Thoughts and words from guests

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‘Spent this Sunday in Heaton Park on the @JonathSchofield guided tour. You must experience one of these tours. I've been on quite a few now and they are brilliant. If you want to know more about your local history then I can't recommend them enough. Superb.’ Mike Joyce, Drummer (with The Smiths amongst others), September, 2021

FRUK Autumn Social - ‘We Built This City’ walking tour with Jonathan Schofield 📚🍻🍂 We visited and heard stories of many building, areas and artefacts around Manchester which we pass on a daily basis without realising the background of the area and the reasons some places are the way they are. Of course this ended in the infamous Manchester Town Hall Tavern with a quiz!Congratulations to the prize winners Richard Thompson & Rachel Norbury 👏🏼 Overall winner Ben Battye 🏆. Thank you again for a really fun and informative evening Jonathan Schofield. Ben Battye, FletcherRae, September 2021

Many thanks from me and the rest of my friends for a hugely enjoyable informative tour on Saturday. Looking forward to the next time. Veronica McNamara. September 2021

Thank you so much to @JonathSchofield for 2 wonderful tours for the @OneFileUK team today around #Manchester City centre during our strategy away day. Lived here for 28yrs and learnt so much. Would definitely recommend Jonathan's tours. Samantha Lawson, July 2021

Morning Jonathan, I just wanted to say thank you for a great evening. It was certainly worth the wait. I’ve already had emails coming in about how great the tour was. I’m sure most of our guests will be in touch to arrange their own event. Thank you, Jonathon Nolan, RPS. July 2021

My wife and I must thank you for your Zoom tours during Covid; they have provided a bright light and much needed excitement in these dire times. Many thanks from both of us. John and Sue Westwood

Thank you so much for talking to our pupils. It was very kind of you to give over a good chunk of your Wednesday evening for us and we really appreciated the time and effort that you put in to deliver such an interesting talk. I have already received a number of very positive comments from pupils and the mix of topics and ideas was something that they had not expected. Hopefully it will have inspired many of them to visit or study or work in Manchester in the future. I am sure that this time next year we will be able to see you in person and get one of your special guided tours and end with a cool, refreshing pint – certainly we have missed that opportunity over the last two summers. Trevor Kidson, Bradfield College

Having been on one of Jonathan's walks before, I TOTALLY recommend it! He has excellent knowledge of the city and a very engaging manner. Geseth Garcia

Thanks so much - we both loved it! Melanie Plimmer
 
Inspirational talk this evening. Many thanks. Keith Washington
 
You’re a grand story teller. Thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. Janet Taylor
 
Thank you - very interesting! Chris Wain
 
Very, very good. David Griffiths
 
Thanks Jonathan, good to hear you talk again! Claire Batt
 
Very instructive. Gill P
 
Thank you, we loved this tour. JS
 
Thank you. Lots of interesting issues. Peter and Barbara Snape
              
Thanks Jonathan, can’t wait to climb Engels. David Parkes (with reference to the University of Salford’s Engels beard climbing sculpture
 
Thanks again Jonathan for another amazing talk. Sue Taylor
 
Thank you that was excellent! Mark Odgers
 
Many thanks Jonathan a fascinating tour of the subject! Carol and Alan

​Many thanks for last night’s event – really enjoyable. Richard Hall
 
Thanks so much for the tour Jonathan. It was much more focused on Engels than I’d expected but touched on so many interesting aspects of Manchester’s history too. I really enjoyed your informal, wine-swigging style as well! Thanks for putting Charles Hallé’s arrival in Manchester into context as well- I’d never thought about why he came here, even though I’ve been a member of the first violin section for 20 years now! Anyway, thanks so much for an enjoyable, informative & affable early evening Zoom. Michelle Marsh

Some Zoom tour guest comments from 6 March to 1 April, 2020

Just wanted to say thank you for a really good  tour tonight. As always, it was interesting , great fun and delivered in such a wonderfully relaxed, yet informative, way. I loved the Freudian slip gag (although based on an unfortunate incident). It is obvious that so many others feel the same and you take us away from the seriousness of the pandemic for an hour and a half whilst educating/ entertaining  us. Thank you so much …and have a good Easter weekend. Liz Spence

