic work by Thomas Hardy. \nAs Diane says\, “After studying the links between George Eliot and Elizabeth Gaskell last season\, it became plain that many themes in Gaskell’s work were recurring in Eliot’s: marriage\, education\, the position of women and the political situation in England. Another common feature was their serialisation in The Cornhill Magazine. \n“Cornhill readers required a specific kind of literature\, which I will talk more about in the study sessions\, so it is not surprising that Thomas Hardy\, who published his first novel\, Far from the Madding Crowd [1874] in the Cornhill\, became an obvious choice to consider as one who may have carried forward Gaskell’s legacy. \nOn a superficial level\, the rural community in Hardy’s Wessex can be compared with Gaskell’s Cheshire in works such as Cranford\, Cousin Phyllis and Wives and Daughters. Similarly in Far From the Madding Crowd\, Hardy is looking at the role of women and their marriage choices – clearly very Gaskell!” \nIn the novel\, Bathsheba Everdene has three suitors: the constant\, but humble\, shepherd Gabriel Oak; the lonely\, middle-aged landowner William Boldwood and the handsome\, dashing Sergeant\, Francis Troy – three very different men. Which will she choose – and will her choice be the right one? \nInitially we will work through the novel looking at specific chapters and incidents and their importance. These can\, where appropriate\, be compared with Gaskell. In the final session we will look more thematically at the novel as a whole. \n\nSession 4 (24 February 2026) – Chapters 36-46\nSession 5  (31 March 2026) Chapters 47-52\nSession 6 (28 April 2026 – We’ll consider some of the novel’s themes\, including setting\, gender\, religion\, humour\, and  Victorian society. These can be compared with Gaskell and her treatment of similar subjects\n\n \n Read Diane’s Extracts and Points to Ponder\n \nDoors open from 1pm: feel free to bring a packed lunch. The study session and Zoom meeting will begin at 2pm. \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or use the Book Now button below (no booking fee). Diane will also run the sessions on Zoom\, so if you can’t join us in Knutsford\, join us online. You’ll receive the Zoom link with your ticket. \n\n \n \nBuy  Far From the Madding Crowd from Bookshop.org using the link below and the Gaskell Society will receive a small commission\, helping us to continue our activities.  \nWhere to find us\n\n Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\n\nAdam's Hill\,\n \n Knutsford\,\n WA16 8DY\n United Kingdom\n\n\n + Google Map \n\n \n \n \n\n View Venue Website \n\n\n\n \n Add to calendar \n \n \n \n\n\n Google Calendar\n\n\n iCalendar\n\n\n Outlook 365\n\n\n Outlook Live\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Richard Hooke and his Photo-Painted Portrait of William Gaskell \n\n\n \n Manchester Meeting – 'Elizabeth and Ruth' with Livi Michael URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/thomas-hardy-and-elizabeth-gaskell-february/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,Knutsford,Zoom ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/hardy-and-gaskell.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260127T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260127T150000 DTSTAMP:20250624T164753Z CREATED:20250606T172257Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250624T164753Z UID:7702-1769518800-1769526000@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell - Far From the Madding Crowd DESCRIPTION:« All Events\n \n\n Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell – Far From the Madding Crowd\n 27 January\n \,\n1:00 pm\n –\n3:00 pm \n\n£5 – £6 \nDr Diane Duffy continues her popular study session series looking at Elizabeth Gaskell’s literary legacy. This season\, she turns her attention to this classic work by Thomas Hardy. \n \nAs Diane says\, “After studying the links between George Eliot and Elizabeth Gaskell last season\, it became plain that many themes in Gaskell’s work were recurring in Eliot’s: marriage\, education\, the position of women and the political situation in England. Another common feature was their serialisation in The Cornhill Magazine. \n“Cornhill readers required a specific kind of literature\, which I will talk more about in the study sessions\, so it is not surprising that Thomas Hardy\, who published his first novel\, Far from the Madding Crowd [1874] in the Cornhill\, became an obvious choice to consider as one who may have carried forward Gaskell’s legacy. \nOn a superficial level\, the rural community in Hardy’s Wessex can be compared with Gaskell’s Cheshire in works such as Cranford\, Cousin Phyllis and Wives and Daughters. Similarly in Far From the Madding Crowd\, Hardy is looking at the role of women and their marriage choices – clearly very Gaskell!” \nIn the novel\, Bathsheba Everdene has three suitors: the constant\, but humble\, shepherd Gabriel Oak; the lonely\, middle-aged landowner William Boldwood and the handsome\, dashing Sergeant\, Francis Troy – three very different men. Which will she choose – and will her choice be the right one? \nInitially we will work through the novel looking at specific chapters and incidents and their importance. These can\, where appropriate\, be compared with Gaskell. In the final session we will look more thematically at the novel as a whole. \n\nSession 3  (27 January 2026) – Chapters 25-35\nSession 4 (24 February 2026) – Chapters 36-46\nSession 5  (31 March 2026) Chapters 47-52\nSession 6 (28 April 2026 – We’ll consider some of the novel’s themes\, including setting\, gender\, religion\, humour\, and  Victorian society. These can be compared with Gaskell and her treatment of similar subjects\n\n \n Read Diane’s Extracts and Points to Ponder\n \nDoors open from 1pm: feel free to bring a packed lunch. The study session and Zoom meeting will begin at 2pm. \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or use the Book Now button below (no booking fee). Diane will also run the sessions on Zoom\, so if you can’t join us in Knutsford\, join us online. You’ll receive the Zoom link with your ticket. \n\n \n \nBuy  Far From the Madding Crowd from Bookshop.org using the link below and the Gaskell Society will receive a small commission\, helping us to continue our activities.  \nWhere to find us\n\n Brook Street Chapel\n\nAdam's Hill\,\n \n Knutsford\,\n WA16 8DY\n United Kingdom\n\n\n + Google Map \n\n \n \n \n\n View Venue Website \n\n\n\n \n Add to calendar \n \n \n \n\n\n Google Calendar\n\n\n iCalendar\n\n\n Outlook 365\n\n\n Outlook Live\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Manchester Meeting – December 2025 \n\n\n \n Manchester Meeting – Continental Travellers' Tales of Manchester with Philip Morey URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/thomas-hardy-and-elizabeth-gaskell-january/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,Knutsford,Zoom ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/hardy-and-gaskell.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260113T120000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260113T120000 DTSTAMP:20251025T171709Z CREATED:20251025T170350Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251025T171709Z UID:8261-1768305600-1768305600@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Gaskell Society New Year Lunch\, 2026 DESCRIPTION:The Gaskell Society New Year Lunch 2026\n \n \n \nWe’re thrilled to welcome back members and friends for our wonderfully convivial New Year lunch – a firm favourite in our society’s calendar. Join us at the Cottons Hotel\, Knutsford for a three-course lunch\, including coffee and after-lunch entertainment. \nAs a Society\, it’s a priority for us to deliver good value for our members and guests\, and we’re delighted that this year’s lunch costs only £1 more than last year’s\, despite universal rising costs. We very much appreciate the support and help from the wonderful team at Cottons: they look after us (and feed us!) so well.  \nMembers old and new\, non-members and guests are all most welcome to join us for this friendly and welcoming event which will help banish those January blues! \nTuesday 13 January 2026\, arrival 12.00 for 12.30. \nMenu\nStarters \nFrench Onion Soup with Gruyère and chive crostini  \nWhipped Chicken Liver Parfait\,  fig chutney\, toasted sourdough \nCurious Cocktail: Prawn\, baby gem\, burnt lemon emulsion\, compressed pickled cucumber\, Bloody Mary sauce\, fresh brown bloomer bread  \nMain courses \nPort Braised Feather Blade of Beefdauphinois potato\, petit onion and truffle jus\, seasonal vegetables  \nRoast Fillet of Cod lemon crushed potato\, sprouting broccoli\, warm tartare sauce  \nBeetroot and Wild Mushroom Risottosalsa verde\, and baked focaccia shards  \nDesserts \nWarm Chocolate Fondant\, rich chocolate sauce\, Madagascan vanilla ice-cream  \nCrème Brulée\,  served with shortbread biscuit   \nFresh Fruit Salad\,  lemon verbena and mascarpone \n— \nCoffee and mint chocolate crisp \nTickets are £29.50 per person\, payable at any Gaskell Society meeting or by cheque in the post.  Please click here to download a booking form to print and send with your cheque. Please book by 25 December 2025.  \nIf you book online (using the link below)\, the cost is £32.00 (which includes a booking fee of £2.50 per ticket). This is an instant\, confirmed booking (no need for a booking form)\, which saves time\, printing and postage costs. Online bookings must be made by 25 December 2025. URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/gaskell-society-new-year-lunch-2026/ LOCATION:Cottons Hotel and Spa\, Manchester Road\, Knutsford\, WA16 0SU\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Knutsford,Lunch ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251125T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251125T150000 DTSTAMP:20250617T085007Z CREATED:20250606T155056Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250617T085007Z UID:7649-1764075600-1764082800@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell - Far From the Madding Crowd DESCRIPTION:« All Events\n \n\n Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell – Far From the Madding Crowd\n 25 November\n \,\n1:00 pm\n –\n3:00 pm \n\n£5 – £6 \nDr Diane Duffy continues her popular study session series looking at Elizabeth Gaskell’s literary legacy. This season\, she turns her attention to this classic work by Thomas Hardy. \n \nAs Diane says\, “After studying the links between George Eliot and Elizabeth Gaskell last season\, it became plain that many themes in Gaskell’s work were recurring in Eliot’s: marriage\, education\, the position of women and the political situation in England. Another common feature was their serialisation in The Cornhill Magazine. \n“Cornhill readers required a specific kind of literature\, which I will talk more about in the study sessions\, so it is not surprising that Thomas Hardy\, who published his first novel\, Far from the Madding Crowd [1874] in the Cornhill\, became an obvious choice to consider as one who may have carried forward Gaskell’s legacy. \nOn a superficial level\, the rural community in Hardy’s Wessex can be compared with Gaskell’s Cheshire in works such as Cranford\, Cousin Phyllis and Wives and Daughters. Similarly in Far From the Madding Crowd\, Hardy is looking at the role of women and their marriage choices – clearly very Gaskell!” \nIn the novel\, Bathsheba Everdene has three suitors: the constant\, but humble\, shepherd Gabriel Oak; the lonely\, middle-aged landowner William Boldwood and the handsome\, dashing Sergeant\, Francis Troy – three very different men. Which will she choose – and will her choice be the right one? \nInitially we will work through the novel looking at specific chapters and incidents and their importance. These can\, where appropriate\, be compared with Gaskell. In the final session we will look more thematically at the novel as a whole. \n\nSession 2 (25 November 2025) – Chapters 12-24\nSession 3  (27 January 2026) – Chapters 25-35\nSession 4 (24 February 2026) – Chapters 36-46\nSession 5  (31 March 2026) – Chapters 47-52\nSession 6 (28 April 2026) – We’ll consider some of the novel’s themes\, including setting\, gender\, religion\, humour\, and  Victorian society. These can be compared with Gaskell and her treatment of similar subjects\n\n \n Read Diane’s Extracts and Points to Ponder\n \nDoors open from 1pm: feel free to bring a packed lunch. The study session and Zoom meeting will begin at 2pm. \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or use the Book Now button below (no booking fee). Diane will also run the sessions on Zoom\, so if you can’t join us in Knutsford\, join us online. You’ll receive the Zoom link with your ticket. \n\n \n \nBuy  Far From the Madding Crowd from Bookshop.org using the link below and the Gaskell Society will receive a small commission\, helping us to continue our activities.  \nWhere to find us\n\n Brook Street Chapel\n\nAdam's Hill\,\n \n Knutsford\,\n WA16 8DY\n United Kingdom\n\n\n + Google Map \n\n \n \n \n\n View Venue Website \n\n\n\n \n Add to calendar \n \n \n \n\n\n Google Calendar\n\n\n iCalendar\n\n\n Outlook 365\n\n\n Outlook Live\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Mary Sidney Herbert and Elizabeth Gaskell: networks across time and place \n\n\n \n Manchester Meeting – December 2025 URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/thomas-hardy-and-elizabeth-gaskell-november/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,Knutsford,Zoom ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/hardy-and-gaskell.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251028T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251028T150000 DTSTAMP:20250820T165131Z CREATED:20250605T161437Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250820T165131Z UID:7608-1761656400-1761663600@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell - Far From the Madding Crowd DESCRIPTION:« All Events \nThomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell – Far From the Madding Crowd\n28 October\n\,\n1:00 pm\n–\n3:00 pm \n£5 – £6 \nDr Diane Duffy continues her popular study session series looking at Elizabeth Gaskell’s literary legacy. This season\, she turns her attention to this classic work by Thomas Hardy. \n \nAs Diane says\, “After studying the links between George Eliot and Elizabeth Gaskell last season\, it became plain that many themes in Gaskell’s work were recurring in Eliot’s: marriage\, education\, the position of women and the political situation in England. Another common feature was their serialisation in The Cornhill Magazine. \n“Cornhill readers required a specific kind of literature\, which I will talk more about in the study sessions\, so it is not surprising that Thomas Hardy\, who published his first novel\, Far from the Madding Crowd [1874] in the Cornhill\, became an obvious choice to consider as one who may have carried forward Gaskell’s legacy. \nEven on a superficial level\, the rural community in Hardy’s Wessex can be compared with Gaskell’s Cheshire in works such as Cranford\, Cousin Phyllis and Wives and Daughters. Similarly in Far From the Madding Crowd\, Hardy is looking at the role of women and their marriage choices – clearly very Gaskell!” \nIn the novel\, Bathsheba Everdene has three suitors: the constant\, but humble\, shepherd Gabriel Oak; the lonely\, middle-aged landowner William Boldwood and the handsome\, dashing Sergeant\, Francis Troy – three very different men. Which will she choose – and will her choice be the right one? \nInitially we will work through the novel looking at specific chapters and incidents and their importance. These can\, where appropriate\, be compared with Gaskell. In the final session we will look more thematically at the novel as a whole. \n\nSession 1 (28 October 2025) – Chapters 1-11\nSession 2 (25 November 2025) – Chapters 12-24\nSession 3  (27 January 2026) – Chapters 25-35\nSession 4 (24 February 2026) – Chapters 36-46\nSession 5  (31 March 2026) – Chapters 47-52\nSession 6 (28 April 2026) – We’ll consider some of the novel’s themes\, including setting\, gender\, religion\, humour\, and  Victorian society. These can be compared with Gaskell and her treatment of similar subjects\n\n\nRead Diane’s session 1 Extracts and Points to Ponder here\n \nDoors open from 1pm: feel free to bring a packed lunch. The study session and Zoom meeting will begin at 2pm. \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or use the Book Now button below (no booking fee). Diane will also run the sessions on Zoom\, so if you can’t join us in Knutsford\, join us online. You’ll receive the Zoom link with your ticket. \n\n\n \nBuy  Far From the Madding Crowd from Bookshop.org and the Gaskell Society will receive a small commission\, helping us to continue our activities.  \nWhere to find us\nBrook Street Chapel\nAdam’s Hill\, \nKnutsford\,\nWA16 8DY\nUnited Kingdom \n+ Google Map \n  \nView Venue Website \n\n\n\n\nAdd to calendar \n \n\nGoogle Calendar\niCalendar\nOutlook 365\nOutlook Live\n\n\n\n\nSamuel Bamford and the Gaskells \n\nThe Rural Idyll and the Changing World: Challenging Conventionality in the Novels of Elizabeth Gaskell and Thomas Hardy URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/thomas-hardy-and-elizabeth-gaskell-october/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,Knutsford,Zoom ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/hardy-and-gaskell.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250921T104500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250921T120000 DTSTAMP:20250513T160622Z CREATED:20250513T140842Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250513T160622Z UID:7487-1758451500-1758456000@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:The Gaskell Memorial Service 2025 DESCRIPTION:Every year\, on a Sunday close to what would have been Elizabeth Gaskell’s birthday\, we lay flowers on Elizabeth Gaskell’s grave (10.45am) at Brook Street Chapel in Knutsford. \nWe also lay flowers on the nearby grave of the Gaskell Society’s founder\, the much-missed Joan Leach. We then go into the chapel for a special service\, with readings from Gaskell’s works\,  from 11am. Our theme this year is friendship. \nYou are most welcome to join us. URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/the-gaskell-memorial-service-2025/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Knutsford ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250920T103000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250920T130000 DTSTAMP:20250729T174503Z CREATED:20250307T113042Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250729T174503Z UID:7255-1758364200-1758373200@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Autumn Meeting 2025 - Isabella Banks's Tales of Two Cities DESCRIPTION:« All Events\n \n\n Autumn Meeting 2025 – Isabella Banks’s Tales of Two Cities\n 20 September\n \,\n10:30 am\n –\n1:00 pm \n \nThis year’s Joan Leach Memorial Lecture will be given by Michelle D.  