Our city is the industrial heartland of Britain> With its four universities and associated institutions, it is the largest academic campus in Europe. Manchester has a rich tradition of creativity

• Rutherford split the atom here.
• World's first computer was built here.
• World's first passenger steam railway was based here
• First Rolls Royce car was built here
• First non-stop flight across Atlantic left from here-Mancunians Alcock and Brown
• The first public health leglislation was drafted here
• William Sturgeon invented the first electro-magnet here
• John Dancer inventor of the micro-photography studied here
• James Joule great physicist,whom the unit of energy' named worked all his life here
• First table of atomoc weights of elements published here by John Dalton
• First public radio transmissions came from Manchester

Manchester was the cradle of the industrial revolution, and became a centre of technological innovation and also of political reform and Christian evangelism. It's vibrant cultural heritage brought together those in the church, the arts, science and commerce

The fruit of our inheritance is to be seen in establishments such as the Royal Northern College of Music, Chetham's College and the Halle Orchestra. Great writers such as Thomas De Quincey, Elizabeth Gaskell, John Byron and more recently Harrison Ainsworth and Walter Greenwood lived here.World famous names are associated with this city and its region such as Nobel Laureates P.M.S. Blackett and John Polanyi. Manchester is a centre for media and sport and has hosted the Commonwealth Games. It has produced many home-grown artists such as L.S Lowry.

The history of our city includes many dramatic developments such as the creation of the Ship Canal and the building of Europe's largest industrial estate in Trafford Park. These are being matched today as we move towards a bold regeneration of the city centre, coupled with huge commercial industrial investment and the rapid growth of Manchester International Airport. As Mancunians gather in the Town Hall, we pray for God's blessing and guidance upon our city now and in the coming years