In March 1807 the Parliamentary Act to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire came into force. For almost 20 years before that, the people of Manchester had been showing their opposition to slavery. To mark the 200^th anniversary of the Parliamentary Act to abolish slavery a number of events are being organised both nationally and across the city which schools can get involved in.

Below are details of various projects and schemes that schools can become involved in.  Contact details for each are given below, or contact Brian Holmes at Manchester Education Partnership.

Manchester City Council is offering grants of up to £400 for commemorative, educational or historical events, activities and projects. Grants of up to £3,000 are available for exceptional, large-scale events, activities or projects that involve whole neighbourhoods or ward-wide participation. We want to encourage people to explore the impact of slavery and the slave trade, possibly looking at how it has affected people, communities or the development of Manchester itself. Applications will also be considered for events, activities or projects that highlight or relate to modern- day slavery, such as forced or bonded labour, migrant and child labour. Applications must be from Manchester residents and must take place between 1 March and 31 August 2007. For an application pack or further information contact David Hilton. 

Details available from the  City Council Website - www.manchester.gov.uk/voluntary/grants/abolition/
Contact:
David Hilton
Manchester City Council
Voluntary Sector Policy and Grants
Room 3027, Level 3
Town Hall Extension, Chief Executive's Department
PO Box 532, Town Hall
MANCHESTER, M60 2LA

0161 234 3016
email: voluntary.sector.grants@manchester.gov.uk

‘Set All Free’: This is a project being coordinated by churches nationally and, in Manchester. The main project is ‘Free for all’, an interactive drama project in conjunction with the Big Theatre Company. This runs from 26^th February to 1^st March and culminates with a drama performance from the schools involved on Friday 2^nd March. Involvement in the ‘Free for all’ will cost schools £5 per pupil. If the cost is prohibitive, it is possible for schools to take pupils to see the drama performance on 2^nd March for free, as members of the audience but this will need to be booked through Pam Elliott, Education Officer.  In addition, after Easter, the cathedral is offering a one hour lesson about the abolition of slavery for upper KS2/ lower KS3, with an opportunity to see the Exhibition on Thomas Clarkson, abolitionist.

For more detail, link to www.setallfree.me.uk and www.setallfree.net

Manchester Museum:  Revealing Histories
The museum is organising a number of Revealing Histories events, some of which will involve schools. They are working on a trail around the museum that will highlight objects with a connection to the slave trade and raise questions for debate. There is also a performance, This Accursed Thing involving 6 characters (curator, abolitionist, freed slave, mill worker, African chief, slave trader) that tells the story of Manchester’s links to the trade and stimulates discussion on the issues. The trail will be available from 23^rd March and the following week there is a KS3 performance to 2 local high schools. It is hoped to offer the performance again later in the year.

Contact:
Pete Brown, Head of Learning and Interpretation
Manchester Museum
www.manchester.ac.uk/museum
0161 275 8767


Manchester Museum of Science and Industry: Revealing Histories
Under the project Revealing Histories, there will an exhibition on the weekend of 24 and 25 March. It will comprise a display of key objects relating to abolition and Manchester and will include a performance poet engaging with visitors.

Contact:
0161 833 0027
www.msim.org.uk


Maritime Museum, Liverpool: Transatlantic Slave Gallery
This museum has a transatlantic slave gallery as a major exhibit and is opening an International Slavery Museum in August 2007

Contact:
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime


Understanding Slavery:
This project is focused mainly on Key Stage 3 with lots of useful resources, materials and guidance for schools.

Link:
www.understandingslavery.com


Development Education Project, Didsbury:
The Development Education Project in Didsbury has a large range of resources for schools covering many topics including the abolition of the slave trade.

Contact:
Anne Strachan
Project Manager, Development Education Project
Laurel Cottage, c/o MMU
799 Wilmslow Rd
Didsbury
Manchester
M20 2RR
Tel:  0161 921 8013 Fax: 0161 921 8010
anne@dep.org.uk
www.dep.org.uk


Brian Holmes
Associate Advisor, Manchester Education Partnership
Fujitsu Tower, 2nd Floor
Wenlock Way
West Gorton
Mancheseter, M12 5DR

07711 658 738
bholmes454@btineternet.com