The Mancunian Way: The clock that strikes 13

Was George Orwell inspired by a Salford church's unique oddity?

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‘It was a cold bright day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen’. So begins George Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece Nineteen Eighty Four.

It’s one of the most famous opening lines in literature. And, as feature writer Dan Thompson discovered, it could have been inspired by Orwell’s war-time stint on the M.E.N.

At 1pm every day St Mark’s Church in Worsley strikes 13. It’s thought to be the only clock in the UK that does so.

The unusual state of affairs dates back to the mid-1700s when Francis Egerton, the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, noticed his workers at Worsley Yard, the centre of his coal-mining and canal business, were often late coming back from dinner. When questioned they told the Duke they couldn’t hear the clock strike 1pm over the noise of the yard.

So, Egerton arranged to have the clock strike 13 times to remove any excuse his tardy staff might have for slacking off. And that’s where Orwell comes in.

Between 1943 and 1946, around the time the clock was moved to the church, Orwell was working as an M.E.N. columnist and reviewer. Is it possible then he took note of the paper’s story on the clock and used it to open what would become arguably the definitive novel of the 20th Century?

Local historian Judith Atkinson certainly thinks so. “It’s very, very possible,” she said. “Certainly then it would have been news that this clock was being installed and put into use at St Mark’s so as a newspaper man he very likely would have known about it.”

Priced out?

On Sunday Manchester City make their 21st cup journey to Wembley since 2016. Factor in the cost and inconvenient kick-off time on a school night and it’s perhaps no surprise that come kick-off there will almost certainly be empty seats in the City end.

With discontent growing around ticket pricing and allocation at several clubs, it’s a moment that fans should use to come together in protest, writes Manchester City reporter Joe Bray.

“There is a growing realisation that fans must unite over growing ticket prices. As money becomes tighter for everyone, City fans shouldn't be judged for not being able to afford every single game.

“Not to mention public transport issues that come with another visit to London. It also serves to underpin the protests which all come back to the same issue regardless of specifics on season ticket policy - the increasing expense of following football.”

On parade

It’s set to be a busy weekend in town. On Sunday the St George’s Day parade will take place in the city centre - at the same time as the Manchester Marathon.

The parade will begin around noon in Miles Platting before making its way through Piccadilly and the Northern Quarter.

There will be lots of people dressed up in Saint George's Crosses, horse-drawn carriages, buses, scooters, military vehicles and dancers and drummers. Adam Maidment has all the details here.

A short guide to running a long distance

Good luck if you’re one of the estimated 36,0000 runners taking part in the marathon. There will be a number of races on Sunday, including the male and female elite races while a new route will wind its way through Chorlton, Hulme and Stretford before finishing outside the university on Oxford Road.

Whether you’re taking part or cheering on family and friends, our guide to the big day has everything you need to know.

Gardening leave

It’s Friday afternoon and the sun’s shining, so if you’ve got any sense you’ll be heading out for a pint any moment now. And to help you choose where to go here’s our guide to Greater Manchester’s best beer gardens.

Weather etc

Weekend: It looks like we might be in for a lightly gloomy Saturday, but from Sunday onwards the temperatures are set to climb as Greater Manchester basks in a mini spring-time heatwave. Stephen Topping has the forecast for the week ahead here.

Trains: There’s a replacement bus service on TransPennine Express services between Stalybridge and Huddersfield this weekend due to engineering works.

Manchester headlines

Sinkhole: A sinkhole which opened up close to a school will cause a busy road to be closed for the next week. The crater, created by workers investigating ‘a dip in the road’ on Whittaker Lane in Prestwich. Read more

Bus crash: An investigation has been launched after multiple passengers reported being injured and 'shook-up' in a crash at Middleton bus station. Two Bee Network buses were involved in a collision at the station at around 4.30pm on Thursday.

Gallaghers pictured: Liam and Noel Gallagher have been pictured back at work together for the first time since announcing their huge Oasis reunion last year. Liam and Noel were both spotted arriving at a working men's club in Newington Green, London on Friday. Dianne Bourne has more here