An Event celebrating the radical history of Stevenson Square through Mancunian women past and present is taking place this Saturday.

Historically, Stevenson Square was declared the meeting point for protest marches, political speeches and newspaper readings.


 Many of the city’s most radical figures have been its women and this weekend’s event is part of Creative Tourist’s ‘Wonder Women’ month long celebration.


 

Hayley Flynn, National Trust’s City Curator said, “The National Trust aims to promote the protection and enjoyment of special places in the city and currently is testing a number of ways to do this. The Ladies Room is one of these projects, a unique event aimed at inspiring thought, audience participation and creativity with a variety of discussions and entertainment on offer throughout the day.”


The long boarded over underground toilets and bus laybys in the centre of Stevenson Square will become the focal point of a day long programme of events in which people are invited to question the status of the square as a social space, its heritage values, and through the square’s usage during The Ladies’ Room it begs the question – how can we make better use of the square?

 

The programme includes a panel discussion on Women in the Media, a Northern Quarter walking tour, an all-female contemporary choir performance on the rooftop terrace, live music and ‘Whispers in the Parlour Room’- a discussion drawing on the idea that women in the past used to meet in secret, mainly in parlours, tearooms and WCs of Stevenson Square, to converse.  There will be the creation of a pop up park on the day as well as opening up of the former well known Koffee Pot site.

 

Speakers include Editor of The Northerner ( The Guardian), Helen Pidd, Hannah Barker, Head of History at Manchester University and Hayley Flynn, National Trust’s City Curator amongst others.

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