One of the creative spirits behind the popular Weaver Words festival in Frodsham has collaborated on a new book of poems and images featuring Salford Quays and the Manchester Ship Canal.
The two North West landmarks come under the spotlight in the new collection by Cheshire writer Lynn Pegler and Salford photographer Mike Poloway.
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Salford Quays Unlocked – Voices of Manchester Docks takes the reader on a historical journey. It starts in 1887 with the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal through to the docks’ closure a century later and finally its successful reincarnation as the Quays and MediaCity.
Artist LS Lowry, canal navvies, a Tornado pilot and BBC producer are just a few of the characters who demand to be heard in this unusual and engaging collection of poetic reportage.
Lynn, who lives in Crowton near Frodsham and is one of the main organisers of Weaver Words, started writing the poems as part of her final portfolio for a masters degree in creative writing at Manchester Metropolitan University, headed up by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.
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A former newspaper journalist, she runs PR consultancy Pegler Communications and combines a love of drama, geography and local history among the book’s pages, which are packed with unusual characters and surprising images.
She said: “Salford Quays has an amazing story to tell. It’s about entrepreneurship, vision, guts and determination. I hope I have managed to find authentic voices of real and imaginary characters who weave through my own personal interpretation of events.
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“When I was writing the poems, I always envisioned them sitting side by side with illustrations. Mike Poloway’s wonderful new images, along with evocative old black and white dock photos, embellish the words with enhanced emotion.”
The book will be launched with a multi-media performance of selected poems at the Weaver Words Literature Festival in Frodsham on Sunday, April 10. The gala celebration evening, which starts at 7.30pm, includes appearances from comedian John Gorman and modern folk band Jaywalkers.alford Quays Unlocked is published by Blurb, priced £11.99. It is available online, at the Lowry Centre shop and other selected bookstores and gift shops.
Tickets for the gala celebration evening and other Weaver Words events are available online www.weaverwords.org.uk or call the box office on 0845 557 7469.
