We’re 190 today! It was on 2nd September 1833 that a group of thirteen friends held the first meeting of the Manchester Statistical Society. From the outset, they decided that theirs would be ‘a Society for the discussion of subjects of political and social economy, and for the promotion of statistical inquiries, to the total exclusion of party politics’, aims which still hold true today. William Rathbone Greg, son of Samuel Greg of Styal, read the first paper to the Society on ‘the Present State of Criminal Statistics’ at the October meeting, since when we’ve discussed many other social and economic issues relating not just to Manchester, but to the UK and to the wider world. Notable members have included Sir Harry Campion, Sir John Hicks, Sir Arthur Lewis and Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw, and we hope the Society has contributed much to the life of the city region over the last 190 years.

But we’re not resting on our laurels, and we’re looking forward to the first meeting of our 191st Session, which takes place on Tuesday 10th October, when Richard Blyth will discuss town planning. We hope to see you then.