One speaker … 28 guests … heaps of history ..... and you have a Library Walk for Chorlton Book Festival

The sun shone the turnout was excellent and so another walk through our past sponsored by Chorlton Book Festival came and went.

In between we did the story of the library, how New Chorlton came to be and on the way looked in at the Isles, the Ice Rink and Mrs Crump, the first women to speak on Women’s Hour.

Nor did we miss the bit of Manchester Road which was stolen, Lord Egerton’s new road named after his relative Wilbraham, and the emergency telephone installed in the Lloyd’s Hotel in 1881 to alert the fire brigade to a domestic fire which failed to stop the fire.

I would like to thank Gail and Lee from the Library service who did the admin and kept me from talking for ever, Janine and the staff at the Edge which supplied the cake and drinks and of course the 28 guests who walked the walk, asked good questions and said nice things at the end.

And a special mention to Juliette who asked the question which led me to talk for 20 minutes, and Ed from Welling who told us all about the connection between Keppel Road and the Isle of Man.

Nor is that quite all because in the twenty minutes before the walk started, I got to look at the faces carved above the pillars of Chorlton Library.

Location; New Chorlton

Pictures; Chorlton Library, 2025, from the collection of Andrew Simpson 

Walking Chorlton’s Past ….. book the date

Location; Chorlton

Picture; Andrew Simpson & Peter Topping

When history is fun …. free ….. and just a short trip away

We are entering that special time of year when along side all the festive preparations to come, there is chance to take a bit of time off and let someone else do the entertaining.

Chorlton Green in the snow, circa 1984

So, with that in mind Simpson and Topping are offering up a walk on the village green, a mention of their third History Wall and the launch of their new series of books on  "The History of Greater Manchester by Tram", all of which we commend you your diary.

Working backwards, on December 15th, at 12.30 meet us on the village green for “The secret of the Narnia Lamppost ……. the story of the string quartet and the history of four pubs”.

The plan is simple.  Andrew and Peter will explore tales of the odd, the scandalous and the bizarre taking in some local historic landmarks, more than a few interesting people, and of course our four local pubs.

Tales from the Horse and Jockey, 2024

In the course of which we will look for the missing plaque to a murdered policeman in the Bowling Green, wonder why the Methodists were cheated of their Sunday school on the site of the Beech Inn, and ask who was Trevor at the Trevor Arms?  

The Third History Wall, Manchester Road, 2024

And we will end inside the Horse and Jockey who will be our hosts as we round off with tales of suspected murder, the arrest of a prize fighter and the man who stole the village green.

For those who can’t wait for that event, there is the third Chorlton History Wall which fronts the development on the former swimming baths on Manchester Road.  Across three panels we tell the story of the baths and how the surrounding area went from being a small hamlet called Martledge into the busy urban area it is today.

Lastly, we invite you into the city for the launch of the "History of Greater Manchester By Tram", which will tell the story of all 99 stops along the eight routes of the Metrolink tram network.*

So far we have published two in the series, covering Trafford Bar to East Didsbury and Cornbrook to Exchange Square.  They cost jus £4.99 are available from Chorlton Bookshop, Waterstones, and Central Reference Library as well as us at www.pubbooks.co.uk

The launch will take place in the Central Reference Library in St Peter’s Square on November 23rd, starting at 1pm, and lasting till 4pm.

The Lord Mayor of Manchester will be present along with other civic dignitaries.

All of the above are free.

Location, Chorlton, Manchester

Pictures; snow on the village green courtesy of Tony Walker circa 1984, The Third History Wall Manchester, Road, 2024, from Peter Topping, and inside the Horse and Jockey, 2024, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

*A new book on the History of Greater Manchester By Tram, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/A%20new%20book%20on%20the%20History%20of%20Greater%20Manchester%20by%20Tram

Chorlton’s Hall of Fame goes out to ……

So, on a day which pretty much rained all the time the Chorlton Hall of Fame inducts the 27 guests, two friends of the Chorlton Book Festival and my two friends who joined today’s History Walk.

Me and an umbrella, 2024

Not only did they turn up at the Narnia Lamppost at 2 pm, braved the rain and accepted the change of itinerary due to the graveyard being closed but stayed the course.

Gail and Mathew from the book festival saw that everyone stayed safe, Bill chose Chorlton instead of a “dry” Trafford history festival held indoors, and Juliette came with wellies and camera from Stretford.

