I is for ......

Imperial War Museum North

but I could not blip it as well as Ian

I have gone for something a little more contentious - Immigration! and not just Irish.

Way back there were the Italians. The Romans built a fort on a hill by the River Irwell in about 80AD. they called it Mamuciam - latin for "a breast shaped hill" (No, I am not joking!!)

After the Romans left there were other overseas immigrants namely Angles, Danes, Saxons and then Normans. All assimilated into the local population over a long period of time.

From the 11th to the 13th Century Manchester grew from a village to a town and the population increased with growth of trade and commerce.

At the begining of the 18th Century the population of Manchester was about 10,000.

Then OMG!!! THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.
A new city was born and by the end of the century the population was 70,000!!!

We are a friendly bunch in Manchester
but this was not all due to good loving ;-))

Immigrants came from the countryside of England, from Ireland, Jews came escaping persecution in eastern europe, Arab traders came, Italian craftsmen (and women) came, Greeks, Germans, Poles and all contributed to the growth of the city.

More recently there have been waves of Chinese, Caribbean, Asian, African, and Eastern European immigrants and the largest immigrant population of all - the students!

Ironically the area known as little Ireland (between the railwayline and River Medlock, to the side of Oxford Road) is now the site of a massive new student accomodation block opening in September this year.

In the word of the song.....
The more things seem to change, the more they stay the same

So I say thank you to all the immigrants who have contributed to this great city.
We have a wonderful culturally diverse, tolerant community and lots and lots of great places to EAT.

Feel the love and have a great weekend x

more manchester