Help us restore a bit of Chorlton’s lost story …...

Many of you will be familiar with the large “History Wall” which for over a year fronted the building site on what had been Chorlton Swimming Baths on Manchester Road.

It was a special commission and told the story of the Baths and the surrounding area, describing the transition from fields and farms to the rows of shops and houses we know today.

They were produced by the historian Andrew Simpson and artist Peter Topping.

There were three panels super imposed on to a painting of the Baths by Peter.

Each panel described part of the area’s history.  

So, panel one focused on the opening of the Baths in 1929 and its changing role from a place just to swim and enjoy the pleasures of a Turkish Bath to its years as a Leisure Centre offering a range of sporting activities.

The remaining two panels explored the wider story of this bit of Chorlton, and in particular described the field network, and the coming of that other municipal enterprise which was Chorlton Library.

My favourite of the three is the second with those wonderful field names of Horse Field, Hulme Marsh, Oswald Field and Gilbury Marsh.

And now with the redevelopment almost compete and the first residents preparing to move in, the History Wall is seeking a new home.

That home is close by on the wall of another block of apartments placed at right angles to Manchester Road commanding a prime location opposite Unicorn the food co-op. 

Sadly, one of the panels was damaged during its removal from the construction site.

And so, we are now seeking funding to replace the lost panel, enabling all three to go back on display and providing plenty more people the opportunity to read the “History Wall” and learn about a bit of our lost history.

It is estimated the cost of replacing the damaged including delivery and fitting will be £359.

For further information contact events@chorltonarts.org

Location; Manchester Road

Pictures; Three panels ... The History Wall, and the site of the History Wall