Juliette caught me in full stride on the green managing to include the necessary umbrella, but pride of place goes to her picture of her wellies.

Mathew also snapped away just minutes from the Edge café demonstrating that despite the rain we held the course.

Leaving me just to thank Janette and the staff at the Edge for the delicious food and of course the 27 who came along and said they liked the talk.

Juliette's fine wellies, 2024

Location; Chorlton

Mathew proving we stayed the course, 2024

Pictures; courtesy of Juliette Tomlinson and Mathew Benham

Walk Chorlton's past .... Sunday September 22nd ...... still time to book tickets ......

 Chorlton Book Festival is back and with it comes that ever popular history walk which takes a stroll across Chorlton, exploring our past.

The graveyard, 2008

It has been a feature of the festival for the last decade and a bit, lasts for about an hour ending in the café at the Edge Theatre for a light meal.

During the make over, 1981

This year by popular request we will be back in the graveyard by the village green uncovering the history of the old parish church, and the stories of some who were buried there.

They include Thomas Walker who campaigned against the slave trade, supported the French Revolution and was tried for sedition, along with a mix of the “good, the bad, and the ordinary". 

Along with the good and worthy, will be the Nixon family who ran a beer shop on Beech Road, the last women to do penance in the parish church, and the story of the Great Chorlton Burial Scandal.  There will be news about the efforts to improve the graveyard, and the restoration work on the Lych Gate.

All this and a look at the archaeological digs in the 1970s and 80s which offered up some gruesome discoveries, followed by a preamble via the village green and other historic spots to the Edge.

Narnia on the Green, 2022

There will be a few stops to top up the stories and heaps of opportunities to ask me interesting historical questions about things no one else will tell.

We will meet at the Narnia lamppost on the village green at 2pm and aim to be in the Edge roughly an hour and a bit later. 

Tickets cost £9.92  and include oodles of Chorlton stories and a meal in the café.

All events are bookable through Chorlton Book Festival, https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/chorlton-book-festival-2024-3536319

Location; Chorlton Green

Pictures;  Chorlton graveyard, and village green 1978- 2022 from the collection of Andrew Simpson

Walk the Chorlton history walk with Andrew Simpson ……Sunday September the 22nd …..

Chorlton Book Festival is back and with it comes that ever popular history walk which takes a stroll across Chorlton, exploring our past.

The graveyard, 2008

It has been a feature of the festival for the last decade and a bit, lasts for about an hour ending in the café at the Edge Theatre for a light meal.

During the make over, 1981

This year by popular request we will be back in the graveyard by the village green uncovering the history of the old parish church, and the stories of some who were buried there.

They include Thomas Walker who campaigned against the slave trade, supported the French Revolution and was tried for sedition, along with a mix of the “good, the bad, and the ordinary". 

Along with the good and worthy, will be the Nixon family who ran a beer shop on Beech Road, the last women to do penance in the parish church, and the story of the Great Chorlton Burial Scandal.  There will be news about the efforts to improve the graveyard, and the restoration work on the Lych Gate.

All this and a look at the archaeological digs in the 1970s and 80s which offered up some gruesome discoveries, followed by a preamble via the village green and other historic spots to the Edge.

Narnia on the Green, 2022

There will be a few stops to top up the stories and heaps of opportunities to ask me interesting historical questions about things no one else will tell.

We will meet at the Narnia lamppost on the village green at 2pm and aim to be in the Edge roughly an hour and a bit later. 

Tickets cost £9.92  and include oodles of Chorlton stories and a meal in the café.

All events are bookable through Chorlton Book Festival, https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/chorlton-book-festival-2024-3536319

But it would be remiss of me if I didn't mention some of the events I will be attending.

On September 21st in the Central Church at 7.30, Brian Groom will be talking about his new book on the history of Manchester.

On the 24 between 12-2pm at Benito Lounge, Jo Somerset will introduce "Mission for to find Mun which is aimed at children  Chorlton and is an " introduction to the adventures of Isla and Lac in a mission that takes them 500 miles from home to an island of secrets. 

Set on a remote Scottish island, the novel explores climate activism, heritage, disability, betrayal and family secrecy. 

Fighting hostile weather, wild elements and suspicious adults, they find Mum and discover her secret about their missing Dad"

And lastly Juliette Tomlinson will be at the Edge on the 24th between 2 and 4pm to introduce her new novel on the John and  Enriqueta Rylands.

