Walk Chorlton's past ..... tomorrow ..... searching for the vanished Martedge

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 curiuos explore our past in another history walk.

Redgates Farm, circa 1900, knocked down for Chorlton Library

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

Renshaw's Buildings, 2011, built circa 1830 now under the Royal Oak

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.

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 interesting people and refreshments at the Dressing Room Café on Manchester Road after the walk.

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

Location; Chorlton

Pictures; Redgates, Farm, circa 1900, from the collection of Carolyn Willits,  Red Gates Farm circa 1830, reproduced as a drawing by Bari Sparshot, 2011