Brian Groom
@groomb.bsky.social
Ex-Financial Times Assistant Editor. Ex-editor Scotland on Sunday. Author of 'Made in Manchester' and 'Northerners: A History'. 'These Isles' due Feb 2026.
Best Friends on a Night Out, painting by Lucy Manfredi (b. 1974).
November 20, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Best Friends on a Night Out, painting by Lucy Manfredi (b. 1974).
Manchester, 1964, photo by Shirley Baker.
November 20, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Manchester, 1964, photo by Shirley Baker.
Ribblehead Viaduct, Yorkshire, photo by landscape photographer Paula Beaumont.
November 20, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Ribblehead Viaduct, Yorkshire, photo by landscape photographer Paula Beaumont.
The Pineapple Inn, Stockport, painting by James Downie (b. 1949). #NorthernArt
November 20, 2025 at 8:25 AM
The Pineapple Inn, Stockport, painting by James Downie (b. 1949). #NorthernArt
Farm labourers, Ireland, c.1857, attributed to Augusta Crofton, pioneering photographer from Roscommon.
November 19, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Farm labourers, Ireland, c.1857, attributed to Augusta Crofton, pioneering photographer from Roscommon.
Afternoon walk, Greenfield, Saddleworth.
November 19, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Afternoon walk, Greenfield, Saddleworth.
Tenements, Anderston, Glasgow, 1964, painting by Herbert Whone (1925-2011), artist and violinist. Born in Bingley, music education in Manchester, became deputy leader of Scottish National Orchestra.
November 19, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Tenements, Anderston, Glasgow, 1964, painting by Herbert Whone (1925-2011), artist and violinist. Born in Bingley, music education in Manchester, became deputy leader of Scottish National Orchestra.
The Old Royal Exchange, Cross Street, Manchester, looking towards the corner with Market Street, late 19th or early 20th century (Archives+).
November 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
The Old Royal Exchange, Cross Street, Manchester, looking towards the corner with Market Street, late 19th or early 20th century (Archives+).
The Engine Driver, Newcastle upon Tyne, by Edgar G. Lee, 1860-1915 (Northumberland Archives).
November 19, 2025 at 8:56 AM
The Engine Driver, Newcastle upon Tyne, by Edgar G. Lee, 1860-1915 (Northumberland Archives).
Union Hotel, Manchester, 1974, photo by Martin Parr (Magnum).
November 19, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Union Hotel, Manchester, 1974, photo by Martin Parr (Magnum).
Lancashire Bridge, Stockport, late 19th century.
November 19, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Lancashire Bridge, Stockport, late 19th century.
Yorkshire author Phyllis Bentley was born in Halifax on this day 1894. Her most famous novel Inheritance (1932), telling the Oldroyd family's story, was serialised by Granada in 1967, starring John Thaw and James Bolam. Turned ‘there’s trouble at th’mill’ into a catchphrase.
November 19, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Yorkshire author Phyllis Bentley was born in Halifax on this day 1894. Her most famous novel Inheritance (1932), telling the Oldroyd family's story, was serialised by Granada in 1967, starring John Thaw and James Bolam. Turned ‘there’s trouble at th’mill’ into a catchphrase.
Evacuees in Montgomeryshire, Wales, 9 September 1939, photo by Geoff Charles, 1909-2002 (National Library of Wales).
November 18, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Evacuees in Montgomeryshire, Wales, 9 September 1939, photo by Geoff Charles, 1909-2002 (National Library of Wales).
Shades of Evening, 1904, painting by Mildred Anne Butler, Irish artist, 1858-1941 (National Gallery of Ireland). #WomensArt
November 18, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Shades of Evening, 1904, painting by Mildred Anne Butler, Irish artist, 1858-1941 (National Gallery of Ireland). #WomensArt
Miner’s daughter carries a young girl in her arms during the 1921 national coal strike, photo by Hal Morey, American photographer.
November 18, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Miner’s daughter carries a young girl in her arms during the 1921 national coal strike, photo by Hal Morey, American photographer.
Wet Saturday Afternoon, painting by Bob Richardson (b.1938 in Salford). #NorthernArt
November 18, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Wet Saturday Afternoon, painting by Bob Richardson (b.1938 in Salford). #NorthernArt
Fishergate, Preston, mid-20th century.
November 18, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Fishergate, Preston, mid-20th century.
Bamburgh Castle First Light, photo by Emma Rothera.
November 18, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Bamburgh Castle First Light, photo by Emma Rothera.
'Made in Manchester' is a top twenty Amazon bestseller in British Historical Social & Urban History Biographies.
November 17, 2025 at 6:15 PM
'Made in Manchester' is a top twenty Amazon bestseller in British Historical Social & Urban History Biographies.
Suffragettes in London's Hyde Park, 1908, photo by Scottish photographer Christina Broom (1862-1939), the UK's first female press photographer, who documented the women's suffrage movement.
November 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Suffragettes in London's Hyde Park, 1908, photo by Scottish photographer Christina Broom (1862-1939), the UK's first female press photographer, who documented the women's suffrage movement.
Fun and Games, painting by Nick Holly, Welsh artist from Swansea (b.1968).
November 17, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Fun and Games, painting by Nick Holly, Welsh artist from Swansea (b.1968).
Sewing machinists at work inside the Tootal clothing factory in Manchester, 1955 (Picture Post/Getty).
November 17, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Sewing machinists at work inside the Tootal clothing factory in Manchester, 1955 (Picture Post/Getty).
North of England, 1965, photo by John Bulmer.
November 17, 2025 at 8:11 AM
North of England, 1965, photo by John Bulmer.
Two Women, Nelson, Lancashire, 1975, by Daniel Meadows.
November 17, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Two Women, Nelson, Lancashire, 1975, by Daniel Meadows.
Welsh social reformer Robert Owen died on this day 1858, aged 86. At 21, became manager of Manchester's Piccadilly Mill, where he ran an enlightened regime, joined the Literary and Philosophical Society. Later carried the principles into model community at New Lanark, Scotland.
November 17, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Welsh social reformer Robert Owen died on this day 1858, aged 86. At 21, became manager of Manchester's Piccadilly Mill, where he ran an enlightened regime, joined the Literary and Philosophical Society. Later carried the principles into model community at New Lanark, Scotland.