From the 11th to 24th February 1994, dozens of people physically defended a patch of wildlife from the Council and its bulldozers. They were seeking to protect Abbey Pond, in Hulme, near the University. They declared the “Republic of Newtonia.”
Every day from 11th to 24th February 2022, Manchester Climate Monthly will post memories of that time, and documents that describe what happened. Below is an index page for the posts.
On Thursday 24th February, an online meeting [book here] will bring together people who were there, in the snow and sleet, with today’s defenders of green spaces (because the Council and its bulldozers are still on the prowl).
If you were at the Republic of Newtonia, and want to share your memories, please get in touch – mcmonthly@gmail.com
| Fri 11th Feb | Occupying the site |
| Sat 12th Feb | Candelit vigil |
| Sun 13th Feb | Mad Planners Tea Party |
| Mon 14th Feb | Nothing says “we love biodiversity” like a court summons… |
| Tues 15th Feb | Isaac Newt versus the Global Forum… |
| Weds 16th Feb | Today’s battles – Friends of Carrington Moss |
| Thurs 17th Feb | The day before the Day in Court and “The nature of memory“ |
| Fri 18th Feb | A day in court |
| Sat 19th Feb | What is to be learnt? |
| Sun 20th Feb | |
| Mon 21st Feb | Linking that hypocrisy… |
| Tues 22nd Feb | A postcard from Madrid |
| Weds 23rd Feb | The day before the revolu… eviction |
| Thurs 24th Feb | Eviction! |
| Summary |
Further reading:
The Magpie, the newsletter of the Manchester Wildlife Group, covered the pond’s life and the effort to save it.
Kelly, U. (1993) Abbey Villa, Magpie 27 pp.17-18
Anon (1993) Abbey Pond on Red Alert Magpie 28, p.12-13
Kelly, U. (1993) Trouble at ‘t Pond. Magpie 28, pp.13-15
Kelly, U. (1994) Abbey Pond Last Rites. Magpie 29, pp.14-15
Pondlifer, (1994) Eye Witness: The last hours of Abbey Pond. Magpie 30, p.6-8
manchester climate monthly 