It’s easy to become smug about living in Chorlton, especially when you consider the amount of things that usually go on in the township.
Leaving aside the lock down, during the last two decades, there have been the regular Arts Festival and Chorlton Book Week, along with the Beer Festival, and stretching back there was the Beech Road Festival, the Big Green Festival and the 80-meter installation on the corner of Albany and Brantingham Roads, which celebrated the history of Chorlton in 16 giant panels, and was popularly known as the History Walk.
Nor is this a new development. Back in 1910 Harry Kemp’s Almanack and Handbook, listed 47 different political, cultural and sporting associations and clubs across the old township.
Our brass band was one of the oldest in the area, dating back to the 1820s, and apart from one hiccup remained a feature until 1945.
All of which has been prompted by the appearance of the big signs for this year’s Chorlton Arts Festival.
The posters have a prominent position the railings of the Rec, directly opposite our house, and advertise the event which this year will last from September 11-19th.
I could say more but the poster say it all.
So for those who want a bit more history, there was the Public Hall which shared the same building as the Con Club on Wilbraham Road, and various church halls, all of which offered venues for our local amateur dramatic societies, musical groups and comic performances.
And yes a young John Thaw did perform in the Public Hall on Wilbraham Road, which also hosted some of the best local jazz and folk music in its day, the Rec has been home to another of other festivals including the Peace Festival back in 1984
Location; Chorlton
Pictures; Arts festival banner, 2021, and Harry Kemp’s Almanack and Handbook, 1910 from the collection of Andrew Simpson, and the Peace Festival, 1984, from the collection of Tony Walker
Great story. Thanks Mr S
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