Thank you so much for continuing your zoom tours even though Manchester is perhaps ‘opening’ soon and you can do real live tours. Personally I have loved every single tour even when I may know absolutely nothing about the subject at the beginning. Listening to your lovely accent, seeing photos of current Manchester and learning more about a city I love has kept me sane thru COVID. So thank you from all of us international folks tuning in regularly or just once in a while. Your tours bring sunshine to my day. Barb Turner, Canada
 
Thanks for last week’s tours, fascinating as ever. I’ve joined and enjoyed several of your zoom tours, This was one I was especially looking forward to & was unable to I’m so glad that you’re continuing with zoom tours as well as going back ‘on the streets'. These are SO welcome to those who are disabled and cannot get into town and those of us ‘blessed in years’ who don’t want to travel on public transport just yet. Barbara Leyland
 
Very interesting and entertaining. Jean Norman

This was brilliant - thank you – Bee Garvey

Thanks for another great talk Jonathan. Looking forward to the next one. Sue Taylor
Thank you so much Jonathan.  You really are a mine of information.  Great once more. Eunice Mungins

Enjoyed your talk. Some fascinating pictures. Ed Glinert

Thanks Jonathan, lovely to share this evening with everyone else. Anne Burnett
Thank you so much for sharing your tours of Salford with us, I found them really interesting. Avril & Tom Tomlinson

Firstly thanks so much for the three fascinating zoom talks on Chapel St to Peel Park, loved them. I was inspired to visit Peel Park for the first time last week with a friend and had a great walk over to and round the Meadow. Liz Lowry

Thanks Jonathan for a fascinating talk this evening. My first with you but I'll certainly be coming back for more! Checking that I'm on the list for alI the talks, thanks. Sadie Francis

Thoroughly enjoyed your talk to the Gaskell House volunteers the other day and agreed with every word. Very good of you to give your time and hugely interesting content. Philip Watts

Brilliant Talk. Thank you very much! Carmel Cahill

Some Zoom tour guest comments from 12 January to 6 March 2021 
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‘I normally have a Pilates zoom class on Tuesday evenings but have changed my day so that I can join your Tuesday talks. I hope you are suitably flattered.’ Bee Garvey

‘Great tour as always. Thanks.’ Olly Burrage

‘Thanks for this evening’s brilliant Tour. We loved it! Roll on June when we can do these Tours in person.  It’s good listening to you but so much better in reality.’ Kay Gallagher

‘How did I miss this gorgeous building in my Manchester travels? Thank you for sending it on and once this pandemic stuff quiets I sure hope to return and attend some of your tours in person. Your tours are making stay at home easier!’ Barb Rogers, Canada

‘Loved that, thanks Jonathan.’ Marian

‘Loved it. Looking forward to part 2. Thank you.’ Roz Hughes

‘Thanks Jonathan. Madly interesting as always. Lovely to connect back with the city.’ Jill Burdett.

‘Loved it, thanks, just as good as the walking tour’ Sue Garside

‘Absolutely great thank you.’ David Griffiths

‘A fab Manchester evening full of places I’ve not seen in too long.’ Sarah Galligan

‘That was fascinating - thank you :-)’ Gwen.

‘Thank you Jonathan - certainly opened our eyes!  Bring on part 2.’ Denise Waring

‘Cracking that, Jonathan! Looking forward to part 2. Hope you’ll feature the big old stone.’ Jane

‘Thank you for a great tour.’ Trish

 ‘That was great, we'll look forward to Part 2. Thank you so much’ Lorna Aldred

‘Enjoyed that very much.’ Jackie Rogers

‘Thank you.  That was great!’ Anne Burks

‘That was brilliant! Will definitely join you for more. Thanks!’ Moira Colman
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‘Jonathan, you have inspired me to spend less time dashing around Manchester on my bike and more time walking and gazing upwards.....currently my fractured ribs have forced me to slow down - and look up.....Thank you.’ Vincent Walsh

