Charity Book Launch Brings a Century of Transport Memories to Life
A wealth of memories from the Greater Manchester transport network will be made public for the first time on Wednesday 28th April, when Stagecoach Manchester’s region-wide memorabilia book “Stagecoach: Celebrating 100 Years of Princess Road” is launched.
The book, created to celebrate the centenary of the Princess Road depot traces the history of the last century of transport around Manchester and how the region has evolved in pictorial form. The first copies will be officially unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Alison Firth at 1100 hours at the Manchester Museum of Transport, Boyle Street, Cheetham.
Also present at the launch will be the Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester, Mark Threapleton and the many contributors which made this project possible. Members of the public are also invited to attend and become among the first purchasers. There will also be an opportunity to speak to the contributors in person.
Profits from the book will go towards the company’s nominated charity Manchester Young Lives, who are based near the depot itself. The charity offers youth work, educational and training programmes to children and young people in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Manchester.
By tracing the centenary of the Princess Road depot, Stagecoach Manchester aims to create a lasting legacy in the area. Following an appeal from local press, the company was inundated with submissions when local people opened up their private photo albums for the project last year.
Contributors:
Among the contributors was Hazel Grove resident Edna Power, who donated a photo of her father Mr Robert John Maun, seen on tram number 1007 prior to it going out of service in 1949. He held the position of Chief Fire Officer with Manchester Corporation.
Eric Herbert of Urmston also donated a photo of his mother alongside a team of cleaners who kept the trams and buses in tip-top condition, and played a huge part in keeping them running during the Manchester blitz.
Mark Threapleton said that the book was a private history through the eyes of the people. “Many technical books have been written about the transport network but “Stagecoach: Celebrating 100 Years of Princess Road” tells a pictorial story of how the depot and the vehicles it has housed over the past century, alongside real photos from real people to whom the depot, its buses and trams, have meant so much over the years.”
The book will go on sale from the 28 April, priced £7.00 with all proceeds going to Manchester Young Lives. You can order from Stagecoach Manchester on 0161 273 3377, or from an eBay shop, as well as selected independent bookshops throughout the centre of Manchester. Details can be found online on www.stagecoachbus.com/manchester.
For those wishing to attend the public launch, The Museum of Transport is well connected by public transport with frequent bus services to and from the city centre of Manchester. Free admission is available for all present at the launch tomorrow till midday.
