Don Hale Blog

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

                            Martin Green won gold at the half-marathon championships NWRRC athletes struck gold at half-marathon championships Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. Athletes from NWRRC claimed seven prestigious awards, including five gold medals last weekend, at the North Wales virtual half-marathon championship event. Run as individuals on their own preferred local courses due to Covid-19 restrictions, the team of nine, all celebrated with an unexpected bag-full of medals, and some excellent finishing times, despite often competing on waterlogged trails, or on other challenging routes, in wet and windy weather conditions.                                                           Carla Green - another gold medal winner Golden couple  Martin and Carla Green  were the pick of the runners with Martin finishing 2nd overall and 1st in his M45 age category in 1 hr 13 mins 49 secs; whilst Carla was 20th overall, 2nd female runner, and 1st F45 athlete in 1.34.00, beating

THE LOSS OF HMS CONWAY During the early morning of 14 th  April 1953, HMS Conway, a large 19 th  century wooden battleship used for the training and education of cadets, all hoping to become officers in the Merchant and Royal Navy, was driven ashore and wrecked by some exceptionally strong tides, and eventually broke her back in the Menai Strait.  Archive report by Don Hale.   This in fact, was the second attempt to move such a large and difficult ship from her relatively safe berth at Bangor, and head back to Birkenhead for a refit. A similar attempt the day before had been aborted due to extreme difficulties, and the assessment that it was always going to be a ‘great risk.’  HMS Conway was considered to be the largest ever ship to attempt to pass through this notoriously demanding stretch of swirling waters known as the ‘Swellies, that separates Anglesey from the mainland, and included a challenging passage under two major bridges. The vessel had an enormous draft of 22 feet, combine

Some of the NWRRC club members who took part in the Christmas Handicap race from Llandudno promenade to the Welcome sign last Sunday. Christmas Handicap success for North Wales runners Report by Don Hale. Photographs courtesy of Tom Roberts, Mark Jessett and John Hatton. North Wales Road Runners staged their annual Christmas Handicap race on Llandudno promenade last Sunday morning with 19 athletes competing in a unique social-distancing, time-trial type event, due to extensive Covid-19 restrictions now affecting all live sporting events. Partially sighted runner Daniel Owens with his guide Carla Green together with a magnificent rainbow in the background. It was the first time in many years that this event has been run along the promenade to the Welcome sign and back, after previously following a less-hillier climb from West Shore, and up to and around the old gun sites. The race was held in relatively mild conditions, and fortunately included a brief window within the showery weather,