‘Thanks Jonathan....all fascinating as usual. Looking forward to part 2 very much. Re setts: all of Macclesfield’s are buried.’ Jeff Teasdale

‘Thanks Jonathan. Really enjoyed that.’ Jackie Ure

‘Many thanks for opening my eyes even wider to the variety of quirks around Manchester.’ Graham Hebden

‘Fascinating, thank you Jonathan!’ Kate Owen

‘Well done as ever Jonathan. Thank you’ Jon Pickstone

‘Brilliant tour this evening, as always!  thanks so much.’ Heather Parkinson

‘I normally have a Pilates zoom class on Tuesday evenings but have changed my day so that I can join your Tuesday talks. I hope you are suitably flattered.’ Bee Garvey

‘Thanks again for all you are doing to brighten up our lives.’ Alan
‘I really enjoyed it this evening and will be there for Friday’s zoom too.’ Trish Kelly

‘Loving your talks. Better than going to the cinema! Keep up the entertaining talks.’ Deborah Ivill 

​'Thank you for putting on these tours, full of knowledge and humour. You are making lockdown more than just bearable - your zoom tours are becoming the highlight of our week.' Alan Southworth

‘These are making lockdown misery that but more bearable’ Mark Leigh

'Jonathan,  please send me the details to join you on both days. It’s just great learning about the wonderful city.' Barbara Leyland

'Have really enjoyed the Zoom Tours I have done so far. Helps to make up for missing trips into Manchester.' Helen Hallsworth

Hi Jonathan, loved the tour yesterday. Tku Tku.' Maria Bota

'Great Tours this week, we loved them. Please send us the link to next Tuesday's tour of Manchester Tunnels. We really enjoy the tours and all the asides you give.' Andy and David Cooper

'Kay and I really enjoyed the tour last night. Interesting that so many people focused on the pubs which from my CAMRA viewpoint is heartening. Just hoping we can avoid losing any more iconic pubs in the predicted post-Covid crash. Also enjoyed watching the Manchester Historic Towns episode the other night and your cameo roles in it. Although enjoyable, I felt that there was little on the prog that I didn't already know and much of that was credit to yourself. Manchester is lucky to have someone with such knowledge and passion. Might have to nominate you as an asset of community value!' Tim Field

'The two last week were fab, cheers! I think the skyline of Manchester one has been my favourite of all the zooms I've done - I love tall buildings and all the building in Manchester. I imagine by the time I get there again there'll be another few finished. 
Manchester seems such a long way away at the moment - so strange from being in Manc/Salford almost every day  to not being there at all.
So thanks for all the zoom tours - I always look forward to them and learning more stuff.' Clare Nolan

'I enjoyed these tours immensely.' Barbara Leyland

‘That was ******* brilliant. Keep it up. It’s obvious how much effort you’re putting in and trust me it was excellent and occasionally you made us howl with laughter.’ Steve Lake

‘I’m so very pleased and thankful you are doing these Zoom tours. They are keeping me somewhat sane.’ Regina, Canada, Barbara

‘Just wanted to say your tours give me some sense of normality and are a morale booster as well as fascinating. Really appreciate all the work you put in.’ Pam Bromley

 ‘Thanks for a great zoom tour of Chapel Street!’ Teresa Walmsley
‘Thanks Jonathan...We really enjoyed the tour of Chapel Street and Peel Park.’ Jeff Teasdale

‘Hi Jonathan, Chapel St tonight was an excellent tour.’ Stuart Moore

‘I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and look forward to the next one. What a great idea!  It's amazing how much there is in a quarter of a mile!’ Noel Fraser

SO 2020 ENDS AND 2021 BEGINS

‘Thanks again for a great music tour tonight.’ Trish Davies

‘Many thanks Jonathan. Thoroughly enjoyed the zoom tour! See you for part two.’ Lindsay Ford

‘Loved the music tour! Thoroughly engaging and has set the theme for our weekend! Keep them coming please: we will be waiting.’ Nicky Snow

‘Hi Jonathan, really enjoyed all your Zoom tours this week.’ Marie Hodgson
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‘Just like to say you’ve lit up my Thursday and Friday evening. I’ve been on about 5 of your walking tours and now two zoom, and I’m definitely going to be in a couple of next weeks too.’ Alan Hughes

