Manchester: Alchemical City

Jeanette Winterson presents her personal exploration of the city of Manchester, from its Celtic roots to the present day, and beyond.

She takes to the streets of the city to tell the stories of the disparate groups and events which formed this combative and insubordinate urban centre.

Jeanette grew up in Accrington in Lancashire and regards the city of Manchester as always influencing, always transforming – an alchemical place. The sounds of Manchester, past and present, are woven between her words and thoughts.

This first programme goes back to the beginning, tracing the story from the Brigantes – the native inhabitants of the Pennines – and Queen Cartimandua and her arrangements with the Roman occupiers, to the birth of 38 Manchesters around the world.

Producer / Kevin Dawson for Whistledown

Publicity contact: BBC Radio 4 Publicity