Local history Books
The History Press Ltd Cradley Heath Old Hill and District A Second
Book SynopsisIn this second selection of images of Cradley Heath, Old Hill and district, great use has been made of the marvellous old photographs that can be seen in, and are still being deposited at the Sandwell Community History & Archive Service collection in Smethwick Library.This is an invaluable source of historic information recording the changing face of the area - especially the drastic demolition and rebuilding which took place after the Second World War. This book is sure to give local people a fascinating insight into the area''s past, and will be of great interest to anyone who has a sense of the history of this corner of the Black Country.
£12.34
The History Press Ltd Around Bury St Edmunds Iop Britain in Old
Book SynopsisThis is a fascinating selection of images featuring the town of Bury St Edmunds along with many of its surrounding villages. Robert Halliday has collected together over 250 old photographs, and these, coupled with his informative captions, give an insight into the area's history. Among the villages featured are Risby, Culford, Ampton, Stowlangtoft, Ashley and Wickhambrook. Around Bury St Edmunds will provide a rare glimpse of what life was like in the area in a bygone age.
£12.74
The History Press Ltd Draper J Lyme Regis Past and Present
Book SynopsisLyme Regis grew up as a medieval port, and re-invented itself as a seaside resort in the mid-eighteenth century. This book uses image picture collection at Lyme Regis Museum to illustrate the dramatic changes in the town and also the continuities. The illustrations are accompanied by Jo Draper''s commentary.
£12.34
The History Press Ltd Lancashires Historic Pubs
Book SynopsisIf you enjoy the occasional pub meal, a drink at the bar, or if you''re interested in Lancashire''s social history, you''re sure to find something entertaining in Peter Thomas''s introduction to the county''s pubs. It opens with a round-up of the history of brewing, pubs and ale-selling, and a section on Lancashire''s pub signs, though most of the book is dedicated to an A-Z of over fifty of the most interesting inns. Their history, architecture, ghosts and associated legends are all featured, as well as the exploits of their famous and infamous landlords and landladies. Peter''s exhaustive research has resulted in a gem of a book which brings together the proud history, traditions and customs associated with Lancashire hostelries; from ale tasting at the Plough at Eaves to the Britannia Coconut Dancers at the Crown Inn at Bacup. A fascinating journey, with plenty of refreshment stops along the way, this will appeal to anyone with an interest in local history, and those who''d like to
£16.19
The History Press Ltd Manchester in the 70s
Book SynopsisA book guaranteed to stir feelings of nostalgia in anyone who lived or worked in the city at the time.
£12.34
The History Press Ltd A Postcard from Shakespeares Avon
Book SynopsisFlowing for nearly 100 miles through gently rolling countryside at the very heart of England, the Avon is one of the most quintessentially English rivers in the country. Visiting places such as Naseby, Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Evesham and Tewkesbury, this book captures visions of the river as it used to be, from ye olde battlefields through to Edwardian tourism with, of course, plenty of Shakespearian history. A companion volume to the authors'' A Postcard from the Severn and A Postcard from the Wye, this book takes the reader on a journey in words and pictures through the five counties traversed by the Avon, using images from more than 250 postcards drawn from the authors'' collections - many posted to friends and relatives by some of the innumerable visitors to the river and its world-famous associated attractions. It is a record of how the river and its surroundings once appeared, and how they were immortalised by earlier generations of photographers and artists, printers and p
£13.49
The History Press Ltd A Century of Bromley
Book SynopsisA Century of Bromley offers an insight into the daily lives and living conditions of local people and gives the reader glimpses and details of familiar places during a century of unprecedented change. Many aspects of Bromley''s recent history are covered, famous occasions and individuals are remembered and the impact of national and international events is witnessed. A Century of Bromley provides a striking account of the changes that have so altered the town''s appearance and records the process of transformation. Drawing on detailed local knowledge of the community, and illustrated with a wealth of black-and-white photographs, this book recalls what Bromley has lost in terms of buildings, traditions and ways of life. It also acknowledges the regeneration that has taken place and celebrates the character and energy of local people as they move through the first years of this new century.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd A Century of Bexley including Erith Crayford and
Book SynopsisThis fascinating selection of photographs illustrates the extraordinary transformation that has taken place in Bexley during the 20th century. The book offers an insight into the daily lives and living conditions of local people and gives the reader glimpses and details of familiar places during this century of unprecedented change. Many aspects of Bexley's recent history are covered, famous occasions and individuals are remembered and the impact of national and international events is witnessed. The book provides a striking account of the changes that have so altered Bexley's appearance and records the process of transformation. Drawing on detailed local knowledge of the community, and illustrated with a wealth of black-and-white photographs, this book recalls what Bexley has lost in terms of buildings, traditions and ways of life. It also acknowledges the regeneration that has taken place and celebrates the character and energy of local people as they move through the first years of