Ravenscroft (Manchester Metropolitan University \nManchester-born Isabella Banks is best known for her popular novel\, The Manchester Man (1876). Set against the backdrop of the manufacturing industry during the first decades of the nineteenth century\, the story visits locations across the city\, and beyond. Manchester also features in Banks’s first work of fiction\, God’s Providence House (1865)\, and her later novel\, Forbidden to Wed (1885)\, both of which are mainly set in Chester\, a city the author learned about from tales related to her during childhood. Through these works\, and more\, this talk will explore key locations in both cities\, that inspired her writing\, and will consider how place has helped to create memorable stories enjoyed by readers for over 150 years.   \n10.30am – Coffee \n11am –  The Joan Leach Memorial Lecture12noon – Bring your own picnic lunch. Tea/coffee will be available.1pm – Finish We’ll make a recording of this talk available to ticket holders for viewing after the event (we’re sorry we can’t live stream for acoustic reasons).  Book online using the button below\, or give us your email address at the meeting and we’ll make sure we send you the necessary link. \n \n \n\n Categories:\n Knutsford\, meeting \n\n The Gaskell Society\n\n \n \n \nView Organiser Website \n\n \n gaskellsociety@gmail.com \n \n\n Knutsford Methodist Church\n\nPrincess Street\n \n Knutsford\,\n WA16 6BY\n United Kingdom\n\n\n + Google Map \n\n \n \n \n\n View Venue Website \n\n\n\n \n Add to calendar \n \n \n \n\n\n Google Calendar\n\n\n iCalendar\n\n\n Outlook 365\n\n\n Outlook Live\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Online Talk: At Home with Elizabeth Gaskell \n\n\n \n The Gaskell Memorial Service 2025 URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/autumn-meeting-2025/ LOCATION:Knutsford Methodist Church\, Princess Street\, Knutsford\, WA16 6BY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Knutsford,Meeting ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250429T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250429T150000 DTSTAMP:20250320T120611Z CREATED:20240219T122040Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250320T120611Z UID:5155-1745931600-1745938800@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Knutsford Meeting - Eliot & Gaskell\, Critical Responses DESCRIPTION:To round off her season of discussions comparing the works of Elizabeth Gaskell and George Eliot\, Dr Diane Duffy takes a look at some critical reponses from the nineteenth and twenties centuries – including what Eliot said about Gaskell’s work. How much do we agree with these various points of view and how well have they dated?. \nOur monthly Knutsford meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month\, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion\, 2-3pm. Everyone is most welcome. £5 members\, £6 non-members \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or book online (no booking fee). \nExtracts and points to ponder can be found here.  \n\n\n \nUse the links below to purchase any of these books and you’ll be supporting the Gaskell Society through our affiliate link.  Bookshop.org also champions independent bookshops.  \n  URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/knutsford-meeting-april-2025/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,Knutsford,Meeting,Zoom ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250325T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250325T150000 DTSTAMP:20250227T164341Z CREATED:20240219T121940Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250227T164341Z UID:5156-1742907600-1742914800@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Knutsford Meeting - Adam Bede\, Ruth and Mary Barton DESCRIPTION:In this session\, Dr Diane Duffy will be looking at  Fallenness in  Adam Bede\, Ruth and Mary Barton with a focus on the characters of  Hetty Sorrel\, Ruth and Aunt Esther. \nOur monthly Knutsford meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month\, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion\, 2-3pm. Everyone is most welcome. £5 members\, £6 non-members \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or book online (no booking fee). \nRead Diane’s extracts and points to ponder.  \n\n\n \nUse the links below to purchase any of these books and you’ll be supporting the Gaskell Society through our affiliate link.  Bookshop.org also champions independent bookshops.  \n  URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/knutsford-meeting-march-2025/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,George Eliot,Knutsford,Mary Barton,Meeting,Zoom ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250225T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250225T150000 DTSTAMP:20241108T140312Z CREATED:20240219T121831Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241108T140312Z UID:5157-1740488400-1740495600@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Knutsford Meeting - Middlemarch & Wives and Daughters DESCRIPTION:Many critics have considered the similarities between the works of Elizabeth Gaskell and George Eliot\, thus suggesting one having influenced the other. Eliot’s reputation has been such that there is often an assumption that Gaskell would be influenced by her. The question we should be asking is: Did Gaskell in any way influence Eliot? \nIn this fourth session\, Dr Diane Duffy looks the themes of education and marriage\, with particular focus on Rosamund Vincy and Mrs Gibson. \nOur monthly Knutsford meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month\, between October and April (except December). They take the form of an informal and friendly open discussion / study session. Come along and share your thoughts\, or simply enjoy listening in.\nBring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy the discussion\, 2-3pm. Everyone is most welcome. £5 members\, £6 non-members \nDownload Diane’s Points to Ponder and extracts from the two works for discussion.  \nThis talk will be delivered live in-person\, in Knutsford\, with a simultaneous Zoom link for remote participants (please note we will not be making a recording available for later viewing).  \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or book online (no booking fee). \n\n\n \nUse the links below to purchase any of these books and you’ll be supporting the Gaskell Society through our affiliate link.  Bookshop.org also champions independent bookshops.  \n  URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/knutsford-meeting-february-2025/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,George Eliot,Knutsford,Meeting,Wives & Daughters,Zoom ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250128T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250128T150000 DTSTAMP:20240814T150900Z CREATED:20240730T080434Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240814T150900Z UID:6546-1738069200-1738076400@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Knutsford Meeting - The Mill on the Floss & Wives and Daughters DESCRIPTION:In Session 3\, Dr Diane Duffy takes a look at the  portrayal of sisters in these well-loved works by George Eliot and Elizabeth Gaskell. \nOur monthly Knutsford meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month\, between October and April (except December). They take the form of an informal and friendly open discussion / study session. Come along and share your thoughts\, or simply enjoy listening in. \nBring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy the discussion\, 2-3pm. Everyone is most welcome. £5 members\, £6 non-members \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or use the link below to book online (no booking fee). Diane will also run the sessions on Zoom\, so if you can’t join us in Knutsford\, join us online! \nRead Diane’s Points to Ponder and extracts from the two works. \n \n\n \n \nUse the links below to purchase any of these books and you’ll be supporting the Gaskell Society through our affiliate link. Bookshop.org also champions independent bookshops. URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/knutsford-meeting-january-2025/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,George Eliot,Knutsford,Meeting,The Mill on the Floss,Wives & Daughters,Zoom ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250114T120000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250114T120000 DTSTAMP:20241122T165413Z CREATED:20241025T090324Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241122T165413Z UID:6806-1736856000-1736856000@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Gaskell Society New Year Lunch\, 2025 DESCRIPTION:The Gaskell Society New Year Lunch 2025\n \n \nWe’re thrilled to welcome back members and friends for our wonderfully convivial New Year lunch – a firm favourite in our society’s calendar. Join us at the Cottons Hotel\, Knutsford for a three-course lunch\, including coffee and after-lunch entertainment. \nMembers old and new\, non-members and guests are all most welcome to join us. \nTuesday 14 January 2025\, arrival 12.00 for 12.30. \nMenu\nStarters \nMushroom and Tarragon Soup with crème fraîche \nHeritage Tomato Salad – parsley pistou\, pine nuts and a lemon dressing  \nChicken Liver Paté\, red onion marmalade and toasted brioche  \nMain courses \nChargrilled Chicken BreastThwaites ale braised shallot\, tomato jam\, watercress butter and triple-cooked chunky chips \nSea Bass FilletConfit potato\, tenderstem broccoli\, shrimp beurre noisette and samphire  \nSeasonal Vegetable RisottoFeta\, pea shoots and a radish salad \nDesserts \nSticky Toffee Pudding with toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream  \nTreacle and Orange Tart with vanilla ice cream \nWarm Chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream \nA Selection of Cheeses with Biscuits  \n— \nTea coffee & chocolates \nTickets are £28.50 per person\, payable at a meeting or by cheque.  Please click here to download a booking form\, to print and send with your cheque. Please book by 18 December 2024.  \nIf you book online (using the link below)\, the cost is £30.95 (which includes a booking fee of £2.45 per ticket)\, but this is an instant\, confirmed booking (no need for a booking form)\, saving you time\, printing and postage. Online bookings must be made by 25 December 2024. URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/new-year-lunch-2025/ LOCATION:Cottons Hotel and Spa\, Manchester Road\, Knutsford\, WA16 0SU\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Knutsford,Lunch ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241126T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241126T150000 DTSTAMP:20241004T065453Z CREATED:20240730T075907Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241004T065453Z UID:6542-1732626000-1732633200@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Knutsford Meeting - The Mill on the Floss and the Moorland Cottage 2 DESCRIPTION:Many critics have considered the similarities between these two texts\, thus suggesting one having influenced the other. Eliot’s reputation has been such that there is often an assumption that Gaskell would be influenced by Eliot\, however\, this could not be the case as ‘The Moorland Cottage’ was published ten years before The Mill on the Floss. The question we should ask is: Did Gaskell in any way influence Eliot? \nIn this second session\, Dr Diane Duffy looks at the endings of the two works\, based on the attached extracts. \nOur monthly Knutsford meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month\, between October and April (except December). They take the form of an informal and friendly open discussion / study session. Come along and share your thoughts\, or simply enjoy listening in. \nBring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy the discussion\, 2-3pm. Everyone is most welcome. £5 members\, £6 non-members \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or use the link below to book online (no booking fee). Diane will also run the sessions on Zoom\, so if you can’t join us in Knutsford\, join us online! \nRead Diane’s Points to Ponder and extracts from the two works. \n  \n\n \n \nUse the links below to purchase any of these books and you’ll be supporting the Gaskell Society through our affiliate link. Bookshop.org also champions independent bookshops. URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/knutsford-meeting-november-2024/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,George Eliot,Knutsford,Meeting,The Mill on the Floss,The