Manchester's cotton industry created a blueprint for modern, industrial life.

But who were the men, women and children that lived in the shadows of the city's towering brick factories?

Chris, Dean and Yakub focus on the human stories from inside the mills - contrasting the uncompromising hardship of factory life in Victorian Manchester with the flickers of hope that kept people going.

We discuss how ordinary people enjoyed their time off, found friendship and sought love and marriage - despite exhausting shifts, crushing poverty and treacherous conditions, where danger lurked in every corner.

James Anderton has declared that AIDS patients are ‘swirling in a cesspool of their own making’. Days later, he makes cryptic remarks that he might be a prophet ‘being used by God’. Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government scrambles to deal with the fallout. In this episode, we discuss how civil servants and fellow police chiefs were openly questioning his sanity - and the documents that show how Mrs Thatcher directly intervened in his case. We also explore the background of prejudice and fear which existed in 80s Britain - and how controversial Section 28 laws, coupled with Anderton’s incendiary remarks, saw Manchester stage one of the largest LGBTQ+ rallies ever seen in Britain. In this final episode, Chris, Dean and Yakub also discuss the legacy of James Anderton’s tenure - and whether his hardline policies inspired Manchester bands, artists and social movements in opposition.

Special thanks: Manchester BIPC; Image: Hardman Creative; Our podcast music was provided by The Podcast Host and Alitu: The Podcast Maker app.

It's Britain in the 1980s. Manchester's police chief is a household name. Satirised on TV comedy shows for his conservative Christian views. Celebrated by government ministers for his robust approach to crime. He is rarely out of the headlines for his clashes with politicians. But the crisis of the Stalker Affair is about to propel both Anderton and his force onto an international stage - threatening to derail hopes for a peaceful end to Northern Ireland's Troubles. We’ll also explore the reopening of the investigation into the Moors Murder case - and James Anderton’s decision to greenlight the clandestine operation to take killer Myra Hindley back to Saddleworth Moors to trace unfound victims.

Content: This episode contains descriptions of the Moors Murder case, which, while avoiding graphic detail, some listeners may find disturbing.

Special thanks: Manchester BIPC Music; Image: Hardman Creative; Our podcast music was provided by The Podcast Host and Alitu: The Podcast Maker app.