£12.28
The History Press Ltd Hanged at Manchester
Book SynopsisFor decades the high walls of Manchester''s Strangeways Prison have contained some of England''s most infamous criminals. Until hanging was abolished in the 1960s it was also the main centre of execution for convicted murderers from all parts of the north west. The history of execution at Manchester began with the hanging of a young Salford man, convicted of murdering a barman on Boxing Day 1868: he was the first of 100 murderers to pay the ultimate penalty here.Over the next ninety-five years many infamous criminals took the short walk to the gallows. They included Dr Buck Ruxton, who butchered his wife and maid; John Jackson, who escaped from Strangeways after murdering a prison warder; Walter Rowland, hanged for the murder of a prostitute and the only man to occupy the condemned cell at Strangeways twice; Chung Yi Miao, who strangled his wife on their honeymoon; and Oldham teenager Ernie Kelly, whose execution almost caused a riot outside the prison. Also included are the stories behind scores of lesser-known criminals: poisoners, spurned lovers, cut-throat killers, and many more.Steve Fielding has fully researched all these cases, and they are collected together here in one volume for the first time. Infamous executioners also played their part in the gaol''s history: Calcraft, Marwood, Binns and Berry all officiated here, as did many local men: Bolton hangman James Billington and his sons, Rochdale barber John Ellis, and Manchester publicans Albert Pierrepoint and Harry Allen. Fully illustrated with rare photographs, documents and news-cuttings, Hanged at Manchester is bound to appeal to anyone interested in the darker side of the north west of England''s history.
£16.19
The History Press Ltd Flintshire Pubs Breweries
Book SynopsisFlintshire has over seventy separate towns and villages, the largest being Mold, Buckley, Flint and Holywell. These mining communities were once home to numerous public houses and inns, many of which disappeared with the closure of the mines. Illustrated with over 100 old photographs, postcards and other memorabilia, this absorbing collection offers the reader an insight into the life of many Flintshire pubs past and present, and highlights some of the changes that have taken place during the last century. Glimpses of the area''s working and social life are featured; each image recalling the fascinating history of this part of North Wales''s history. Flintshire Pubs and Breweries will delight all those who want to know more about the history of Flintshire''s pubs, their clientele, landlords and ladies and takes the reader on a fascinating journey into the past of their favourite local.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd The Vanished Railways of Old Western
Book SynopsisIllustrated with 200 photographs, this book depicts the rich scenery and history of the old Western Dunbartonshire railway, which stretched from Clydebank with its shipyards and other heavy industries to the north end of Loch Lomond, now part of Scotland's first National Park. The railways which served this area reflected its landscape; some, such as the West Highland Railway, are still in use, although parts have been lost and the nature of traffic today has changed substantially. Other routes have disappeared completely thus today's commuters on the busy electric train service from Helensburgh to Glasgow are frequently unaware that an alternative route existed for much of its length. An extensive network of industrial railways, often running along cobbled roads, has vanished. A railway which meandered eastwards from Balloch to Stirling across the flat farmlands to the Forth Valley was closed to passengers in the 1930s, and a short but busy branch from the West Highland Railway, built during the Second World War to service the military port at Faslane on the Gareloch, has also been taken over by the overgrowth. Other parts, now disappeared, had been built to bring the workers of the Glasgow area down to the fresh air of the coast or the lochs for a trip on the paddle steamers. This book will be a treat for anyone who remembers the golden age of trainspotting, and for anyone keen to capture the essence of those bygone days.
£12.34
The History Press Ltd Knutsford
Book SynopsisA new edition of this charming history by the late Joan Leach is long overdue and will interest all who know Knutsford.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Bloody British History Bristol
Book SynopsisMeanwhile, adventurers, smugglers and pirates sailed from its docks, and more than half a million souls sailed in chains, victims of Bristol’s vile slave trade ended only by the Herculean efforts of the abolitionists – Bristol folk amongst them.
£12.88
The History Press Ltd Bloody British History Suffolk
Book SynopsisDeath, Danes and disaster in Dark Age Ipswich! Smugglers, sea battles, U-Boats and invasions along the Suffolk coast! Read of the troublesome Bigod dynasty, the Suffolk city under the sea and the strange story of the thousands of burnt corpses that washed up on the county’s beaches during the Second World War.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Exploring Avebury
Book SynopsisAvebury in Wiltshire is best known as the world’s largest stone circle, but surrounding it is a wealth of ancient monuments. For the first time the importance of water, light and sound is revealed, and we begin to see Avebury through the eyes of those who built it.
