An Edge Hill University student has been awarded funding to launch an exhibition featuring the stories of Southport’s most famous visitors, from author Charles Dickens to the circus ringmaster P.T. Barnum, who inspired Hollywood blockbuster The Greatest Showman.

The display will be showcased at The Atkinson and will focus on the fascinating stories behind the Victorian celebrities who visited the town during the 19th century, which have been rediscovered by Edge Hill student Michelle Caldwell.

Michelle, 44, who lives in Southport, said: “We’ll be celebrating the stories of some of Southport’s most famous faces, as well as highlighting the wider history of the town and its significance in the North West’s Victorian heritage.

“Being a resident of Southport, you feel as though you have a stake in the town. It’s such a lovely place to live and it has beautiful Victorian architecture, and we want this project to revitalise public interest in the town’s rich history.

“Places such as Lord Street, like many small-town high streets, have been hit hard during the pandemic. The majority of Southport’s tourism sector is based on its Victorian heritage, and we hope the exhibition can help to bolster that knowledge and show people how much history there is in this town.”

The project, The Southport Visiter, has been awarded funding by the British Association of Victorian Studies and is named after the town’s local newspaper the Southport Visiter, which was founded in the 19th century as a published list of visitors staying in the town.

One of the most notable figures to visit Southport was author and social critic Charles Dickens, who visited the town to deliver a lecture during his farewell tour of the region less than a year before he passed away in 1870.

Authors Elizabeth Gaskell and poet Oscar Wilde also visited the town, with the latter visiting Southport’s Pavilion and Winter Gardens in August 1884 to deliver a lecture on dress.

Michelle, who is studying MA Nineteenth-Century Studies at Edge Hill, added: “I hope that it will teach people something new about the history of Southport. It’s still considered a relatively new town, as it’s only around 200 years old, but there’s such as rich history that it would be a shame for these stories to be forgotten.”



Dr Laura Eastlake, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader in English Literature, said: “Michelle is a fantastic researcher, and this funding award bears testament to her ability to apply her 19th Century specialism to real-word issues that exist in our society today.

“It explores the legacies that our society has inherited from the 19th Century, from the culture, architecture and the monuments on display in our towns. Michelle questions their place in today’s world, and how we can reflect on Southport’s heritage and history to support the town’s future aims, as it emerges from the pandemic and sets out on the road to recovery.”

The Southport Visiter is scheduled to launch at The Atkinson’s Discovery Box later this year.

Stephen Whittle, Principal Manager at The Atkinson, said: “We are really pleased to be working with Edge Hill University on this project. Michelle’s research is already unearthing some fascinating stories and bringing to light some of Southport’s hidden histories.

“Southport was an important tourist destination in the 19th Century, and it attracted a lot of well-known personalities and celebrities. We are looking forward to seeing new insights and different perspectives on Victorian Southport and to continuing our partnership with the University’s staff and students.”

EHU Nineteen, the University’s research centre for 19th Century studies, is working closely with Southport to support the town in its promotion of its Victorian heritage, in a bid to boost tourism in the town.

MA Nineteenth-Century Studies examines the literature, history, culture and digital humanities of the nineteenth century, with opportunities to participate in field trips to cultural heritage organisations and undertake work-based projects.

Specific aspects of English can also be explored in depth on our MRes Masters by Research, you can train to teach English on our PGCE Secondary English (Age Phase 11-16) with QTS, or gain practical skills in language learning and education on our MA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).

How much money was the funding?, where did it come from and who is it paid to?, how much does it cost to put on an exhibition in the Atkinson and what were the costs of materials?, do you have to pay to see it?. And if you are a 44yr old student studying MA Nineteenth-Century Studies at Edge Hill do you have to pay a fee for courses?, do you get a grant or loan for this that you have to pay back at the end of the course or not if you don’t get a job out of it or earn so much.
I am asking this because I don’t know how this all works .