‘Your tours brighten my days. Thank you’. Barb Turner

‘Thanks for Mayfield talk - really enjoyed it - very colourful in these grey days.  And body-boarding, invented in Manchester - who’d a thought!.’ Many thanks. Ann and Hugo Schenk

‘Thanks for the fab tour last night. We really enjoyed it and all the memories it created. My brother-in-law watched it in Duffield, Derbyshire so we were WhatsApping stories and memories between us. Have you thought of mapping where everyone is (geographically). It would be really interesting to see how far and wide your zoom tours are watched.’ Kat Gallagher

‘We have really enjoyed the three zoom tours this week and would like to sign up for next week's two tours. This is appreciated as it gives us something to look forward to during these long winter evenings.’ Alan and Jane Ford

‘We hugely enjoyed all your talks and look forward to next week. We have joined you in person a number of times over the years, including on some group tours organised by our friend Jon Cohen, but not for some time now and you have reminded us about how much we have missed.’ Dave Cooper

‘Really enjoying your enthusiastic zoom tours/talks, it seems an absolute age since I was last in Manchester. Many thanks.’ Janie Cook

‘Ditch the telly this evening and join the excellent Jonathan Schofield on a Zoom tour.’ Marketing Manchester

'You have no idea how am happy I am to see you have more Zooms - since we got completely pinned down again I've kept looking... - your first series of Zooms gave orientation to the week & something to really look forward to.' Liz Arkell
‘Brilliant as always.’ Kay

‘Wonderful Jonathan, thank you.’ Andy and David

‘Great start to the week.’ Gwen Alvey

‘Really enjoyed that.’ Marian

‘Marvellous as ever.’ Lucy Hope

‘Thank you. Very interesting and amusing. Looking forward to the next one.’ Helen
‘Thank you, we really enjoyed your tour this evening - really interesting. Looking forward to another one!’ Angela Scarr

‘Very much enjoyed this evening’s presentation and we are looking forward to the next one!’ Amanda Falk

‘Excellent escape. Loved every minute of it. My wife Sara and I lived in Manchester for three years and attended a few of your delightful tours while we were there. We loved them and the insight and respect they gave us for the city and its residents. We’ve since moved to Sussex and miss the North very much so we are so happy to participate remotely. Looking forward to more and thanks so much for putting these out there.’ Duane Lawrence
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‘Thanks for the Zoom tour, it was really interesting! Looking forward to the next one.’ Laura Morleys

‘Fantastic tour as always, lots of interesting history, lots of fun. Looking forward to Thursday.’ Sue Garside

16 September 2020
'Another brilliant 'tour' - I will buy the book when it is published.
Cheers!' Tony Adamson following the Zoom tour concerning Friedrich Engels in Manchester on 15 September 2020. The recording is now available. 

30 August 2020
'I'd pay to go on a tour of my own flat if Jonathan Schofield were doing the tour. I know it would be entertaining and I'd find out stuff I didn't previously know.' Graham Fairclough.

29 August 2020
Totally brilliant tour of Mayfield Station tonight with @JonathSchofield, who may be my new favourite Mancunian. Pub afterwards also a highlight. Sarah Noble. 

11 May 2020
'Thanks, Jonathan. Missing your enthusiasm.' Chetham's Library.  
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10 May 2020
'You are better than Google, Jonathan.' Paul Iddon. 

24 February 2020
‘Just a short note to thank you for the guided tour of the Mayfield depot yesterday.  Having lived in the North and worked in the city for many years I thought I knew Manchester quite well, but I have to admit that I had never heard of the station at all. Until, that is, I was given a couple of your vouchers as a birthday gift and checked out your website. Both my son and I found the tour very informative and entertaining, with some great anecdotes to bring the story to life.’ Richard Jones.

23 February 2020
‘Thanks @JonathSchofield for an awesome tour of Mayfield seeing and hearing about the incredible history and exciting plans for the future.’ Gary Andrews.