Location; Chorlton Green

Pictures;  Chorlton graveyard, and village green 1978- 2022 from the collection of Andrew Simpson

Send three and four pence we’re going to a dance ……. the Chorlton Walk apology

There will be many who remember those silly two lines, “Send reinforcements we are going to advance”, which became garbled to “Send three and four pence we’re going to a dance”.

They have come to stand for any one of a heap of mistakes where a message undergoes a transformation as it passed from word of mouth down the chain of command.

And so, it was yesterday at the Chorlton Get Together Day.

I had said the walk was starting from Benito’s on Wilbraham Road at 2 pm and said so on the blog and then managed to tell the organizers 2.30 while still thinking it was 2.00 pm.

So apologies for all those who were looking forward to it, stood around and called me out for being fickle and untrustworthy, which on this occassion I was.

And a very big apology to Collette Crosdale who invited me to do the talk and who I managed to confuse with the timings. 

Nor is that all because when the story was posted yesterday I was still confused as to how the timing had changed and the story line left open who was to blame.  I now know it was my fault so I hope Colette won't cross me off her Christmas card list.

Lucky l don’t go to many dances.

Still there was one successful recipient who walked the walk with me and got the talk.

And Andy Robertson and his friend Mark who got two minutes at the end.

Still the day was not just about me, and despite the rain lots of people came out to walk Wilbraham Road and meet up, swap literature from the stalls and sit and watch the day go by.

And in the case of Cllr Hacking help ensure no rubbish was left on the road.

Leaving me just to thank the organisers.

Location; Wilbraham Road, Chorlton Get Together

Pictures. The things on the day that did work, 2023, from the collection of Andrew Simpson

Tomorrow .... walk Chorlton's past

 This Sunday you can walk our past with Andrew Simpson and discover just who you might have to be polite to.

Ploughing beside Beech Road, circa 1892

Now that is not so daft a question if you lived in a small rural community on the edge of Manchester in the summer of 1848.

For a start, most people earned their living from the land, and many of these would be agricultural labourers, who worked for local farmers and in some cases rented their homes from those same farmers.

Along with these there was a sizable group of small market gardeners, growing cash crops for the Manchester markets on one to nine acres of land which they rented from a handful of landowners.

Charles Clarke blacksmith, 1913

Added to these were the tradesmen ranging from the blacksmith and wheelwright to shopkeepers, carpenters and dressmakers all of whom were dependent on both the farmers and the “people of plenty”.

And even some of the more prosperous, who after 1832 commanded a vote in General Elections, might think carefully about voting for an election candidate who was not the preferred and stated choice of the wealthy and powerful Egerton family who owned something like 67% of all the land in Chorlton.

So, the question of who you should be polite to in 1848 was a serious one which might cost your livelihood and your home.

And that will be the theme of this walk through Chorlton’s past which is part of Chorlton Book Festival, and this year coincides with Chorlton Arts Festival. *

Along the way there will be some tales of dark deeds, mixed with the everyday life of farmers, agricultural workers and their families, and a nod to the posh residents who must be treated with upmost politeness.

We were a small rural community of just 761 people, spread out in a number of hamlets. 

On the northern boundary was Martledge, south of Chorlton Brook was Hardy and at the centre was Chorlton itself.

St Clements by the green circa 1870s

Smaller communities in some cases just a few houses were scattered in between.  And as if to underline a dependence on the land, each of these small communities were separated by fields and orchards.

And so today we will take a walk down Chorlton Row, from Barlow Moore Lane, stopping to look at the big house, several cottages, some interesting fields and of course the smithy, the Wesleyan chapel and a beer house.

Along the way we may encounter a few people it would be prudent to be polite too, and plenty who are too busy to pass the time of day.

Having reached Chorlton Green there will be a brief stop to survey the old church, the two pubs, and three farmhouses, along with assorted wattle and daub cottages, and the village school.

Mr. Higginbotham bringing in  the harvest from the Meadows, undated

After which we will head north, visiting another 18th century farm cottage before crossing the Rough Leech Gutter at High Lane, hard by Scotch Corner and that local beauty point known as Pits Brow,  finishing at the site of the ancient Ash Tree “at the foot of which a certain man engaged in prayer each day".**

So, there will be plenty to see, and much that will tell us about what it was like to live in a small rural community, just 3½ miles from the smoke, noise and enterprise of Manchester.

