Rolls & Royce met here

This is also where Ernest Rutherford split the atom at Manchester University in 1917. Kellogg’s largest factory of cornflakes is situated in Manchester. But this is where in 1761 the Industrial Revolution started and it was to do with the production of cotton products. So today I wanted to explore the country side to see if I could find anything that was left of the processing of cotton and silk products in some of the mill towns surrounding Manchester. So I drove to Knutsford, Congleton and Macclesfield to see what I could find - nothing!! Although there are plenty of references to the old days such as Mill road, Silk road etc and plenty of old mill buildings converted to offices or apartments there is nothing to see of the history!. However, on the way back to my AirBnB, I found the National Trusts Quarry Bank, the best preserved textile factory of the industrial revolution, where a Irish man called Samuel Greg established a huge cotton spinning complex which became one of the defining businesses of the industrial revolution. Over five floors thousands of people (some as young as 10 years old) toiled to spin and weave cotton which changed the world forever. It was interesting to see the old carding and ring spinning machinery in working order and to actually see some of Manchesters real history - (As a side note, in Australia - Manchester means bed linen and cotton towels). I also visited Old Trafford Cricket Ground where Australia have won eight and drawn 15 of their 30 Tests. It is England's second oldest Test venue behind The Oval and ahead of Lord's. It's where the Australian cricket team posted the highest score in a Test match. The captain's Bob Simpson's triple hundred (311) of a total of 8d/656 against England in the fourth Test in 1964. It is also where Shane Warne bowled the "Ball of the Century" to dismiss Mike Gatting!

I'll bet you didn't know that the vegetarian movement originated in Manchester – It was initiated by Reverend William Cowherd, who established the first vegetarian church in the UK known as Beefsteak Chapel.