Weaving History: The Cotton Famine Poetry Podcast is a brand-new miniseries that uncovers a forgotten piece of working-class history through poetry, newspapers, and more.
"The Lancashire Cotton Famine is part of my own family's history, and I'm so excited to share this part of my heritage with the world," says co-producer and presenter Ruth-Anne Walbank. "Weaving History really dives into the unexplored ways in which the American Civil War influenced people's everyday lives in the North West of England, bringing so many different perspectives together for our listeners."
Emerging from Ruth-Anne's doctoral research at the University of Warwick, Weaving History combines interviews with leading experts and Lancashire locals alongside dramatic readings of poems, diaries, and newspaper articles. The podcast brings the topic to life for public audiences, appealing to history enthusiasts and literature lovers alike.
The Cotton Famine followed the Unionist blockade of exports during the American Civil War (1861-1865), causing many mills to close and leaving thousands of Victorian weavers unemployed. Recent research has brought the neglected Cotton Famine poems to light. Now, this podcast seeks to connect this working-class literary history to the fight against slavery in America.
All six episodes are available to stream now.
Co-producers Ruth-Anne and Dan are available for interviews and talks on request. Please reach out to the team at weavinghistorypod@gmail.com.