Salford Digital Archives

Worsley New Hall

Photographs, correspondence, architectural plans and audio recordings relating to the history of Worsley New Hall, former seat of the Earls of Ellesmere and site of RHS Bridgewater. 

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Mike Craig Archive

A collection of audio recordings amassed by the comedy writer Mike Craig. They include sketches, interviews and shows which formed the basis of Craig’s programmes and feature legendary comedians such as Frank Randle, Harry Worth, Al Read and Morecambe and Wise.

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University Photographic Collection

Photographs relating to the history of the University of Salford and its predecessors, the Royal Technical College and Royal College of Advanced Technology, dated c1890-2011. Includes images of the campus and buildings, honorary graduates, staff and events.

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Bridgewater Department Photographic Collection

Engineering photos from the Bridgewater Department of the Manchester Ship Canal Company, dated c1910-c1945. Most relate to the Bridgewater Canal showing damage, repairs, construction of bridges, docks, barges, warehouses and locks.

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Working Class Movement Library

A selection of photographs and posters from the collections of the Working Class Movement Library, dated c1910-c2006. Topics include various demonstrations, strikes and labour disputes, the Manchester Communist Party, Spanish Civil War and women workers.

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Richard Badnall Papers

A collection of correspondence about Richard Badnall and Richard Gill’s eccentric 19th century invention, 'The Undulating Railway'. Includes correspondence with the Patent Office and the original patent, and other documents relating to the invention.

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Brass Band News

Discover an almost complete run of the 19th-20th century journal, Brass Band News, and five 19th century posters for brass band contests and performances.

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Stanley Houghton Collection

Houghton was an early 20th century playwright of the 'Manchester School'. This collection includes manuscripts of unpublished plays, published first editions and photographs of stage productions

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University Audio-Visual Collection

Includes promotional videos for the University, footage of graduation ceremonies and royal visits, construction of Maxwell Building and student life on campus. Dated c1950s-2000.

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University Estate Plans and Drawings

A curated collection of plans and architectural drawings relating to the University of Salford and its precursor, the Royal College of Advanced Technology, dating from c1950 to 1976. From the archives of the University of Salford and Salford City Council.

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Students' Union Archive

Publications produced by the students union associations and societies of the University of Salford and its predecessors, dating from 1947 to the 1970s.

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Vikas Shah Archive

This collection contains the audio-visual and sound recordings, and transcripts of the interviews, many of which have not been published in Shah’s book or online.

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Walter Greenwood Collection

A selection of manuscripts and published works by the Salford-born writer Walter Greenwood (1903-1974). Greenwood is best known for his novel Love on the Dole (1933), about poverty and working-class life in Hanky Park (Salford) during the 1930s, but produced numerous other novels, short stories, plays, film scripts and journalism over his career. This collection showcases some of his manuscript works, published first editions and a small selection of photographs.

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Salford Parks Ranger Journals

A set of report books dating from 1874 through to 1967 detailing the work and activities of the Head Gardeners and Park Superintendents for the city of Salford. Includes coverage of Peel Park, one of the first public parks in the UK which opened in 1846. Digitized from the collection held by Salford Local History Library.

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Arthur Hopcraft Papers

A selection of draft scripts, working notes, filming schedules, correspondence and publicity material relating to the work of the Bafta-winning scriptwriter Arthur Hopcraft (1932-2004). Hopcraft is best known for his TV plays such as The Nearly Man, and small screen adaptations including Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. This digital collection is curated from the Arthur Hopcraft Papers held by the University of Salford Archives and Special Collections and showcases examples of the sorts of material contained in the physical archive.

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Harold Brighouse Collection

A selection of manuscript works, correspondence and theatre programmes relating to the life and work of the Eccles-born playwright and author, Harold Brighouse (1882-1958). Brighouse was part of the so-called Manchester School of dramatists and his most successful play was Hobson's Choice, first produced in New York in 1915. The material here has been selected from the physical Harold Brighouse Collection held by Salford Local History Library.

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Duke of Bridgewater Archive

A selection of documents from the Duke of Bridgewater Archive including handwritten letters from the 2nd Duke to his sisters in the 1730s and two manuscript payment books, one for labourers on the Duke's estate and the second for purchases of land, damages and trespass for the construction and use of the Bridgewater Canal.

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Maxwell Hall Archive

A collection of material focusing on the University of Salford’s main concert venue, Maxwell Hall, ranging from the 1960s to present day. This includes posters, advertisements, tickets, reviews and interviews from various sources. Search by band, date or name to yield specific results.

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Revans Collection for Action Learning

A collection of materials from the 1950s onwards from academic Reginald Revans (1907-2003) relating to his theory of 'action learning'. The collection includes digitised flipcharts of Revans' research from over the decades, displaying data from the fields of manufacturing, education, healthcare, coal mining and economy.

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The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Collection

A set of engineers drawings from Lancashire and Yorkshire Railways, dated 1834 to 1894 Consisting of three sub-collections: 'Salford Widening', 'Plans from L & YR in Salford', and 'Grand Junction Railway.'

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British Election Campaign Collection

British Election Campaign materials dating from 1964-1966. These were selected in 2024 by students from the Politics and Contemporary History course.

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University Technical Heritage

Covering the years 1896 to 1960, this collection brings together material from the University’s precursor institutions including the Royal Technical Institute, Salford and the Royal College of Advanced Technology.

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