And another satisfied audience learnt the tale of Withington’s dastardly theft ........

Granted the theft of a bit of Chorlton by Withington took place over 380 years ago, but theft is theft.

The audience, 2023

And some of us have never forgotten that Houghend was appropriated by Withington in a land grab.

Houghend looking towards Barlow Moor Road, circa 1900

The land was a stretch which ran from Barlow Moor Road to Hough End Hall and was bounded by Chorlton Brook and what is now Mauldeth Road West.

Just why and to whose benefit is still unclear but as the story unraveled there was a distinct ripple of disapproval from some of those in the audience, and if unrestrained Eric of Needham Avenue would have called for its return and a hefty sum in compensation.

Of course the irony is that in 1928 the area became Chorlton Park which sort of set the record straight.

And I doubt with the passage of three centuries many will know of the crime or for that matter show any indignation.  

Except of course Eric but he was only one out of two dozen who attended the history talk at Chorlton Good Neighbours and even Eric was mollified by stories of the lost hamlet of Martledge which once stretched along Manchester Road from what was the Four Banks out towards Longford Park.

Wilbraham Road circa 1900

All of which I have to thank Chorlton Good Neighbours for the invitation to tell the story, which also allowed Peter to talk about the new initiative to set up the Friends of Chorlton Graveyard, which is looking to improve the site in partnership with the City Council.

Pictures; today at Chorlton Good Neighbours, 2023, from the collection of Andrew Simpson, Houghend, circa 1900and Wilbraham Road circa 1900, from the Lloyd Collection

*Chorlton Good Neighbours, https://chorltongoodneighbours.org/

**The Friends of Chorlton Graveyard, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1381914932356270