15 February 2020 
This afternoon I did Jonathan Schofield’s wonderful Incredible Interiors tour. It was great. Really informative and visited some great places. Learned a lot and had fun. Pete Greensmith.

17 December 2019
'Went on a tour of Mayfield Station last night hosted by Jonathan Schofield. Been on a few of these & what he doesn't know about Mcr, isn't worth knowing. Found out why Mcr has so many viaducts in its centre. The answer was mind blowing. Check out the tours & ask him why. Oh yeah, his tours are great Christmas presents too.' Mike Joyce, drummer, musician, speaker, DJ, (formerly of The Smiths).

10 October 2019
'I previously booked tours for few of my groups with you and they all had a wonderful time.' Coralie Berthet, Student Experience Facilitator Lead, British Study Centres.

19 September 2019
'Thanks so much for giving such a brilliant tour! You have opened my eyes to how interesting Manchester really is!' Helen Leah, University of Manchester.

28 July, 2019
'The Manchester International Festival Tour called Future Cities was absolutely fantastic, both thoroughly enjoyable and incredibly insightful on so many levels . It provided me with a greater appreciation of a city I love and also enabled me to comprehend the future shape of the urban spaces of Manchester. Having lived in the city from the early 1990’s into the beginning of the millennium, I could really appreciate the descriptions of change , as well as the potential impact those architectural schemes and plans that never actually took shape might have had! By using the past as a guide to explore the concept of future urban thinking and policies of various historical eras , you did an excellent job of highlighting what Manchester was, is now and what it might become in the coming decades.' David Kendrick.

16 June, 2019
'Jonathan, recently chaired a pair of Guardian Live debates in Manchester. His clever control of the panel and guests in a full house ensured a balanced, lively, debate that covered a great deal of ground.' Anna Chesters.  

17 June 2019
'Everyone was absolutely thrilled with their tours. Indeed many people had either never been to Manchester, or certainly not seen any of the sights, and they were really bowled over and impressed, especially by your delivery, enthusiasm and wit.' Tony Kaye.

16 June 2019
'You really ask Jonathan Schofield about this. My husband has organised private tours with him before and they're always, absolutely, 100%.' Edd A-M, via Twitter. 

10 June 2019
'Hi, Jonathan. We did end up in Mackie Mayor and it was fantastic- one thing led to another and I ended up with a bottle of Manchester Spiced rum before the evening was through. Another great tour we thoroughly enjoyed!' Mark McCullum.  

1 June 2019
'The most fascinating thing of my holiday so far is my biggest bucket list ticked off to see Chethams. My Grandmother a Chetham has always spoken to me about our history and our family from Manchester since I was little and I’m so grateful that I have been able to visit a important piece of history. What a wonderful tour done by Jonathan Schofield who I got to have a chat with thanks for the shout out today. History is Amazing!' Sammy Jayne.

31 May 2019
'Jonathan Schofield is the best if you love Manchester, or are just visiting: book on one of his tours, his passion and knowledge of Manchester is unbelievable. (I) could listen to him for hours.' Win Edmondson.

15 March 2019
'Excellent tours and great fun.' Derick Softley.

2 February 2019
'Been on several of Jonathan’s tours and he always delivers them with such great humour and in-depth knowledge. Can’t recommend them enough!' Lindsay Salmon.

24 November 2018
'Went on the Chetham's tour today, fantastic place and fantastic guide everything very interesting.' Sharon Leather.  

23 July 2018
Went to yet another Jonathan Schofield's tour, this time about abandoned Mayfield railway station. Who else could get you into an abandoned building - and share amazing stories in meantime? Anna Godakanda.

21 April 2018
A big THANK YOU for  yesterday's tour. It was simply fantastic!! I put lots of effort into this conference over the past 6 months to make it an important event and the tour yesterday was, simply put, a great  conclusion to this event. Thank you very much for helping me to make it great 'til the end. Dr Maria-Teresa Marchica

1 February 2018
Just a quick note to thank you very much for a superb and entertaining Pub Walk yesterday lunchtime. As ever I learnt something new about our interesting City and its glorious past. Look forward to doing another walk soon. Thanks, John Holland.