Moorland Cottage,Zoom ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241029T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241029T150000 DTSTAMP:20241024T160930Z CREATED:20240219T121419Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241024T160930Z UID:5151-1730206800-1730214000@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Knutsford Meeting - The Mill on the Floss and the Moorland Cottage I DESCRIPTION:Many critics have considered the similarities between these two texts\, thus suggesting one having influenced the other. Eliot’s reputation has been such that there is often an assumption that Gaskell would be influenced by Eliot\, however\, this could not be the case as ‘The Moorland Cottage’ was published ten years before The Mill on the Floss. The question we should ask is: Did Gaskell in any way influence Eliot? \nOur monthly Knutsford meetings\, presented by our Chair\, Dr Diane Duffy\, are held on the last Tuesday of each month\, between October and April (except December). They take the form of an informal and friendly open discussion / study session. Come along and share your thoughts\, or simply enjoy listening in. \nBring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion\, 2-3pm. Everyone is most welcome. £5 members\, £6 non-members \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or use the link below to book online (no booking fee). \nDiane will also run the session on Zoom\, so join us online if you can’t join us in Knutsford. \nRead Diane’s Points to Ponder and extracts from the two works. \n\n\n \nUse the links below to purchase any of these books and you’ll be supporting the Gaskell Society through our affiliate link. Bookshop.org also champions independent bookshops. URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/knutsford-meeting-october-2024/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,George Eliot,Knutsford,Meeting,The Mill on the Floss,The Moorland Cottage,Zoom ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240929T104500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240929T120000 DTSTAMP:20240215T160545Z CREATED:20240215T160545Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240215T160545Z UID:5036-1727606700-1727611200@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:The Gaskell Memorial Service 2024 DESCRIPTION:Every year\, on a Sunday close to what would have been Elizabeth Gaskell’s birthday\, we lay flowers on her grave (10.45am) at Brook Street Chapel in Knutsford. This year\, our service actually falls on the day itself\, so our theme is birthdays and celebration. \nWe also lay flowers on the nearby grave of the Gaskell Society’s founder\, the much-missed Joan Leach. We then go into the chapel for a special service\, with readings from Gaskell’s works\,  from 11am. \nYou are most welcome to join us. URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/the-gaskell-memorial-service-2024/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Knutsford ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240921T103000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240921T130000 DTSTAMP:20241002T093720Z CREATED:20240606T103848Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241002T093720Z UID:6376-1726914600-1726923600@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Autumn Meeting 2024 - Moss and Mosses in Elizabeth Gaskell’s Worlds DESCRIPTION:Moss and Mosses in Elizabeth Gaskell’s Worlds\nThis year’s Joan Leach Memorial Lecture will be given by Dr Ingrid Hanson.\n \nIn Mary Barton\, Margaret’s grandfather Job Legh has been out ‘moss-hunting’\, Margaret tells Mary\, and the elderly Alice\, reminiscing about her countryside youth\, says to the girls: \n\n‘Eh\, lasses! ye don’t know what rocks are in Manchester! Gray pieces o’ stone as large as a house\, all covered over wi’ moss of different colours\, some yellow\, some brown’. \n\nThe poetic extract from Ebenezer Elliott that prefaces Chapter Five further suggests the variety of both kind and quality in mosses: \n‘Nor wild-flower decked the rock\, nor moss the well\,\nBut he its name and qualities could tell.’ \nChat Moss\, Moss Brow\, moss to keep a bouquet of flowers fresh\, moss as decoration\, moss marking graves: all these and more appear in Gaskell’s work\, even as water-retaining moss bogs were being drained for building or farming in Manchester\, and working-class botanists like Job Legh were finding\, naming and discussing their local mosses. \nJust a little later\, from the 1860s onwards\, Manchester Museum began to receive and catalogue mosses from across the country and the world\, as part of its extensive herbarium. In this talk Ingrid Hanson discusses the role of mosses – of which there are around 1\,000 varieties (some yellow\, some brown\, some green\, some red) in Britain today – in Gaskell’s Manchester and Gaskell’s work\, tracing out some of the histories of the mossy names\, places and characteristics that would have been familiar to Gaskell and her characters and that are so vital to our climate-changed world today. \nDr Ingrid Hanson is a lecturer in English literature at the University of Manchester\, author of William Morris and the Uses of Violence (2014) and editor of William Morris: Selected Works (OUP 2024). She has published work on literature of violence\, peace (including in relation to Gaskell)\, mourning\, masculinities\, socialism and utopia\, and is currently working on a book about peace and protest as well as an interdisciplinary\, collaborative project on the politics\, aesthetics and histories of urban moss. She has a passion for moss and lichen and has recently discovered the joys of a hand lens \n10.30am – Coffee11am – Moss and Mosses in Elizabeth Gaskell’s Worlds – Dr Ingrid Hanson12noon – Bring your own picnic lunch. Tea/coffee will be available.1pm – Finish We’ll make a recording of this talk available to ticket holders for viewing after the event (we’re sorry we can’t live stream for acoustic reasons).  Book online\, or give us your email address at the meeting and we’ll make sure we send you the necessary link.  