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.                                   Famous Manchester detective Jerome Caminada By this time, London could also boast of a unique police riverboat force, incorporated within the main city

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 than doubled to 181,708. It continued to increase, reaching 303,382 just thirteen years later i

                                 French pilot Louis Paulhan LONDON TO MANCHESTER – DAILY MAIL AIR RACE 1910:  Two amazing flying-machines competed for £10,000 prize money Report by Don Hale. On 28th April 1910, and after more than four years of prompting by the public and press, two intrepid pioneer flyers, an Englishman Claude Grahame-White, and a French rival, Louis Paulhan, fuelled the country’s enthusiasm for aviation racing, by taking part in an exciting challenge, flying from London to Manchester in an attempt to win an incredible £10,000 prize offered by Daily Mail newspaper proprietor Lord Northcliffe.                                                         Louis Paulhan Paulhan and Grahame-White were thrust into direct competition and the previous afternoon, and very late in the day, they had begun their mad-dash attempt to reach Manchester, flying high over the exposed tracks of the London & North Western Railway Company, closely following the route to the North West.  Al

Newborough Forest won the virtual World Cup Parkrun Final against North Wales rivals Archive report by Don Hale. Flashback story to earlier in 2020. The picturesque beauty spot of Newborough Forest on Anglesey finally won the epic local derby Parkrun battle over their North Wales rivals Conwy earlier in 2020 to win the top global tourism prize, with both teams recording a record number of votes. In a dramatic 24-hour final staged online, Newborough led for most of the way, and backed by tremendous Island support, fully deserved their victory. With this inaugural, virtual running competition, which attracted 24 teams worldwide from a variety of tourist locations based in Australia, Germany, Holland, Norway, and from all around the UK, it seemed quite bizarre, and perhaps a shade unfortunate that two teams situated just 30-miles apart in scenic North Wales, should meet in the final.                                                         Images from Newborough Parkrun It is however, perh

THE DAY THE WORLD CHANGED AN INCREDIBLE PERSONAL STORY WITH EXCLUSIVE PHOTOGRAPHS ABOUT THE TWIN TOWERS’ ATTACK:   *READ THIS SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE BOOK: 9/11 GROUND ZERO: ENGLISHMEN IN NEW YORK - AFTERMATH.    Don Hale reports on one of the world’s most dramatic terrorist attacks ever. PLEASE SEE THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE: IT IS LESS THAN 3 MINS BUT IT MIGHT CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND GIVE YOU AN INSIGHT INTO THIS TERRIBLE ATTROCITY WHICH TOOK THE LIVES OF SO MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE: THE DAY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD - 9/11 Ground Zero https://youtu.be/xj17ZHGzuOM via @YouTube https://www.amazon.co.uk/11-Ground-Zero-Englishmen-Aftermath/dp/1517098459/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=9%2F11+dr+sam+allen&qid=1631284636&sr=8-3 Exactly 20-years ago, I was contacted by my friend Dr Sam Allen, a well-known, and highly-respected doctor, and a global specialist on highly infectious diseases. I have known Sam for about 40-years, and we both ran for the same Derbyshire athletics club in Matlock, when I was editor