28 November 2017
​'This is such an interesting tour - I can highy recommend it - if you love history and you love Manchester and want to get it glued together by an amazing wordsmith than this tour is one not to miss!' Patrick Wetzels.

26 September 2017
'Thanks once again for the wonderful Chetham's tour the other week. Thanks again.' Francis French.

16 June 2017
"Great and provocative talk, you are the man-machine of Manchester's history!" Janine Watson, Consultant.

8 June 2017
"Everyone loved the tour you did for us and the wife of the Secretary General of Nova (Paints, USA) gave it a 10 out of 10." Paddy Dyson, Marketing Manager, HMG Paints Ltd.

17 April 2017
"I just wanted to drop you a line to say many thanks for the tour on Friday, it was absolutely superb!  I’ve had so many positive comments, everyone enjoyed it and you are a fantastic guide!" Joanne Ormerod, Arcadis. 

25 January 2017
"Thank you for that great tour you did yesterday -  the students loved it and I learned a lot. I have told other colleagues about you so they can perhaps use you on their units." Dr Joan Ormrod, Programme Leader FMS BA (Hons), Senior Lecturer, Department of Media, Manchester Metropolitan University. 

14 December 2016
"Jonathan gave us a brilliant introduction to the social and historic landscape of 1819 through his lively and engaging guiding around the city.  Using the geography and architecture of Manchester, he was able to bring to life the political complexities and historic details that led to the Peterloo Massacre. And the whole tour was further animated by his reading from poetry of the era and illuminating stories, shared on the streets as we stood in the footsteps of the protestors of 1819. A memorable walk through times past." Liz Pugh, Creative Producer, Walk the Plank​.

15 October 2016
'I went on the Chetham's tour and I really think it was the greatest tour I've been on in the world.' 
Christine Smyth.

20 September 2016
Thanks so much. They really loved it. Needless to say will be using your services again and again. Amanda Kaye, Landis+Gyr.

19 September 2016
I just wanted to say a BIG thank you for providing our group with your walking tour in Manchester on Thursday. The group loved it and we've had some really great feedback. We'll be sure to get in touch if when we have another event in Manchester.  Victoria Eaton, Clive Experiental Events Agency, September 2016.

19 September 2016
​Just wanted to say thank you for your tour on Saturday. Your knowledge, wit and passionate approach had me totally engaged from the second you started. I look forward to joining you on future tours.Thanks again. Kerry Wroe, Manchester Visitor Centre Service Leader.

31 August 2016
Thank you so much for yet another uniquely magnificent JS tour at the Fire Station on Monday....and I'm so happy to own your excellent new book now as well. Howard Bamforth.

15 February 2016
I'm one of the journalists who joined your brilliant walking tour the weekend before last. Tamara Hinson, Freelance Journalist

13 February 2016
Your tours just get better. Yesterday's was a classic made memorable by the views from the roof of the car park. I think we are all embarrassed by our lack of knowledge of Manchester which you are quickly remedying. Bill Walsh, Hale Golf Association

12 February 2016
Thank you for your fascinating tour – everyone loved it & it was immensely useful. Katie Vine, Producer, Manchester International Festival.

15 November 2015
Dear Jonathan, thank you so very much for yesterday's tour!!! It was really awesome and my colleagues really liked it and they were very impressed. You helped me make their visiting really cool and pleasant. THANKS A LOT!!! Maria-Teresa Marchica, Manchester Business School.

14 July 2015
I highly recommend Jonathan Schofield's ace Manchester walking tour.'  Katharine Viner, Editor-in-Chief, The Guardian

16 June 2015
Feedback was very positive and some said it was the best city tour they had ever done. A big thank you. Karen Duncalf, Akros Chemicals.

18 April 2015
An astonishing tour around astonishing buildings. Wonderfully presented. Chetham's is a real marvel for Manchester.  Graham Hartwell, visitor.
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26 May 2014
Jonathan, just a quick thank you for adding to what was a great weekend in Manchester. Really enjoyed our time with you, and hope to have the good fortune of meeting you again in the near future. Glenn Duncan, Vice President, Sales, Ottawa Tourism.