Assemble at the corner of Beech Road and Barlow Moor Road at 2pm on Sunday September 22nd.***

The walk will conclude after much history and a degree of fun at the Edge for refreshments.

Pictures; ploughing on Beech Road, circa 1890, and harvesting on the meadows, courtesy of Mr. Higginbotham, from the Lloyd collection, and detail from the 1854 OS map for Lancashire by kind permission of Digital Archives Association, http://www.digitalarchives.co.uk/ old St Clement’s Church circa 1870s from the collection of Tony Walker

*Chorlton Book Festival, September 15th to the September 23rd https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/chorlton-book-festival-2023-2326249

**Ellwood, Thomas Chapter 4, History of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, South Manchester Gazette, November 28, 1885

*** Walking Chorlton’s Past, Sunday September 17th. 

Tickets are £8.50  include tea and cakes at the Edge Theatre cafe afterwards.

Tickets available from https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-the-pastwith-andrew-simpson-tickets-664593165047?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1 

Free souvinir booklet when you join Andrew Simpson to walk Chorlton's History

Yes this much sought after souvenir of a bit of our history is free when you join us to discover who you would have had to be polite to in the summer of 1848 along with a few murky stories, some vanished buildings and Mr. Gratrix's pipe.

It's a gentle stroll along Beech Road and down to the village Green and finishing at the Edge.

This is one of the events sponsored by Manchester Libraries during Chorlton Book Festival. *

Assemble at the corner of Beech Road and Barlow Moor Road at 2pm on Sunday September 22nd.

The walk will conclude after much history and a degree of fun at the Edge for refreshments.

Tickets are £8.50  include tea and cakes at the Edge Theatre cafe afterwards.

Tickets available from https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-the-pastwith-andrew-simpson-tickets-664593165047?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1 

*Chorlton Book Festival, September 15th to the September 23rd https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/chorlton-book-festival-2023-2326249

Walking Chorlton’s past in 1848 .... the history tour down Beech Road … Sunday September 17th

This Sunday you can walk our past with Andrew Simpson and discover just who you might have to be polite to.

Ploughing beside Beech Road, circa 1892

Now that is not so daft a question if you lived in a small rural community on the edge of Manchester in the summer of 1848.

For a start, most people earned their living from the land, and many of these would be agricultural labourers, who worked for local farmers and in some cases rented their homes from those same farmers.

Along with these there was a sizable group of small market gardeners, growing cash crops for the Manchester markets on one to nine acres of land which they rented from a handful of landowners.

Charles Clarke blacksmith, 1913

Added to these were the tradesmen ranging from the blacksmith and wheelwright to shopkeepers, carpenters and dressmakers all of whom were dependent on both the farmers and the “people of plenty”.

And even some of the more prosperous, who after 1832 commanded a vote in General Elections, might think carefully about voting for an election candidate who was not the preferred and stated choice of the wealthy and powerful Egerton family who owned something like 67% of all the land in Chorlton.

So, the question of who you should be polite to in 1848 was a serious one which might cost your livelihood and your home.

And that will be the theme of this walk through Chorlton’s past which is part of Chorlton Book Festival, and this year coincides with Chorlton Arts Festival. *

Along the way there will be some tales of dark deeds, mixed with the everyday life of farmers, agricultural workers and their families, and a nod to the posh residents who must be treated with upmost politeness.

We were a small rural community of just 761 people, spread out in a number of hamlets. 

On the northern boundary was Martledge, south of Chorlton Brook was Hardy and at the centre was Chorlton itself.

St Clements by the green circa 1870s

Smaller communities in some cases just a few houses were scattered in between.  And as if to underline a dependence on the land, each of these small communities were separated by fields and orchards.

And so today we will take a walk down Chorlton Row, from Barlow Moore Lane, stopping to look at the big house, several cottages, some interesting fields and of course the smithy, the Wesleyan chapel and a beer house.

Along the way we may encounter a few people it would be prudent to be polite too, and plenty who are too busy to pass the time of day.

Having reached Chorlton Green there will be a brief stop to survey the old church, the two pubs, and three farmhouses, along with assorted wattle and daub cottages, and the village school.

