On Sunday ......walking the past looking for Martledge ... the forgotten bit of Chorlton

Martledge was that bit of Chorlton which was lost in just three decades, but will be brought out of the shadows on Sunday, when Andrew Simpson and a band of the curious explore our past in another history walk.

Barlow Moor Road looking out towards Morrisons,  circa 1880

We will encounter some dark deeds, and silly stories as well as a collection of Chorlton individuals and uncover an awful murder.

All of which will help explain how Chorlton-cum-Hardy changed from being a small rural community on the edge of Manchester into a suburb of the city in just three decades.

Meeting at the former Four Banks at the junction of Barlow Moor and Wilbraham Roads we will take a gentle walk past some farms, the old Royal Oak pub, and a very interesting block of houses dating from 1832. 

Then by degree out across the Isles to gaze at the sight of the old Chorlton Ice Rink, catch a glimpse of the Lloyds and the story of the Great Chorlton Burial Scandal, to finish at the Edge Theatre on Manchester Road

 The old Royal Oak, circa 1900

Along the way there will be  murder of young Francis Deakin in 1847, the Hulme potato thieves and the amazing Mr Booth who lived at Sedge Lynn and took some of the first photographs of Chorlton.

All of which will help explain how Chorlton-cum-Hardy changed from being a small rural community on the edge of Manchester into a suburb of the city in just three decades.

In those thirty years the fields, farms and market gardens gave way to rows of tall houses, banks, posh shops and a railway. 

So complete was that transformation that the old name of Martledge was lost and people referred to it as simply New Chorlton.

The Chorlton Ice Rink, 1907

We will meet outside the MR Floors Tile shop on Sunday September 18th at 2 pm.

The cost is just £7.50 which includes heaps of history, some forgotten people and refreshments at the Dressing Room Café on Manchester Road after the walk.

And the word is that the places on the walk are filling up fast .... but you would expect me to say that ..... still that is what ticket master says and who am I to question them?

Tickets are available from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/chorltonbookfestival

Location; Chorlton

Pictures; Barlow Moor Road looking out towards the site of the railway station and now Morrison,  circa 1880 and the old Royal Oak, circa 1900,  from the Lloyd Collection, The Chorlton Ice Rink, 1907 from the collection of Chris Griffiths