1 May 2014
Heard the tour went well and was really interesting. Just wanted to drop you a line to say thanks for the last couple of jobs (this and Japanese guests tour), the feedback has been great – everyone bloody loves you. Keep meaning to pass it on. Anh Nguyen, Marketing Manchester.

1 February 2014
Just been on @JonathSchofield's rather excellent haunted underground tour. Worth doing and a bit of a bargain at £8. Smyth Harper.

29 January 2014
The best two hour wander around for as long as I can remember.
Kevin Mousley, BBC World Service, after taking and recording the politics and radical Manchester tour for a forthcoming programme.

19 January 2014
Excellent tour again Jonathan, as usual. Really brilliant a mix of new material, old stories, a blend of information about the history of the city and, importantly, what is happening today and into the future. Dave Carter, Head, Manchester Digital Development Agency.

5 September 2013
Thank you so much for your brilliant work as our compere at the Victoria Baths event on Wednesday. Pete Brunskill. Victoria Baths.

Article written about the Haunted Underworld tour by Tracey Lowe on The Good Review - 27 October 2013

I don’t know why I love ghost tours so much. I always end up being absolutely terrified and mortifying the people I’m with. Also, I’m only just getting over quite a severe case of Achluophobia. So what better way to spend my Saturday than underneath the city of Manchester, in complete darkness, listening to spooky stories?

Jonathan Schofield is Mr. Manchester. Not in the greased-up, biceps-flexing way, but in the more valuable, oracle capacity. He hosts several tours of Manchester on various topics, and has been a Blue Badge Guide for the North West of England for nearly twenty years. He is also absolutely hilarious, and I felt we were in extremely capable hands. Starting overground, we were told stories of spurned ladies and beheadings near St. Ann’s Church, before being taken to the depths, beneath Deansgate.

Manchester has a very rich history, some of it extremely dark. This is a not a cheesy Halloween gauntlet, full of clowns with fake chainsaws and infected “zombies”. This is a tour of historical sites with some urban myths thrown in. And a few extra surprises.

Of course, in the light of day, it’s all very silly, and it can’t all be true. But when you’re in the dark, in a very claustrophobic, strange area, you begin to question whether the person next to you just touched your arm, or if it was someone, or something, else.

Haunted Underworld is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Schofield is an extremely adept tour guide, and you’ll pick up a couple of secrets about the wonderful city of Manchester. But be warned, it is definitely not for those of a nervous disposition. Or the easily embarrassed.

11 March 2013
Thank you once again Jonathan for looking after the group yesterday in the freezing cold! They said you were amazing - informative and interesting as well. Thank you Jonathan. I do hope I have more groups heading to Manchester. Will send them to you when they do! Best Regards, Angela, Experiential Learning, Fortune Travel, Singapore.

7 November 2012
Hi Jonathan, I wanted to drop you a line following our Haunted Tour on Friday. Very simply put, absolutely brilliant!! Thank you for your knowledge and passion for Manchester. As a Mancunian ‘cemented’ to the City (I think Morrissey once said that!) it was fantastic to hear the stories and to experience areas of the city I guess not many have. I will most certainly be taking you up on the alternative tours of the City with other contacts/clients in the near future (I just need to earn a few quid first). Kindest regards, Andy T. Andrew Titterton. Director, for and on behalf of Studio KMA.

31 October 2012
Hi Jonathan, just wanted to say thank you for a fantastic, scary but informative afternoon. The children loved it, Matthew has come home to research Hannah Beswick and tell his dad all your tales. Many thanks, Viki Jolleys.

30 October 2012
Thanks we had a great day in Manchester. Jonathan was outstanding! Never met a better guide. Thanks again. Kind regards, Tiina Iranmanesh, Groups & Incentives, Scancoming LTD.

11 October 2012 - Pub walk in Liverpool
Dear Jonathan, I attended the Real Ale Trail as a guest of Grant Thornton last night and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of DWF for your efforts. My colleagues and I are thinking of future business development events and are considering one of your tours, probably in the context of the pub area around Tithebarn Street. With this in mind can you please provide me with information on costs and also details of what other tours you operate around the city? Andrew McGregor, Solicitor, DWF LLP, Liverpool .