£16.19
The History Press Ltd The Making of Chipping Norton
Book SynopsisChipping Norton today is a thriving Oxfordshire market town of some 6,500 people at the eastern edge of the Cotswolds. Its handsome Georgian houses and iconic tweed mill are well known, but the town’s history goes back much further, and by looking closely at its buildings and streets we can find survivals from earlier times.
£15.29
The History Press Ltd Devon Folk Tales for Children
Book SynopsisFolk tales from Devon, selected for children by a professional storyteller and illustrator
£11.69
The History Press Ltd A History of Amersham
Book SynopsisIn this entertaining book the author identifies each of the old coaching inns which provide ample evidence of Amersham''s importance as a stopping place on the great coach road from London to the Midlands. He traces the history of all the town''s tanneries and proves that Weller''s brewery is much older than previously believed and that its many maltings were selling vast quantities of malt to London brewers in the 17th century. He does not neglect the townspeople themselves, not least the Drakes of Shardeloes who dominated the political, religious and social life of Amersham for 350 years. Here he is able to draw on the unique knowledge of Barney Tyrwhitt Drake, a direct descendant. Julian Hunt''s well-researched narrative is both comprehensive and easy to read. Splendidly illustrated, it is a significant contribution to the published history of Buckinghamshire and will be warmly welcomed in and around old Amersham itself.
£14.39
The History Press Ltd Stoke Newington
Book SynopsisThe history of a fascinating, 'dissenting' area of London from late medieval times to the present day
£14.39
The History Press Ltd Piccadilly
Book SynopsisThe first book to chart the hedonistic history of London's Piccadilly
£17.00
The History Press Ltd New Forest Myths and Folklore
Book SynopsisThe first ever dedicated collection of folk tales from the historic New Forest area
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Peckham and Nunhead
Book SynopsisThis fascinating collection of over 200 old photographs of Peckham and Nunhead demonstrates some of the extensive changes that have taken place in this corner of south-east London over the last hundred years. From the busy Old Kent Road to Peckham Rye and the rural atmosphere of Ninhead Cemetery, these old images recall a time that is hardly recognisable today. These photographs record not only the buildings and streets as they one looked but also the people who inhabited them and worked there. We are taken into the South Metropolotan Gasworks during the First World War where women were working for the first time and then, by contrast, to the unexpected sight of dairymen milking cows at a dairy in Lugard Road in the 1930s. Horses may not be a common sight in Peckham today but horse-drawn trams and carts once filled the streets and the book contains one extraordinary photograph taken in 1915 when the army closed Lyndhurst Road and used it as a stable for dozens of horses. This book will appeal to all who know this area of London and would enjoy a nostalgic trip into its more recent past.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Around Whitby
Book SynopsisA collection of old photographs of the historical town of Whitby.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Droylsden and Audenshaw
Book SynopsisOnce part of Lancashire, Droylsden and Audenshaw are now part of Tameside Metropolitan Borough of Manchester. The varied histories of both towns see the transition from farming to an industrial community. With over 200 photographs, this book gives us a glimpse of the streets of the two towns and the people who lived there, at work and leisure.
£12.34
The History Press Ltd Norbury Thornton Heath and Broad Green Images of
Book SynopsisA history of Norbury, Thornton Heath & Broad Green
£12.34
The History Press Ltd Spen Valley Cleckheaton Heckmondwike Liversedge
Book SynopsisCleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Liversedge and Gomersal, plus a number of villages, make up an area known as the Spen Valley. This book, with over 200 illustrations, mostly from the author''s collection of postcards, covers part of the region''s history. In the early 1900s, the region was fortunate in having several expert photographers who recorded everyday scenes. Much of their output appeard on postcards. Using glass plates a darkroom and sheets of photographic paper with the word ''postcard'' on the back, their handiwork was purchased either for a means of communication of placing in an album. The work of local Edwardian photographers, including J. Hodgson of Cleckheaton, features strongly in the book. The images over an area whose woollen-related industries can be traced back to domestic sheep rearing on the green and wooded hillsides. The towns and townships of the Spen Valley reached a heyday in the first decades of the twentieth century. With photographs of mills, mines, railways
£12.34
The History Press Ltd Lindisfarne
Book SynopsisLindisfarne has captured the imagination of visitors and residents alike for decades. Also know as ''Holy Island'', the rich and eventful history of the area is explored in great depth in this fascinating account. The author takes us on a journey to ''the cradle island'' - the ancient shrine of Celtic Christianity - to reveal the treasures of the island. He tells the story of people and nature from the beginning to the present day, exploring the natural history and archaeology of the region. While best known for his television career, Magnus Magnusson published a number of books, including The Vikings.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Nottingham Pubs
Book SynopsisThis volume of photographs of Nottingham''s public houses includes many notable inns, for which the city is famous. In addition to the most historic hostelries, this collection of archive images also records many of the back street pubs which disappeared in the 1970s when whole district of the city were cleared. The majority of the city''s public houses at the time were tied to either the Home Brewery or Shipstone''s - the local breweries - the beer of each having its adherents.Also included are a number of photographs of landlords and their patrons either celebrating or drowning their sorrows at the closing of their local. This book is a fascinating record of over 200 of Nottingham''s public houses past and present, which will be of interest to both those who frequent pubs and those interested in the history of Nottingham.
£14.39
The History Press Ltd Wellington in the 1940s and 50s
Book SynopsisContaining a collection of archive photographs, this work documents life in the historic Shropshire market town of Wellington during and after the Second World War. It reveals how the people of Wellington coped with severe rationing and how they found enjoyment in a wide range of activities.
£12.59
The History Press Ltd Discovering the Smallest Churches in Wales
Book SynopsisA small church nestling deep in the countryside is instantly evocative. Why is it there at all? Whom does it serve? These are worthy questions to ask of the many picturesque churches that are scattered across our landscape. Many smaller churches have a fascinating history and wonderful architecture: these buildings deserve our attention and further study.This companion volume to the author's successful Discovering England's Smallest Churches covers over fifty churches in Wales which have naves of thirty feet or less. The churches are selected from the whole of the Principality, north, mid and south, and are arranged by county. Some, like Pilleth, are on battlefield sites; others, such as Llanano, have magnificent screens. The book, which is lavishly illustrated with colour and black-and-white photographs, drawings and location maps, will appeal both to those living in Wales and to visitors. Additionally, the appendices provide the reader with informa
£16.14
The History Press Ltd Royal Leamington Spa Revisited
Book SynopsisFeaturing over 200 photographs and supporting captions that show what life was really like years ago, this book presents the history of the beautiful spa town that grew from a tiny village. It further explores the town''s history with particular emphasis on leisure and entertainment. It is suitable for locals and visitors alike.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Walsall An Illustrated History
Book SynopsisIllustrated with more than ninety photographs, both archive and modern, this comprehensive history of Walsall presents various aspects of the town''s history, from law and order and politics to transport, education and health and the history of the Saddlers football club. It includes the histories of those industries which have made the region famous, including ironwork, leatherwork, lorinery, buckle making and brewing, and mining for ironstone, limestone, dolerite and coal, and stories of well-known residents of the past.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Haunted Black Country
Book SynopsisFrom Brierley Hill to Walsall, Netherton to Darlaston and Dudley, this chilling collection of true-life tales covers the whole of the Black Country. Many of these tales have never before appeared in print. Compiled by the Wolverhampton Express & Star''s own psychic agony uncle, Philip Solomon, it contains a terrifying range of apparitions, from poltergeists and ghosts to ancient spirits, silent spectres, haunted buildings and historical horrors. This comprehensive collection will delight anyone with an interest in the darker side of the area''s history.
£12.34
The History Press Ltd Tyburn Tales
Book Synopsis''Carefully compiled'' in 1867 ''from prison documents, ancient papers, and other authentic sources,'' this extremely rare book contains the full details of the crimes, trials and executions of every murderer, highwayman, rogue and rebel ever to swing from the York Tyburn. From nobles such as Lord Hussey, Sir Robert Aske and the Earl of Northumberland (who mounted the scaffold ''with a firm step''), to notorious villains such as William Nevinson, Dick Turpin (whose right leg started to shake as he awaited the drop) and Knaresborough schoolteacher-turned-murderer Eugene Aram, it is an enthralling tour through the executions of the North. Including the last words and prison letters of many of the condemned, and laced with a grim humour (as seen in the case of the murderer who begged the hangman to check the rope carefully lest it break and leave him ''a cripple for life''), it will fascinate anyone with an interest in criminal history.
£11.69
The History Press Ltd Haunted Ipswich
Book SynopsisThe historic county town of Ipswich is home to ghosts, witches, orbs and poltergeists. In this new book, veteran local guide and researcher Pete Jennings takes the reader on a chilling ghost tour around the town, providing a journey into the unknown and an insight into the unexplained. From heart-stopping accounts of apparitions, manifestations and related supernatural phenomena to first-hand encounters with spectres and spirits, this collection of stories contains both new and well-known spooky stories. These stories represent the culmination of forty years of research into Ipswich's paranormal history and are sure to fascinate anyone with an interest in the town.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Bishop Auckland
Book SynopsisThis superb collection of over tow hundred photographs traces the history of Bishop Aukland from its origins as North Aclet to modern times. