Hot summer days …….. with memories ….. of parks …. and carefree times

 It may still be August with another bank holiday to come but some mornings have had a distinct autumnal feel.

Reading in the park, 2023

Added to which there is that dampness which even when the sun does break through the clouds remains as a persistent backdrop to the summer we might have had.

The park in 1934

So as a  challenge to damp 2023 Peter and I have decided to remember those hot sunny carefree days in Chorlton Park with a new book in the series “nothing to do in Chorlton”* where we offer a selection of locations to sit and enjoy some stories as well as a few original paintings and a variety of old images of the places we have chosen for you.

Our new book on Chorlton Park, comes as it heads towards its centenary and will explore its long and fascinating history, including the now vanished open air theatre, swimming pool, and paddling pool and mysterious wartime air raid shelter.

And not to shortchange the park there was that magical “Pets corner”, the bowling green and the mound, along with the historic Brookfield House and the lost observatory and racecourse.

Julie and the goat, circa 1970s

So, lots to write about, but as ever the story is also about your memories, and these we would like to include in the book.  For some it will be rolling down the mound or paddling in the pool, before playing tennis or football on the football pitches.

There may also be some who can remember the air raid shelter, theatre and swimming pool.

Over the years I have collected plenty of memories of the animals in the Pet’s Corner and Julie has donated a picture of herself with a goat sometime in the 1970s.

The paddling pool, circa 1930s

And that is it, memories, stories and pictures are invited and these you can leave with us at www.pubbooks.co.uk

Location; Chorlton Park

Pictures; reading in the Park, 2023, from the collection of Andrew Simpson,  Julie in Chorlton Park circa early 1970s, from the collection of Julie Thomas, Chorlton Park 1934 from the 1934 OS map for Manchester & Salford, the paddling pool, circa 1930s, from the Lloyd Collection

*nothing to do in chorlton, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/A%20new%20book%20on%20doing%20nothing%20in%20Chorlton