I have just taken delivery of this book which cam out the end of last year and is an excellent publication and will appeal to members

Underground Manchester - secrets of the city revealed - £15.95 - £1.50 P&P
Keith Warrender, SB, 250 x 190, 167pp


"There are always urban legends but in this case Keith Warrender has collected all the available evidence, so far, to guide us and has been given access to the official records to substantiate the facts, where appropriate. Clearly there are large elements with an excess of information that has had to be condensed so we don't loose interest and there are lots of tantalising gems that deserve to be investigated further providing it is safe to do so. I have joined guides in other Cities and would like to see an underground tour in Manchester - perhaps starting from the Cathedral Arches. Hopefully there will be a second volume and the twin Cities of Salford and Manchester can be brought closer.
The presentation of the major elements is clear and the scrapbook of tantalising glimpses for other items begs for more. Local explorers can start in Castlefield, visit the Science Museum Exhibits for Water and Sewerage then follow the Rochdale Canal around GMex. Those of us that recall the Subway under Deansgate between the Kendals buildings will find a few answers here. Review by J A Kidd"

http://www.moorebooks.co.uk/shelves/cart.php?target=product&product_id=18882&category_id=249 

This really is a fascinating book. I'm glad I've got a copy. Very good pictures and factual. I'll walk around Manchester's streets with a slightly different view knowing what's under my feet 🙂

Does it say much about Manchester's underground telephone exchange?

Dave

In great detail, davel, that is if you are referring to the "Guardian Tunnels". Even a picture of the pit head style winding gear used situated near to Piccadilly Gardens.

These tunnels were built in the major cities in the UK in the 1950's as part of the national nuclear defense system. Funding came from NATO. Manchester's cost in the region of £4millon, mucho dosh at the time.

Meant to be secret but revealed in the late 60's by none other than John Stonehouse MP the then Postmaster General of the GPO & Telephones. This infamous MP faked his own death from a beach in Miami, later to turn up in Melbourne, Australia a few months later. The Australian Police thinking they had caught Lord Lucan by all accounts. :lol:

:offtopic: but interesting eh!