Originally Posted by MICK/GILLY

How much money was the funding?, where did it come from and who is it paid to?, how much does it cost to put on an exhibition in the Atkinson and what were the costs of materials?, do you have to pay to see it?. And if you are a 44yr old student studying MA Nineteenth-Century Studies at Edge Hill do you have to pay a fee for courses?, do you get a grant or loan for this that you have to pay back at the end of the course or not if you don’t get a job out of it or earn so much.
I am asking this because I don’t know how this all works .

I think you're being disingenuous about your reason for asking these questions. And that's putting it kindly. I think there's something about this event or the principle of these events that you object to, but instead of spitting out what that is you're disguising your disapproval by pretending that it's the funding of the whole thing that's troubling you.

I wish this student all the very best with this and look forward to seeing what she comes up with.

Originally Posted by MICK/GILLY

.
I am asking this because I don’t know how this all works .

I think we've known for some time that matters of education and culture are beyond your comprehension.

So you can’t answer my questions then just spout crap . Nobody asked your opinion and I just want to know these answers and if you can’t answer them then your input is poor. Part of being educated is asking questions and if you are not educated or cultured enough to answer then you should remain ignorant and silent. If anyone does know then tell us and if you don’t then be silent while the grown ups are talking. What is wrong with asking these questions what don’t you like about finding out about this do you think there is anything to hide about the funding, the project or the people concerned, let’s hear it and if you think I am being obtuse asking such questions in such a way then you are correct and if the questions can’t be answered because that’s not what you want to hear then all the more reason for asking them. Uneducated and uncultured am I, what do you know you insulting prick.

We woke the jacka$$ up Again

Originally Posted by MICK/GILLY

So you can’t answer my questions then just spout crap . Nobody asked your opinion and I just want to know these answers and if you can’t answer them then your input is poor. Part of being educated is asking questions and if you are not educated or cultured enough to answer then you should remain ignorant and silent. If anyone does know then tell us and if you don’t then be silent while the grown ups are talking. What is wrong with asking these questions what don’t you like about finding out about this do you think there is anything to hide about the funding, the project or the people concerned, let’s hear it and if you think I am being obtuse asking such questions in such a way then you are correct and if the questions can’t be answered because that’s not what you want to hear then all the more reason for asking them. Uneducated and uncultured am I, what do you know you insulting prick.

We woke the jacka$$ up Again

And another literary masterpiece from Mick. Thick as pig ****.

Originally Posted by MICK/GILLY

So you can’t answer my questions then just spout crap . Nobody asked your opinion and I just want to know these answers and if you can’t answer them then your input is poor. Part of being educated is asking questions and if you are not educated or cultured enough to answer then you should remain ignorant and silent. If anyone does know then tell us and if you don’t then be silent while the grown ups are talking. What is wrong with asking these questions what don’t you like about finding out about this do you think there is anything to hide about the funding, the project or the people concerned, let’s hear it and if you think I am being obtuse asking such questions in such a way then you are correct and if the questions can’t be answered because that’s not what you want to hear then all the more reason for asking them. Uneducated and uncultured am I, what do you know you insulting prick.

We woke the jacka$$ up Again

Oh, so you asked numerous questions but you weren't asking me? As you didn't state that you didn't want me to reply how was I supposed to know that? We can now add your literacy skills to your list of ignorance.
I don't know the answer to your questions and I don't care because even if it was entirely tax payer funded I'd be 100% in agreement with it. The more funding for education and culture the better.
Now you do seem capable of using the internet so maybe use a search engine or fire off a few emails and find out for yourself.

Originally Posted by donkey22

And another literary masterpiece from Mick. Thick as pig ****.

And another one liner from the jacka$$ including an insult, I am surprised you dare .

Originally Posted by salus.populi

Oh, so you asked numerous questions but you weren't asking me? As you didn't state that you didn't want me to reply how was I supposed to know that? We can now add your literacy skills to your list of ignorance.
I don't know the answer to your questions and I don't care because even if it was entirely tax payer funded I'd be 100% in agreement with it. The more funding for education and culture the better.
Now you do seem capable of using the internet so maybe use a search engine or fire off a few emails and find out for yourself.

