St Michael's Flags And Angel Meadow...

The newly built Co-operative Group head office; 1 Angel Square, rises above the Manchester green space known as Angel Meadow. The award-winning, 15-storey benchmark in sustainable design with soaring atrium, natural air ventilation and state-of-the-art rapeseed oil energy system is a far cry from the living and working conditions of this area's former Victorian inhabitants. In the mid-nineteenth century the area had become one of the city's worst slums and was described as "Hell upon Earth". A population of 30,000, mainly destitute, Irish folk lived in just 33 acres of squalid, overcrowded dwellings. The dark streets and alleyways were home to thugs, prostitutes and disease. Infamously, land adjacent to St Michael's and All Angel's church became Manchester's largest cemetery, used for burying an estimated 40,000 poor people in mass graves. An Act of Parliament was passed in 1855 to cover up the graveyard with flagstones, hence the name 'St Michael's Flags'. It is believed that the slum conditions of Angel Meadow influenced Charles Dickens' novel 'Hard Times'. The area featured in a painting by L. S. Lowry. The church was demolished in 1935 and later the surrounding housing was levelled. In more recent times the area fell into disuse and became subject to anti-social behaviour and vandalism. The park had a bad reputation until the 'Friends of Angel Meadow' was formed in 2004 to campaign for the regeneration of the park. The few remaining buildings have been redeveloped for housing and offices and many new apartment blocks have been built. It is hoped that the park will benefit from the latest development as office workers spill out into the green spaces for recreation.