29 September 2012 - concerning the National Trust Urban Walks
Dear Ellie,
I just wanted to say thanks to National Trust for organising Saturday's urban walk in Manchester. We had a great time and Jonathan Schofield is a wonderfully knowledgeable and entertaining guide.  We shall try to attend again and hope that this is a successful venture for NT. Thanks again to National Trust for a great day out and thanks to Jonathan for his encyclopaedic knowledge and unique communications style. Best regards, David Pechey.

30 September 2012
You are the best guide I've ever had in the world, great at communication and for knowledge. I suppose I should say probably the best guide in the world though like - you know - the famous Danish company Carlsberg's advertisement. Ms Anne Hedensted Steffensen, Danish Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

September 2012
To say the guests liked your tour was an understatement. They were bowled over. It hit all the right notes from how they fed back at lunch so thank you. Tim Newns, Chief Executive, MIDAS (Greater Manchester's inward development agency).

June 2012
Jonathan,
We had an excellent time during the underground tours last Sunday: excellent guiding skills on your part and both funny and gripping stories. When we come back to Manchester, we will definitely do another (perhaps The Uninteresting Tour) one! Greetings from the Netherlands. Kind regards,  Michael van Bekkum.  

Jonathan, 
The Beckenham Historical Society had a fabulous time in Manchester. Thank you so much for making it an exceptional visit which informed and entertained us so much. You guiding skills and your knowledge are absolutely top notch. I wish you could come down and take over London guiding. Thank you again. Vanessa Shelton.

Other endorsements
1) I wrote this article on Manchester Confidential, which also contains some lovely pictures:  http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/Culture/Architecture/Beautiful-Manchester-Beauty-Is-In-The-Eye-Of-The-Beholder Here are a couple of comments following that article:  'These guys were so lucky to have you as their tour guide Jonathan - and thank you for sharing these fabulous images!' Howard Bamforth.  'I can personally vouch for Jonathan's tours - an excellent guide.' CB

2) This letter followed a talk I did in December.

Hello Jonathan,

I thoroughly enjoyed the talk you gave on Engels last Sunday. I had always thought he was somewhat in Marx's shadow though your insightful research, considerable knowledge and enthusiastic appreciation of his talents has certainly changed my perception!

 I was wondering if you could please put me on your email list for any future historic tours of our beloved City. Like you, I love the place with a passion and take every opportunity to raise its profile. For many years I have arranged group tours for colleagues and guests and last Xmas, I brought 12 colleagues from the University of Hudderfield. We visited the Town Hall, Cheetham's Library (sat at that desk!), The Royal Exchange and The Cathedral. Needless to say, everyone cannot but help to fall in love with the place, its history, culture, achievements and people. Tomorrow, I am taking the same group to the Ford Madox Brown Exhibition, Rylands Library, Lincoiln Square, The Hidden Gem, The Royal Exchange, The People's History Museum...a meal in El Rincon before reviewing Peterloo through to the Suffragette Movement. Quite a challenge but they'll rise to it....they've been desparate for a second visit for months!

I am the President of The Albert Tennis and Sports Club on Old Lansdowne Road, West Didsbury...do you know it?  I was wondering if you would be willing to offer a contribution....along the lines of either a guided tour (your pub tours are now legendary!) or a talk on a subject of your choosing?

As part of the West Didsbury Festival I have taken visitors on local tours of the area...Wittgenstein lived round the corner from The Albert when studying engineering at the University....so I have some understanding of the keen interest that exists for more knowledge of our city's history.

Sorry to have rambled on Jonathan, it was refreshing to see you in action on Sunday and to witness your enthusiasm for our City was an absolute pleasure. I hope you will consider my request...whatever, the outcome, continue to be yourself and by being so, you'll be a wonderful ambassador for Manchester.

Best wishes, Ian Findlay   

At the same talk there was a lad in his twenties who'd been down on a training course in Manchester from Aberdeen. He'd loved Manchester. Said, "I've never felt so at home. And the talk you gave about Engels has convinced me. I want to move here, the place has the most amazing atmosphere."