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 was born and works in Manchester and regards the city as always influencing, always transforming - an alchemical place.

The sounds of Manchester, past and present, are woven between her words and thoughts.

Episode 1: Beginnings
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. Underground Manchester, wild Manchester, watery Manchester. Damp, good for cotton, an underground rich with coal. Early education, the alchemy of John Dee and Puritanism.

Written and Presented by Jeanette Winterson

Produced by Kevin Dawson
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4. Show less