Mr. Higginbotham bringing in  the harvest from the Meadows, undated

After which we will head north, visiting another 18th century farm cottage before crossing the Rough Leech Gutter at High Lane, hard by Scotch Corner and that local beauty point known as Pits Brow,  finishing at the site of the ancient Ash Tree “at the foot of which a certain man engaged in prayer each day".**

So, there will be plenty to see, and much that will tell us about what it was like to live in a small rural community, just 3½ miles from the smoke, noise and enterprise of Manchester.

Assemble at the corner of Beech Road and Barlow Moor Road at 2pm on Sunday September 22nd.***

The walk will conclude after much history and a degree of fun at the Edge for refreshments.

Pictures; ploughing on Beech Road, circa 1890, and harvesting on the meadows, courtesy of Mr. Higginbotham, from the Lloyd collection, and detail from the 1854 OS map for Lancashire by kind permission of Digital Archives Association, http://www.digitalarchives.co.uk/ old St Clement’s Church circa 1870s from the collection of Tony Walker

*Chorlton Book Festival, September 15th to the September 23rd https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/chorlton-book-festival-2023-2326249

**Ellwood, Thomas Chapter 4, History of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, South Manchester Gazette, November 28, 1885

*** Walking Chorlton’s Past, Sunday September 17th. 

Tickets are £8.50  include tea and cakes at the Edge Theatre cafe afterwards.

Tickets available from https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-the-pastwith-andrew-simpson-tickets-664593165047?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1 

When Withington stole a bit of Chorlton ....... today ... the story

 So tody you can discover the story of how Withington pinched a bit of Chorlton and how for almost a century people talked about the old and new villages.

Along the way there will be some rather dastardly individuals who engaged in murder, theft, and unruly behaviour, a thank you to Aaron Booth and the lost places of Martledge, Kemp’s Corner, and The Four Banks.

And at the centre of it all will be the day Withington stole Houghend from us, followed by the equally appalling disappearance of Martledge, with an investigation in to “All silk knickers and fancy cakes”.

The talk will be by Andrew Simpson ably assisted by Peter Topping and the magic lantern show begins at 1.30, today, Wilbraham St Ninian's Church Hall, Corner of Egerton Road South and Wilbraham Road, at 1.30pm and will last for about an hour, but by popular acclaim may go on a tad longer.

Admission £3 plus tea and coffee.

Another in the series of History talks at Chorlton Good Neigbours.

Pictures; Houghend, 2023, from the collection of Andrew Simpson, and Chorlton Park, 1934 from the OS map of Manchester & Salford, 1934

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

“All silk knickers and fancy cakes” …..and stories of grand theft .... tomorrow

 So tomorrow you can discover the story of how Withington pinched a bit of Chorlton and how for almost a century people talked about the old and new villages.

Houghend, 2023

Along the way there will be some rather dastardly individuals who engaged in murder, theft, and unruly behaviour, a thank you to Aaron Booth and the lost places of Martledge, Kemp’s Corner, and The Four Banks.

Wilbraham Road, circa 1890s

And at the centre of it all will be the day Withington stole Houghend from us, followed by the equally appalling disappearance of Martledge, with an investigation in to “All silk knickers and fancy cakes”.

The talk will be by Andrew Simpson ably assisted by Peter Topping and the magic lantern show begins at 1.30, tomorrow, Wilbraham St Ninian's Church Hall, Corner of Egerton Road South and Wilbraham Road, at 1.30pm and will last for about an hour, but by popular acclaim may go on a tad longer.

Admission £3 plus tea and coffee.

Another in the series of History talks at Chorlton Good Neigbours.

Location; Chorlton

Pictures; Houghend, 2023, from the collection of Andrew Simpson, and Wilbraham Road, circa 1890s

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

Sun …. flowers …. heaps of history … and a thank you to the Friends of Chorlton Park

Yesterday over 30 people turned out for our first walk through Chorlton Park’s past.

History in the Park, 2023

It was at the invitation of the Friends of the park and this ramble through a bit of Chorlton’s history, covered the missing observatory, and racecourse, a sideways look at the historic Brookfield House and even more historic Hough End Hall and of course covered the story of the park.

Questions were asked about the open-air swimming pool, the bandstand and the wartime air raid shelter with a tad amount of speculation about the possible existence of Dig For Victory Allotments somewhere in the park.

