Time for a fitting and democratic tribute to Peterloo

On Sunday Cllr Mary Di Mauro and I represented the Manchester Liberal Democrats at the Peterloo Memorial rally. There was a very good turnout at the Rally to remember those that were killed and injured during the Peterloo Massacre. During the brief but moving service the names of those that were killed were read out and a flower was laid in their name at the foot of a temporary memorial. 

The Manchester Liberal Democrats are supporting the Peterloo Memorial Campaign for a prominent, explanatory and respectful monument to this hugely significant event in the fight for democracy. At the last full Council meeting I raised objections to Manchester City Council's plans to commemorate Peterloo with a set of Gates blocking off Library Walk. I asked the Leader of the Council to abandon the idea and instead to work with campaigners and residents to find a fitting tribute.  I said that it is vitally important that there is democratic involvement in marking this significant event in our struggle for democracy.  I said the Leader should consider holding a memorial design competition and ensure the public are involved throughout the process. I called for a detailed design brief to be worked up to ensure that the memorial is sited in a prominent location, that it is informative of what happened and it is respectful of those people that gave their lives. 

It now appears that the Council have done a U-Turn on their plans for commemoration gates. Sadly though the Council is not planning to make this a democratic process. The decision to commission the memorial will be made by just three Labour Councillors: Cllr Leese, Cllr R. Battle and Cllr Karney with two council officers acting in an advisory role. 

Manchester Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign alongside Peterloo campaigners and others for a fitting and democratic Peterloo memorial.

Time Capsule at Central Library

 On Thursday I was delighted to be able to attend the a ceremony in Central Library (half way through refurbishment!) to announce the winners of the Time Capsule Competition for Manchester School Children. Children were asked to suggest an object that would give children in 2092 an idea of what it was like to be a child in 2012. There were eleven winners from schools across the City and they each got the opportunity to place their suggested item in the capsule and receive a cash prize for them and their school from the sponsors. The Time capsule will be buried under Library Walk for 80 years.

Well Done to Stanley from Chorlton CoE School who suggested putting a Manchester United and Manchester City shirt in the capsule because "it shows the love and passion for football in Manchester."








Below are some photos of other winning entries and the refurbishment work: