The book …. some poems … a cake and the mystery of Lord Haw Haw in Chorltonville

Now it might not be a zippy title but it does rather cover our book launch yesterday for “nothing to do in Chorlton Down Beech Road Looking for Chorlton Row”.*

Welcome to the launch, 2022

The book is the third in the series and as ever we have the Lloyds Hotel to thank who hosted event, and a special thank you to family, friends, loyal readers and the historically curious.

Melanie read one of her poems, 2022

This time we also had the poet Melanie Neads who read a selection of her poems and was on hand to discuss her work.

And Melanie also surprised us all with a cake which she baked.

It celebrated the publication of our new book and was iced and inscribed by Paul her husband.

As ever Peter and I kept the introductions short with just a welcome from him and the story behind writing the book from me.

Followed by informal chats more than a few jokes and an equal number of personal stories from our guests.

These are always a highlight for me because they add to the common store of knowledge about Chorlton’s past and on occasion set new research going.

Like the question from one guest about her family home on North Meade, which she said might have a connection with that Nazi sympathiser Lord Haw Haw, who broadcast from Germany with heaps of pro Hitler propaganda during the last war.

And then there was John Anthony who have travelled by tram from Rochdale “to put faces” to Facebook friends and meet Peter and me. 

Buying, reading and discussing the book, 2022

John Anthony is a regular contributor to the blog, picking up on stories I have written and digging deep into the background along with adding memories of his time in Chorlton.

Added to these were a whole set of reminiscences about Beech Road in the 1950s, an intriguing story about a woman property developer in Trafford at the beginning of the 20^th century, and Melanie from Salford Radio, who heard about the launch from Kay and popped down on the off chance.

Nor should I leave out the charming person who lives in that block of apartments which runs along Albany and Brantingham Road, and who was fascinated by the 80-metre installation which we were commissioned to produce to cover the builder’s boards while the development was being constructed.

Cutting the cake, 2022

We called it the History Wall and it took the casual visitor along the 80 meters starting with Chorlton Green in the 1500s and ending at Brantingham Road in the 21^st century.

So, there you have it. 

On a wet grey day, we came together to enjoy each other’s company and along the way shared a heap of history, with the prospect of some interesting research.

If you didn't manage to get to the launch and you live in Chorlton you can get a signed copy of the book delivered by one of the authors. Just email peter@pubbooks.co.uk 

Listening to the poems, 2022

Location; Chorlton

Pictures; from the book launch, 2022, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

*“nothing to do in chorlton Down Beech Road Looking for Chorlton Row” by Andrew Simpson & Peter Topping, costs £4.99, and is available from www.pubbooks.co.uk and Chorlton Bookshop