Such are the stories about the place that Peter and I have decided to make it the next book in the series “nothing to do in chorlton”.*

And we invite you to offer up your own memories of the park, along with  treasured pictures which might be of a night in the air raid shelter, a carefree day in the padding pool or a magic moment in the pet’s corner.

Julie and the goat, circa 1970s

There may even be the odd “fascinating object” which was long ago discarded but which might have its own story.   In the course of digging some of the Friends revealed that they had come across fragments of clay pipe, broken crockery and “dark matter” which challenged them for an explanation.

During the walk Tony shared his father's memories of a barrage balloon and anti aircraft gun which were sighted in the park and of plying football and cricket on the pitches in the 1950s.

You can contact us at www.pubbooks.co.uk, where you can also see all the books by Andrew Simpson and Peter Topping.**

Location; Chorlton Park

Heaps of people listening to the park's past, 2023

Pictures; in the park listening to a heap of history, 2023, from the collection of Peter Topping and the goat and Julie in Chorlton Park circa early 1970s, from the collection of Julie Thomas

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

**www.pubbooks.co.uk

“My money is on that horse” ……. losing a packet at the Chorlton races

To be fair you have got to go back along time to have seen and bet on a horse race here in Chorlton.

Chorlton Park, 1933

Leaving aside the obvious trip to the bookies or watching it on TV, “the sport of Kings” last took place in Chorlton in 1701.

Now, not a lot of people know that, and I had to turn to the historian Thomas Ellwood who in 1885 wrote, “Barlow Moor is celebrated in the Isthmian annals of Manchester as the scene in the seventeenth century, of annual races and other games, prior to the establishment of the Manchester Races on Kersal Moor.  

All that remains to recall the racecourse is the field bounded by Barlow Moor-lane and the left of the lane leading to Hough-end Hall, still known as the “scaffold field” where there was formerly a low or mound which served as a vantage point from which to view the contests”.*

Scaffold Field in Chorlton Park, 1939

That field was right in the middle of what is now Chorlton Park, roughly running down from the playground to Barlow Moor Road and taking in the football pitches.

Scaffold Field shows up on the tithe map of 1839 under its own name and only ceased to exist when Chorlton Park was laid out in the late 1920s.

I went looking in the Annals of Manchester but failed to turn up a reference to the races, but other sources suggest that “The earliest known race meetings in Manchester were on Barlow Moor, first recorded in 1647, and again from 1697-1701".**

But I may be confusing the Isthmian annals of Manchester, with the Annals of Manchester which was compiled by William Axton in 1885 and is a “Chronological Record [of Manchester] from the earliest times to the end of  1885”.

Or I might just have missed the entry.

Scaffold Field, 1854

Either way I think we can be confident that Scaffold Field was the site of some sort of horse racing in a time long ago.

And as such will be an item for discussion tomorrow on the history walk through Chorlton Park.

It will start at 2 pm and is at the invitation of the Friends of Chorlton Park starting at Brookfield House which is that white building at the Nell Lane. entrance.

There will be plenty who remember the paddling pool, and the pets’ corner, but few who now know that beside the paddling pool there was a large open air swimming bath, a band stand with a covered seating area, and that during the last world war the park had its own air raid shelters.

Added to that the historic records suggest there was a racecourse and an observatory, which fit nicely with stories of Brookfield House, which dates back into the 18th century, and was once home to the son of Francis Deakin who had been brutally murdered in a beer house on Manchester Road in 1847.

Looking towards Scaffold Field from Nell Lane, undated

And for those who want more, the Friends of Chorlton Park have made the invitation as part of Chorlton Open Gardens and will be fundraising for the charity Freedom from Torture.

Location; Chorlton Park****

Pictures; Aerial view of Chorlton Park, 1933, N.S. Roberts, m72054, and Chorlton Park, City Engineers, m09588, courtesy of Manchester Libraries, Information and Archives, Manchester City Council,http://images.manchester.gov.uk/index.php?session=pass, looking across to Scaffold Field, undated, from the Lloyd Collection, Chorlton Park, 1853, ,from the 1853 OS for Lancashire, courtesy of Digital Archives Association, http://www.digitalarchives.co.uk 

* Badger and Bear Baiting, Chapter 7 December 19th 1885, History of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, South Manchester Gazette

**Heritage Gateway, https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1405558&resourceID=19191

***The Friends of Chorlton Park, https://www.facebook.com/groups/CholtonPark

****Chorlton Park, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Chorlton%20Park