If you can read properly you should see that I don’t want your OPINIONS on my questions .. I want answers to them and if you can’t answer them best to just keep quiet .

It’s no good saying you support this kind of thing just to appear cultured and educated and using my questions to imply that I am thick like you both. You I have lived in this town 57 yrs and know enough about it’s history to write a book myself and could even get it printed in big letters for you both.

And as for salus and Jacka$$ .
Don’t YOU also want to know how much the tickets are for this and when it’s on, no you don’t do you, in fact saying you support it and going to see it is two different things paid or free, you never had any intention of seeing it in fact it had never crossed your little minds to actually go and see this “culture” or any other, the last time you were in there was on a school trip or to keep out of the cold, you are both so full of shat, and it’s easy for the grown ups to see but your so thick full of abuse and nothing else your childlike minds can’t see that.

Still nobody has answered my questions .

Originally Posted by MICK/GILLY

If you can read properly you should see that I don’t want your OPINIONS on my questions .. I want answers to them and if you can’t answer them best to just keep quiet .

It’s no good saying you support this kind of thing just to appear cultured and educated and using my questions to imply that I am thick like you both. You I have lived in this town 57 yrs and know enough about it’s history to write a book myself and could even get it printed in big letters for you both.

And as for salus and Jacka$$ .
Don’t YOU also want to know how much the tickets are for this and when it’s on, no you don’t do you, in fact saying you support it and going to see it is two different things paid or free, you never had any intention of seeing it in fact it had never crossed your little minds to actually go and see this “culture” or any other, the last time you were in there was on a school trip or to keep out of the cold, you are both so full of shat, and it’s easy for the grown ups to see but your so thick full of abuse and nothing else your childlike minds can’t see that.
0
Still nobody has answered my questions .

It's a public forum, I'll reply if I want to.
Exhibitions in the Atkinson are free to view. I visit regularly.

Anyone was invited to reply, anyone that can read can see that, it’s not all about you, what was the last exhibition that you went to and will you be going to this one, if you go often then why don’t you know they are not all free or do you support culture so much you only go to the free ones , the star wars one with collectors figures out of some kids bedroom that was on a while ago doesn’t count as culture you know .

"Nobody asked your opinion"
"Anyone was invited to reply"

Make your mind up.

Read it again nob, nobody asked your or anyones opinion on my question, the content or validation of it , everyone was invited to reply, even you numbnuts .
If you can’t comprehend the obvious then stop showing yourself up .

Originally Posted by abbeyroad

I think you're being disingenuous about your reason for asking these questions. And that's putting it kindly. I think there's something about this event or the principle of these events that you object to, but instead of spitting out what that is you're disguising your disapproval by pretending that it's the funding of the whole thing that's troubling you.

I wish this student all the very best with this and look forward to seeing what she comes up with.

The best answer so far was from this lady, she was totally correct in her comprehension of my question and took care to put her assumptions kindly and using sarcasm in a high brow educated way implying I am pretentious and object to the culture of it all while being careful to appear to be interested enough to hear about it or at best view this exhibition.
But still nobody has answered my questions .

And on the subject of the Southport visiter I was interested in buying a copy this week for the first time in at least 15 yrs and took a guess at what the price might be nowerdays, I guessed at 70 p then I thought no it’s probably a pound. I got to the shop and found the price was both my guesses added together. ( for salus and Jacka$$ that’s £1.70 ) so I put it back down, it was thinner than the free papers .

Originally Posted by MICK/GILLY

Read it again nob, nobody asked your or anyones opinion on my question, the content or validation of it , everyone was invited to reply, even you numbnuts .
If you can’t comprehend the obvious then stop showing yourself up .

Can’t even get his insults right.
For example- “You’re a completely illiterate knobhead”.

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/di...glish/knobhead