Always have a bit of fun with your history walk ………

So yesterday a gallant gang assembled outside the Lych Gate by the Green to walk our new book.

Doris the Dinosaur endorses nothing to do in Chorlton

The walk was the second we have done celebrating “nothing to do in chorlton" which Peter and I published back in November.

It has proved very successful, and our first print run has almost sold out, which is not surprising given that the book offers the reader the chance to explore six spots around Chorlton Green, discovering some interesting, occasionally sinister and mysterious events along with more than a few silly ones.

Moreover, we suggest places to sit, and enjoy the views while we tell stories of bull baiting, slaying the odd dragon, as well as the right way to play pooh sticks and of course some serious history from the Great Burial Scandal and the even greater Chorlton Church Schism to the building of Chorltonville, a lost stream and the man that stole our village green.

Our first walk the book attracted over 20 people, but then on the day it snowed, and if you remember Sunday November 28th it didn’t just snow, but came down in great lumps added to which the wind gave it an even more menacing character.

So, the 20 became ten and along the way we lost one, but the remaining 9 bravely walked the past, leaving Peter to mutter, “never perform with animals, children and snow”.

Yesterday was very different ………. the sun shone, and the two dogs that accompanied us were well behaved, and as so often happens we picked up an extra few interested listeners, including the family with the orange toy plane, which under Peter’s expert guidance, flew high in the sky, looped the loop and then humiliatingly took off in an odd direction much to everyone’s amusement.

So that was it, leaving me to thank those who came along and enjoyed the stories, Chorlton Voice who helped with the publicity and remind everyone that the walk was part of Chorlton Arts Festival which is on till the end of the month with heaps of arty things on offer.*

The book, nothing to do in chorlton by Andrew Simpson & Peter Topping, costs £5, is available from www.pubbooks.co.uk and Chorlton bookshop.

Location; Chorlton Green

Pictures; Doris the Dinosaur endorses nothing to do in chorlton, 2022, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

* Chorlton Arts Festival; https://chorltonartsfestival.org/