Belle Vue (Manchester) Ltd., zoological and pleasure garden proprietors
1916-1981
Archives
Total copies: 1
Records including Executive Board minutes, 1916-1917 (1 volume); accounts, 1934-1935 (2 volumes); journal, 1939 (1 volume); photographs, programmes and posters (mainly photographs) of events, including speedway 1929 and 1949-1950, boxing, wrestling, rugby league, the circus, brass band festivals, the theatre, the zoo, railway carnivals, staff and the site and gardens, all 1940s-1950s; newspaper cuttings scrapbooks, 1929-1960 (9 volumes) covering the above events, and also including football, political meetings, local business functions, holiday camps, Second World War activity, fashion shows, dog shows, stock car racing, band contests and television events.
Related Material:See MS 331.28 M4 for wages book for indoor staff 1861-1875.
There is also a lot of printed material, including programmes and guides, in the Local Studies Library.
Chetham Library also holds an extensive collection.
Place:Manchester/Manchester/Manchester/Lancashire/England
Manchester Metropolitan District/Greater Manchester/England
Title:
Belle Vue (Manchester) Ltd., zoological and pleasure garden proprietors
Date of work:
1916-1981
Reference number:
GB127.M491
Level of description:
Fonds
Includes:
Custodial history:
The zoological and pleasure gardens were started by John Jennison in 1836. The venture remained in the hands of the Jennison family until 1925, when it was sold to Belle Vue (Manchester) Ltd. The site went on to acquire a wide range of facilities, including a hotel, natural history museum, ballroom, Chinese cafe, cinema and amusement park. It also included the King's Hall, which was used for concerts, political conferences, religious meetings and other events. Belle Vue was famous for its firework displays, brass band contests and circus. It also became an important sporting venue. A purpose built Speedway (motorcycle racing) stadium was opened in 1929. Wrestling, starting in 1930, was also popular and major boxing matches were held. Other sporting activities included amateur football, rugby league and stock car racing.
Access restrictions:
Unrestricted
Use restrictions:
Unrestricted
Topics:
Record types:
Manchester Archives and Local Studies
Language:
English
Record number:
7196130