Picture: Bob Blaylock\, CC BY-SA 4.0 \, via Wikimedia Commons URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/autumn-meeting-2024/ LOCATION:Knutsford Methodist Church\, Princess Street\, Knutsford\, WA16 6BY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Knutsford,Meeting ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240430T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240430T150000 DTSTAMP:20240410T114646Z CREATED:20230526T092415Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240410T114646Z UID:4550-1714482000-1714489200@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Knutsford Meeting - April 2024 DESCRIPTION:Our Chair\, Dr Diane Duffy will be discussing Sylvia’s Lovers for the 2023-24 Knutsford season. \nGaskell’s only historical novel\, Sylvia’s Lovers is set in the fictional coastal town of Monkshaven\, against a backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. \nSylvia Robson lives a simple enough life on the farm\, when she meets Charlie Kinraid\, a dashing seaman. After their secret engagement\, Kinraid vanishes and Sylvia is left broken-hearted and abandoned. Is her faithful cousin Philip telling the truth? Will his lie be found out before it’s too late? \nPublished in 1863\, Sylvia’s Lovers is one of  Gaskell’s lesser-known novels\, which she described as “the saddest story I ever wrote.” \nIn this\, the last of six sessions\, Diane will be covering Chapters 38-45 (the end of the novel). \nHer discussion points to ponder are here. \nOur monthly Knutsford meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month\, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion\, 2-3pm. Everyone is most welcome. £5 members\, £6 non-members \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or use the link below to book online (no booking fee). \nYou can also join us online\, over Zoom. You’ll receive a link with your ticket.  URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/knutsford-meeting-april-2024/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,Knutsford,Meeting,Sylvia's Lovers,Zoom ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240326T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240326T150000 DTSTAMP:20240130T093512Z CREATED:20230526T092021Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240130T093512Z UID:4548-1711458000-1711465200@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Knutsford Meeting - March 2024 DESCRIPTION:Our Chair\, Dr Diane Duffy will be discussing Sylvia’s Lovers for the 2023-24 Knutsford season. \nGaskell’s only historical novel\, Sylvia’s Lovers is set in the fictional coastal town of Monkshaven\, against a backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. \nSylvia Robson lives a simple enough life on the farm\, when she meets Charlie Kinraid\, a dashing seaman. After their secret engagement\, Kinraid vanishes and Sylvia is left broken-hearted and abandoned. Is her faithful cousin Philip telling the truth? Will his lie be found out before it’s too late? \nPublished in 1863\, Sylvia’s Lovers is one of  Gaskell’s lesser-known novels\, which she described as “the saddest story I ever wrote.” \nIn this\, the fifth of six sessions\, Diane will be covering Chapters 30-37 inclusive. \nRead quotes from the chapters in question. \nRead Diane’s Points to Ponder here.  \nOur monthly Knutsford meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month\, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion\, 2-3pm. Everyone is most welcome. £5 members\, £6 non-members \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or use the link below to book online (no booking fee) \nYou can also join us online\, over Zoom. You’ll receive a link with your ticket.  URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/knutsford-meeting-march-2024/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,Knutsford,Meeting,Sylvia's Lovers,Zoom ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240227T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240227T150000 DTSTAMP:20240130T093616Z CREATED:20230526T091714Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240130T093616Z UID:4544-1709038800-1709046000@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Knutsford Meeting - February 2024 DESCRIPTION:Our Chair\, Dr Diane Duffy will be discussing Sylvia’s Lovers for the 2023-24 Knutsford season. \nGaskell’s only historical novel\, Sylvia’s Lovers is set in the fictional coastal town of Monkshaven\, against a backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. \nSylvia Robson lives a simple enough life on the farm\, when she meets Charlie Kinraid\, a dashing seaman. After their secret engagement\, Kinraid vanishes and Sylvia is left broken-hearted and abandoned. Is her faithful cousin Philip telling the truth? Will his lie be found out before it’s too late? \nPublished in 1863\, Sylvia’s Lovers is one of  Gaskell’s lesser-known novels\, which she described as “the saddest story I ever wrote.” \nIn this\, the fourth of six sessions\, Diane will be covering Chapters 24-29 inclusive. Read Diane’s Points to Ponder here \nYou can also read a selection of quotes from the chapters covered here. \nOur monthly Knutsford meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month\, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion\, 2-3pm. Everyone is most welcome. £5 members\, £6 non-members \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or use the link below to book online (no booking fee). You can also join us online\, over Zoom. You’ll receive a link with your ticket.  URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/knutsford-meeting-february-2024/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,Knutsford,Meeting,Sylvia's Lovers,Zoom ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240130T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240130T150000 DTSTAMP:20240130T093746Z CREATED:20230523T145526Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240130T093746Z UID:4510-1706619600-1706626800@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Knutsford Meeting - January 2024 DESCRIPTION:Our Chair\, Dr Diane Duffy will be discussing Sylvia’s Lovers for the 2023-24 Knutsford season. \nGaskell’s only historical novel\, Sylvia’s Lovers is set in the fictional coastal town of Monkshaven\, against a backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. \nSylvia Robson lives a simple enough life on the farm\, when she meets Charlie Kinraid\, a dashing seaman. After their secret engagement\, Kinraid vanishes and Sylvia is left broken-hearted and abandoned. Is her faithful cousin Philip telling the truth? Will his lie be found out before it’s too late? \nPublished in 1863\, Sylvia’s Lovers is one of  Gaskell’s lesser-known novels\, which she described as “the saddest story I ever wrote.” \nIn this\, the third of six sessions\, Diane will be covering Chapters 16-23 inclusive. \nRead quotes from the chapters in question. \nDownload Diane’s discussion Points to Ponder. \nOur monthly Knutsford meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month\, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion\, 2-3pm. Everyone is most welcome. £5 members\, £6 non-members \nSimply come along and pay on the door\, or use the link below to book online (no booking fee). You can also join us online\, over Zoom. You’ll receive a link with your ticket.  URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/knutsford-meeting-january-2024/ LOCATION:Brook Street Unitarian Chapel\, Adam's Hill\,\, Knutsford\, WA16 8DY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Discussion,Knutsford,Meeting,Sylvia's Lovers,Zoom ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240116T120000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240116T120000 DTSTAMP:20231027T152118Z CREATED:20231027T142014Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231027T152118Z UID:4873-1705406400-1705406400@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:New Year Lunch\, 2024 DESCRIPTION:We’re thrilled to welcome back members and friends for our wonderfully convivial New Year lunch – a firm favourite in our society’s calendar. Join us at the the Cottons Hotel\, Knutsford for a three-course lunch\, including coffee and after-lunch entertainment. \nMembers old and new\, non-members and guests are all most welcome to join us. \nTuesday 16 January 2024\, arrival 12.00 for 12.30. \nMenu\nStarters \nApple & Parsnip Soup \nPrawn Cocktail with marie rose\, gem lettuce\, music bread \nChicken Liver Pate with red onion marmalade\, toasted brioche \nMain courses \nBraised Beef\, served with fondant potato\, fine beans\, roasted carrot\, red wine jus \nPan Roasted Salmon\, served with new potatoes\, market vegetables & white chive wine cream sauce \nButternut Squash Risotto with sage and vegan mozzarella \nDesserts \nSticky Toffee Pudding with toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream \nCitrus Tart with Mascarpone cream \nChocolate Brownie with raspberry sorbet & raspberries \nA selection of cheeses served with biscuits \n— \nTea coffee & chocolates \nTickets are £29.83 per person (which includes a booking fee of £2.33) or £27.50 if paid at a meeting or by cheque. \nIf you’d like to send a cheque in the post\, please click here to download a booking form. \n  URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/new-year-lunch-2024/ LOCATION:Cottons Hotel and Spa\, Manchester Road\, Knutsford\, WA16 0SU\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Knutsford,Lunch ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231128T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231128T150000 DTSTAMP:20231122T161059Z CREATED:20230523T145058Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231122T161059Z UID:4506-1701180000-1701183600@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Online 'Knutsford' Meeting - November 2023 DESCRIPTION:Our Chair\, Dr Diane Duffy will be discussing Sylvia’s Lovers for the 2023-24 Knutsford season. \nGaskell’s only historical novel\, Sylvia’s Lovers is set in the fictional coastal town of Monkshaven\, against a backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. \nSylvia Robson lives a simple enough life on the farm\, when she meets Charlie Kinraid\, a dashing seaman. After their secret engagement\, Kinraid vanishes and Sylvia is left broken-hearted and abandoned. Is her faithful cousin Philip telling the truth? Will his lie be found out before it’s too late? \nPublished in 1863\, Sylvia’s Lovers is one of  Gaskell’s lesser-known novels\, which she described as “the saddest story I ever wrote.” \nIn this\, the second of six sessions\, Diane will be covering Chapters 8-15 inclusive. \nRead quotes from the chapters in question here \nAnd download Diane’s Points to Ponder. \nOur monthly ‘Knutsford’ meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month\, between October and April (except December). £5 members\, £6 non-members \nThis session takes place online over Zoom only. You’ll receive a link with your ticket.  URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/knutsford-meeting-november-2023/ LOCATION:online CATEGORIES:Discussion,Knutsford,Meeting,Sylvia's Lovers,Zoom ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231031T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231031T150000 DTSTAMP:20231031T105052Z CREATED:20230516T155849Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231031T105052Z UID:4431-1698764400-1698764400@gaskellsociety.co.uk SUMMARY:Online "Knutsford" Meeting - October 2023 DESCRIPTION:*** Please note that this event is now online only\, via Zoom.*** \nOur Chair\, Dr Diane Duffy will be discussing Sylvia’s Lovers  for the 2023-24 Knutsford season. \nGaskell’s only historical novel\, Sylvia’s Lovers is set in the fictional coastal town of Monkshaven\, against a backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. \nSylvia Robson lives a simple enough life on the farm\, when she meets Charlie Kinraid\, a dashing seaman. After their secret engagement\, Kinraid vanishes and Sylvia is left broken-hearted and abandoned. Is her faithful cousin Philip telling the truth? Will his lie be found out before it’s too late? \nPublished in 1863\, Sylvia’s Lovers is one of  Gaskell’s lesser-known novels\, which she described as “the saddest story I ever wrote.” \nIn this\, the first of six sessions\, Diane will be covering Chapters 1-7 inclusive. Read her discussion Points to Ponder here.  \nDiane has compiled a list of quotes from the first seven chapters – read it here.   \nYou’ll receive a Zoom link with your ticket.  \nEveryone is most welcome. £5 members\, £6 non-members \n  URL:https://gaskellsociety.co.uk/event/knutsford-meeting-october-2023/ LOCATION:online CATEGORIES:Discussion,Knutsford,Meeting,Sylvia's Lovers,Zoom ORGANIZER;CN="The Gaskell Society":MAILTO:gaskellsociety@gmail.com END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR