Friday night Singing School
7pm – 9.30pm
Friday 18 September 2026
Chorlton Central Church, Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 8BF [map]
Join us for a sociable singing on the eve of the Convention..
Erin Johnson-Williams will lead a singing school on the theme of ‘Singing Sacred Harp: Past and Present’, exploring the rich tradition of Sacred Harp singing and how it continues today. There’ll be singing as well as social history, of course, so bring your green books along.
Chorlton Central Church is an inclusive church and welcoming community space in the leafy South Manchester suburb of Chorlton.
If you want to stay out afterwards, Chorlton is a lively and friendly place, so there will be somewhere open for late drinks – or you can head back into the city centre.
Accessibility
The venue is wheelchair accessible. The main church entrance (pointy, glass-fronted) has a gentle inclined path leading to the double door.
The community hall (red wall) has a steeper inclined ramped entrance or stepped entrance with strong handrails. The corridors and internal doors are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility scooters. There is an accessible toilet.
The big challenge is parking – there is, essentially, none. No car park at the church, no on-street parking likely, as it’s a heavily populated residential area. There are double yellow lines on the main street, but beware that it is a busy main road and bus route. Here’s the link on google maps to help you scope your options. We recommend sharing taxis or using public transport for the evening do!
Getting there
Located on the junction of Barlow Moor Road, Zetland Road, and Sandy Lane, the church has vivid red signage that you can’t miss.
Important note: There is no car par at or near the church! And availability of street parking is extremely unlikely.
It’s on the corner of a busy main road, and a highly populated residential street. Please consider taxi or public transport.
Chorlton Metrolink (tram stop) is about a 7 minute walk from the church.
To get to Chorlton tram stop from Manchester city centre you need the Manchester Airport service, or an East Didsbury service. If you arrive into Victoria train station you can travel direct. Otherwise it’s easiest to change at Cornbrook .
You can also take buses 85 or 86 from Piccadilly station.
The Bee Network Journey Planner can help you figure out what’s best for you. Please check it for up to date travel information.
Saturday night social
7pm – 10.30pm
Saturday 19 September 2026
Chorlton Central Church, Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 8BF [map]
Sort yourself out with food
After a full day of singing, you will need some respite before the next bit. There is plenty of green space in Chorlton, and independent shops to browse (not open late though) so head over there and you’ll be in the right place for some socialising in the evening.
Chorlton is well furnished with wonderful places to find an evening meal. If you don’t want a sit-down meal, grab some deli stuff from Unicorn before it closes at 6pm.
Here’s a printable guide of places to eat & drink in Chorlton.
You can bring your own food into the church once we’re open for the social, if you want to get takeaway.
The Saturday Social
Bring dancing shoes and money for drinks. There will be live music, there will be ceilidh dancing and a caller to provide instructions/oversee the chaos. We will run our own bar, so choices will be limited but prices reasonable and bar staff delightful. There will be both alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices on offer.
There will be a space away from the dancing for people who want to sit and talk or eat.
Getting there
Chorlton Central Church is about a 10 minute drive, 20 minute bus or tram journey or 35 minute walk from the singing venue.
Important note: There is no car par at or near the church! And availability of street parking is extremely unlikely.
It’s on the corner of a busy main road, and a highly populated residential street. Please consider taxi or public transport.
Bus numbers 23 and 25 run between Stretford (near the Metrolink tram stop) and Chorlton Bus Station.
There is no direct tram service from Chorlton to Stretford. It is easily doable though: from Stretford Metrolink travel 3 stops back towards the city, then change at Cornbrook. Head back down to Chorlton on the East Didsbury or Manchester Airport line. It takes about 20 minutes.
The Bee Network Journey Planner can help you figure out what’s best for you. Please check it for up to date travel information.
Manchester Sacred Harp 