Proud and vibrant, men in immaculate suits with sashes across their chests, women and children in traditional costume, they gather on the streets of Ancoats. The picture below was taken in 1955 and the occasion was an annual parade.
But black ribbons are also worn by the group. The reason is that earlier that year, Marco Rea, the President of the Manchester Italian Association had died. On the front row of the photograph in the centre (fourth and fifth from the left) are two little sisters - Marco's granddaughters, Lorraine and Anna.
Today Lorraine is the President of the Association - the only woman to hold the post. She is in charge of organising the same event which will take place this Sunday - the Madonna Del Rosario procession. Now in its 133rd year it began as a religious festival and now celebrates the culture and traditions of families who migrated from Italy and their contributions to the city.
