Coming soon ….. The Streets of Chorlton

The Simpson & Topping partnership are working on a new series of books which will explore the stories behind the doors of some of our most loved places.

And along the way will challenge that widely held belief that there are no streets in Chorlton which is an idea that regularly floats across social media and pops up in the odd pub quiz.

To be fair the last “street” disappeared over a century and a bit ago, but they did exist, can be found in the historical records and were once well known.

Names like Chorlton Row, Lloyd Street, Cross Street, Back Lane and House Yard Road have long since vanished from living memory but along with Pitt Brow and Lane End they were places where people lived.

Chorlton Row [Beech Road] 1854

So, the series will start with the ever-popular Beech Road which for centuries was just a twisty turny rural lane connecting Chorlton Green with Barlow Moor Lane.

Had you walked it in say 1850 you could have marvelled at the few posh houses along its path, caught a glimpse of old Mr. Gratrix in his farm house, chatted with Mrs Sutton in the garden of her thatched wattle and daub cottage and stayed to gaze at the blacksmith engaged in the magic of heating and hammering.

Throw in a pint in the Traveller’s Rest which was a modest beer shop almost facing the village green and you pretty much had the lot.

Andrew has begun writing the stories behind the doors and Peter is busy sourcing previously unknown old pictures as well as painting a few new ones.

If you think your road, lane, close or avenue has a story do let us know.

Location; Chorlton

Picture; Peter’s painting based on a photograph of Beech Road, from the early 20th century, Chorlton Row, 1854, from the OS map of Lancashire, 1854, courtesy of Digital Archives Association, http://digitalarchives.co.uk/