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Posted by Editor on 20th August 2010 at 04:25 PM
Video: Queen Victoria's 1851 Worsley visit debunked

by Tony Flynn and Tom Rodgers

In this video we talk to local history expert and author Glen Atkinson, who sets the record straight about the great Queen Victoria's visit to Worsley in 1851.

Glen dispels several myths about her visit, a popular one being that she alighted from the Royal barge at the Packet House steps. It's not true, Queen Victoria's landing place in Salford was actually past the present road bridge where a special ornate canopy had been erected for her.

It is fascinating to hear Glen's stories and anecdotes about the truth behind the visit.

Have you heard the tale of how several horses - who were pulling the barge from Patricroft - startled by the cheering crowds and fell into the water, also the unfortunate fate that befell the Duke of Wellington as he gallantly attempted to help the Queen ashore.

Did you know that Nasymth the inventor of the Steam Hammer who had his engineering works in Patricroft was also a keen astronomer and had actually taken photographs of the moon?

James Naysmyth was wealthy engineer who was summoned to Worsley New Hall by the Queen who too had an interest in astonomy, she wished to see his drawings and photographs.

Nasmyth had a lifelong interest in astronomy and constructed a 20-inch reflecting telescope in the grounds of his home in Patricroft in Manchester.

He used the telescope to observe the Moon’s surface and make drawings, calculating the height of lunar features by the length of their shadows.

The resulting photographs produced better results than could be achieved at the time by direct lunar photography. Nasmyth photographed a whole series of his lunar models which were used to illustrate a book, ‘The Moon’, that he published with James Carpenter in 1871.

Were you aware that during Victoria's state visit over 150 years ago - at great expense, no less - the exterior of Worsley Old Hall was illuminated with electricity, and the glow could be seen all the way over in Eccles? Not much nowadays, but in a time when none of the surrounding houses had electricity at all, it must have been an astounding sight.


Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by shianna55 ( member )  1st January 2011
What about the more recent visit of a Monarch? My dad George Doyle was presented to Queen Elizabeth when she came to Worsley to open something to do with the Civic Trust there?? Yes it did happen I have , well mam has a picture or two of the visit.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  13th September 2010
I have watched it several times and didn't feel it was badly done, should imagine filming in Worsley next to a main road would give some problems, main thing is, it was a very enjoyable video and informative.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  11th September 2010
Great stuff and very informative BUT It was very hard to view with all the background noise. It gave me a headache. How about Salfordonline invest in some better quality equipment and do the job properly? I'm not knocking the interviewer or cameraman but if you are going to put all that effort into it then do it right. It will be worth it. A Salfordonline appreciator.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by allan hayward ( member )  20th August 2010
GREAT STUFF GUYS !

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  20th August 2010
What a cracking video, that Glen Atkinson is a right character, funny but informative, use him again, him and Flynn'y make a good double act, in the best possible way. How many knew Nasymth was an astronomer and photographer all those years ago?. Keep 'em coming great stuff.

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