Don Hale Blog

                                   The genuine detectives' office at Manchester Town Hall SHERLOCK HOLMES, DYNAMITERS, FOREIGN AGENTS AND ROGUES The perils of old Manchester & London  Report by Don Hale The period shortly before and after the turn of the 19th century coincided with the fictional publications of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who depicted his hero as the super sleuth Sherlock Holmes, and his able assistant Dr Watson.  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - the creator of the Sherlock Holmes character His work was extremely topical, and although at times it was criticised by senior Manchester Detective Jerome Caminada, he often included important references to the ‘Dynamiters’ and ‘Foreign Agents,’ and Holmes regularly pitted his wits against the admirable Inspector Lustrade at the new Scotland Yard.                           ...

Self Education for the Police 1899 - A unique guide to Victorian Policing: Reproduced by Don Hale: Introduction This is a fascinating document unearthed by accident from the archives of my great grandfather’s personal effects, which had lain hidden and unseen for well over 100 years. He was a former soldier who left the services to become a police constable, sergeant, detective sergeant, detective inspector, chief inspector and finally the youngest ever superintendent of Manchester Police. The content of this document is based upon the copy found within the faded notes of Self Education for the Police, which became known as the ‘Bobby’s Bible,’ and contained all the information required for a police officer to do his duty. The unique book contained a host of question and answers, tests and a sort of template so that each officer could be guided into the appropriate course of action. Policing and living costs c1900 Police wages: A police constable around 1900 would earn about £67 per ye...

                                  An old lady newspaper seller Old Manchester & the Industrial Revolution Report by Don Hale. Manchester, like so many other major cities throughout the country was completely transformed by the Industrial Revolution. It led to the rapid construction of canals, railways, housing, and scores of factories - many were built close to rivers and made extensive use of waterpower.   The city soon became a magnet for people seeking accommodation and work. And part of this labour force included many Irish immigrants, who started to arrive in great numbers from about 1852, followed by the Italians in1865, and numerous other foreign workers. The unprecedented growth of cotton mills and the increasing demand for additional labour continued to swell the population of Manchester.  In 1811, the regions census figures showed a population of 79,459; and by 1838 it had more t...

Robert Loraine (pictured above) as John Tanner in George Bernard Shaw's  Man and Superman , produced at the Criterion Theatre, London, on 28 September, 1911 EARLY AVIATORS:  FILM STAR ROBERT LORAINE, MABEL LOVE,  AND SOME WELSH MEMORIES Exclusive report by Don Hale.   During the early days of World War One, and as a raw recruit to the British Army, the world-famous actor Robert Lorraine volunteered to join the newly-formed Royal Flying Corps, where his experience in early aviation often proved invaluable.   He also helped form the early ENSA troop of actors, entertaining the troops in battlefields in France and Belgium. He encouraged fellow members of the RFC and RNAS forces to join in the fun, and eventually helped utilise and launch the careers of many famous performers who also went onto to further fame and fortune. Included within this group at one time or another, were said to be: Ivor Novello, Jack Warner, Billy Cotton, Mervyn Johns, Basil Rathbone, Vernon...

                    Comedian Wilkie Bard as Widow Twanky in Aladdin, c.1906. WILKIE BARD & THE MUSICAL NIGHT WATCHMAN Report by Don Hale The poor old Night Watchmen in the late 1800's often came in for some stick from a variety of sources. And in particular, he was also the butt of many jokes and songs in the ever-popular music hall.  The famous Victorian entertainer Wilkie Bard, who originally hailed from Manchester, was noted for singing a popular monologue about the unfortunate   Manchester Watchman , and for using their exploits as part of his famous music hall act. Heralded as probably one of the great all-time music hall stage performers of his day, Wilkie Bard, was born in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester in 1874. He was actually christened William August Smith - the August being a popular German name at that time. He was a popular Lancashire singer and comedian who told and sang the stories of the day in an amusing st...