The man who stole Chorlton’s village Green …..a lost stream …. and a church quarrel

Now if you had ever wondered who stole our village Green or just where the lost stream went, the new book “Nothing to do in Chorlton” will offer up the answers and provide you with a shedload of other interesting information to keep a pub quiz going all night and beyond.

The book has arrived

The book by Andrew Simpson and Peter Topping was published this week, costs just £4.99 and comes in a handy pocket edition which allows the reader to take it on walks across Chorlton.*

It fits into Andrew and Peter’s quirky approach to history and to the story of Chorlton, which is to look for the stories most history books ignore but tell us so much about how we lived in the past.

Like their other books it is designed to be walked, and came out of a discussion about “the sweetness of doing nothing”.**

Andrew and Peter doing nothing, 2021 on the village green

This in turn morphed into a book which would celebrate doing nothing while offering up opportunities to fill those empty moments with stories that might entertain, be interesting and set the imagination off on a journey.

But to fulfil the promise of doing nothing the authors provide you with six secluded spots around Chorlton and a mix of outlandish events, some that will shock and some that will bring a wry smile.

The book is the first in the series and centers around Chorlton Green, with a gentle stroll south to the churchyard and meadows, east to Chorltonville, and north by way of the Horse and Jockey to Scotch Hill. 

The lych gate, 2021

At each location you will encounter stories like the awful burial scandal, the great Chorlton Church schism along with the the Highland visitation and a discussion on just how to play pooh sticks.

And because such an important and delightful publication deserves it, Chorlton Voice will host a launch of the book on November 9th in Chorlton Library at 7.30, and Peter and Andrew invite you to walk the book on Sunday November 28th at 2 pm beside the lych gate opposite the village green.***

The walk will cost £5, and for all those that buy a copy, the book will act as a free ticket to the Sunday walk.

Leaving me just to slide in that sneaky Christmas announcement that the book is the perfect size to fit in a Christmas stocking.

And is just the antidote to two days of festive binging, providing all you will need to a slow and happy stroll on Boxing Day.

*“Nothing to do in Chorlton” by Andrew Simpson & Peter Topping, is available from www.pubbooks.co.uk and Chorlton bookshop

**”Il dolce far niente”, “the sweetness of doing nothing”

***Chorlton Voice, was Chorlton Civic Society