MANCHESTER Mechanics’ Institute has a special place in the history of the labour and trade union movement.

It was one of the first of a network of trade union organisations dedicated to improving the education of workers and the furtherance of their interests.

And its headquarters was the venue for the historic founding of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on June 2 1868.

The Mechanics was established as an organisation at a meeting in a Manchester hotel in 1824 and moved into its current Grade II listed building in Princess Street in 1855.

From June 2-6 in 1868, union delegates gathered there and founded the TUC to bring trades unions together “for the purpose of bringing the trades into closer alliance and to take action in all parliamentary matters pertaining to the general interests of the working classes.”

As was the case then, the Mechanics Institute is run by trade unionists.

Its seven rooms cater for political and social functions and meetings of up to 200 people. It operates as a not-for-profit organisation. Any surpluses are ploughed back into its work.

For the last 12 months the trade unionists who run the Mechanics have been planning events to mark the founding there of the TUC 150 years ago.

Harry Spooner is chair of the board which runs the Mechanics and is also chair of the building’s trustees. He’s been involved for 30 years and is enormously proud of its role as birthplace of the TUC.

“We are passionate that we retain control of the building in the hands of trade unionists,” he said.

“Some bright spark at the council once suggested that we could leave the building and go elsewhere. So I asked: ‘Is there another place where the TUC was founded’?”

The four-storey Victorian building is magnificent, but few people are aware of its historic significance, even in Manchester.

“I’ve always thought that the Mechanics Institute is one of Manchester’s most overlooked, significant historical buildings,” Spooner said.

“Where else in the world has the building where the world’s first Trades Union Congress was held — a building that is still run and managed by trade unionists?”

A lot of work has gone into putting together a programme of celebratory events starting on Saturday.

“Over 12 months ago, the board decided that we would celebrate the 150th anniversary of the TUC by holding a week of events in the very building where 34 delegates representing some 118,376 trade unionists met and decided to hold an annual congress,” he said.

“The week starts on Saturday night June 2 with a play, Spirit of 1868, commissioned by the Mechanics Centre Trust to celebrate the founding of the TUC and 150 years of union struggle.” The play will be presented by Banner Theatre.

Spooner said: “Starting on Sunday June 3 there follows a week of music arranged in co-operation with Band on the Wall, bringing some of its favourite folk artists to the stunning surroundings of the Mechanics Institute for a string of unmissable, unique folk concerts.

“My ambition, as chair of the board/trustees has been to have music in the Mechanics Institute. So, for me, the week is the fulfilment of an ambition. Our hope is also that we can establish the Mechanics as a regular music venue.”

A special edition of the Morning Star will be produced in conjunction with the TUC to mark the anniversary on Saturday.

On Sunday the first in the series of six concerts takes place. It will feature renowned folk singer, raconteur and entertainer Mike Harding.

Tuesday June 5 features acoustic band Oysters 3, followed by Dezi Donnelly and Mike McGoldrick on Wednesday, Kathryn Williams and Claire Mooney on Thursday with the theme “Women in Union,” an open folk session led by Martin Gittins and Bob Ashworth on the Friday, and culminating in a concert featuring Edward ll, Jennifer Reid and Poppycock on Saturday June 9.

Manchester Mechanics Institute is a key part of the history and heritage of Britain’s labour and trade union movement. On Saturday it will celebrate its unique role.

For information and tickets to next week’s events at the Mechanics visit bandonthewall.org.