Passionate historian and Museum volunteer wins Pickstone Prize
14 Mar 2016
Frank takes inaugural award celebrating world-renowned science historian and advocate of Manchester’s heritage Professor John Pickstone
Passionate historian and Museum volunteer Frank Rhodes has won the inaugural Pickstone Prize.
The brand new award for 2016, supported by The Midland Hotel, recognises an exceptional individual who is championing and helping to preserve the histories and heritage of a community, area or site.
It is named in honour of Professor John Pickstone (1944-2014), the world-renowned science historian and advocate of Manchester’s heritage, who founded the University’s Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine (CHSTM). John also initiated the Manchester Histories Festival in 2009.
Frank has dedicated a huge part of his life to sharing his passion for the histories of Manchester, as well as helping others to research the stories that interest them and their histories. He has published several books on a wide range of subjects, including pub histories, local areas and the famed Gorton fairground and zoo Belle Vue, and has been a volunteer at Manchester Museum for many years.
He and the other winners of the Manchester Community Histories Awards 2016 were announced at a packed ceremony presented by actress Julie Hesmondhalgh and writer and performer Ian Carrington (aka Fat Roland) at Manchester Town Hall on Friday 11 March.
A spokesperson for The Midland Hotel said: “We are delighted to have been asked to support the brand new Pickstone Prize. It is such an estimable award, recognising an individual who has gone above and beyond to preserve the histories and heritage of Manchester. With over 100 year’s history in the heart of Manchester’s city centre, we are honoured at The Midland to be part of recognising such an inspiring individual as Frank.”
Manchester Histories Festival 2016 will take place from the 3-12 June 2016 with the Manchester Celebration Day on Saturday 11 June 2016.
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