Belle Vue & Gorton Family Fun Day

About

Whether you love reminiscing or finding out about the fascinating history of Belle Vue & Gorton for the first time, we invite you to come and enjoy a wonderful day packed with family fun right here at our modern-day Monastery!

Home to a zoological garden, circus, fair, speedway, dancing, boxing, wrestling, fireworks, music, and dancing for over 150 years, Belle Vue was the Showground of the World. Over the course of the day, you will discover just how monumental Belle Vue Zoo was in its heyday in this fascinating stroll through Manchester's history & heritage.

From 10am – 4pm on Sunday 25th June, 2023, The Monastery will open its doors with a range of Belle Vue & Gorton related exhibitions, stalls and displays, plus fun activities for all the family.

The Museum Of Transport Buses and Stall (outdoors)

Children's Funfair (outdoors)

Free Activity Sheets (at the main entrance)

Face Painting by Kinga Truszkowska (in the healing garden & welcome café)

Children's Garden Games (in the healing garden & welcome café)

Exhibition of archive posters, programmes, memorabilia and photos (in the Great Nave)

Gerald Isles Archive photo books with Janet Wallwork (in the Great Nave)

Frank Rhodes photographic archive collection and memories table (in the Great Nave)

Archive film footage (in the Great Nave)

Belle Vue Clowns painting display painted by Pam Armstrong, Artist (in the Great Nave)

Garrick Books archive book stall (in the Great Nave)

Display of Belle Vue Aces Speedway race jackets / leathers (in the Great Nave)

Belle Vue Speedway pop-up museum with Chris Morton (in the community hub)

Scheduled Events

10:00 – 16:00

10:30 – 11:15 – The Halle & Belle Vue Short Talk + Music & School Workshop (Session 1) with Eleanor Roberts in the learning space.

11:15 – 11:45 – Accord Choir performance in the Great Nave

11:30 – 12:00 – Belle Vue: The Gardens That John Built with Karen Gabay in the learning space.

12:15 – 13:15 – The Great Apes of Belle Vue with Rev. David Gray in the learning space.

12:00 – 13:00 – Hour Of Silence: Silent Meditation in the sanctuary.

12:00 – 12:30 – Gorton Voice Choir performance in the Great Nave.

12:45 – 13:15 – Glasshouse Choir performance in the Great Nave.

13:30 – 14:15 – The Halle & Belle Vue Short Talk + Music & School Workshop (Session 2) with Eleanor Roberts in the learning space.

13:15 – 13:45 – Dr Butler's Hatstand Medicine Band performance in the healing garden & welcome café.

13:45 – 14:15 – Organ Recital by Stephen Mann in the Great Nave.

14:15 – 14:45 – Dr Butler's Hatstand Medicine Band performance in the healing garden & welcome café.

14:30 – 15:00 – Writing Belle Vue's History with Robert Nicholls in the sanctuary.

15:00 – 16:00 – Norman Barratt (Belle Vue Ringmaster – 1970s and early 1980s) in the Great Nave.

16:00 – Event Ends