Celebrating who we are .... down at the Library

Community is a much-used word but at its best is about how we react with others, how we look out for everyone and a pleasure in recognising the contributions people make to where we live.

Two additions 

And here I am not thinking about the great and the good, but to use that not very helpful word …. the ordinary person.  

Not very helpful because it has a hint of dismissal but does describe most of us, who just get on with things and in the process make a difference.

It is an idea that has exercised the local artist Peter Topping who is in the process of painting portraits to honour our local people in Chorlton.* 

He tells me “that for the next month the library is hosting some of my work featuring Chorlton Champions. 

Through dedication, leadership and tireless effort, they have made a lasting and positive contribution to the social, cultural and civic life of Chorlton. 

Their commitment exemplifies the spirit of community and inspires others. The exhibition will be added to when more people are recognised for their achievements. Works of art by Chorlton Artists. @everyone".

The exhibition has grown over the last few weeks as new subjects have been added, and today he messaged me with, “I’m thinking of delving into the past for some of our 'Chorlton Champions' to create portraits for the Library.

Euton Christian

Here is the first one of Euton Christian”.

Mr. Christian was born in Jamaica, served in the RAF during the last World War, and was the first black person to be promoted to a managerial role in the Post Office, the first black magistrate, and the first to sit on a Crown Court bench. 

To this can be added his role as a founding member of the West Indian Sports and Social Club in Moss Side and Manchester Council for Community Relations in the 1960s.

Many will also remember him as a keen sportsman, a neighbour and a father.

He was according to one source “an inspirational man who achieved many extraordinary things. He and his story give just one example of why we should celebrate the men and women who travelled on the Windrush, and the many subsequent ships, who settled and made lives in Britain during the middle part of the twentieth century”.

And his place in the Chorlton community was recognised in 2024 when Chorlton Civic Society erected a blue plaque in his honour on his former house.

And long with Mr. Christian Peter has chosopen Ida Bradshaw as his second painting.

Ida Bradshaw

She always styled herself the "unofficial archivist of St Clements Church" and she was my friend. 

Her passion for Chorlton's history was infectious and l welcomed her regular phone calls about some "new find" that she had uncovered from her trawl of the church archives.  More than that l often benefited from one of her discoveries which in turn found themselves into a blog story.

And Ida was many other things.

I still have her folders of art and craft work recording not only her own output but pictures of exhibitions and group activities.

All of which kept her busy and sometimes it was difficult to pin her down to meet up as she mixed church business, trips to Central Ref, and visits to parishioners along with Saturday mornings at some craft event.

Catherine Brownhill remembers, Catherine Brownhill "A truly wonderful lady Andrew. I was introduced to Ida through Chorlton Civic Society”. 

Four of the first

And along with our conversations on all things Chorlton history Peter’s painting is based on a photograph he took of Ida in St Clement’s Church which was reproduced in our book on the churches of Chorlton.

So as the exhibition at the Library grows you can catch  CHORLTON CHAMPIONS for the rest of this month.

P.S. nominations for candidates to be inducted into the Hall of Chorlton Champions are welcome via Peter Topping or Chorlton Civic Society

*Celebrating Chorlton ..... down at our library today, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/2026/06/all-this-month-there-is-selection-of.html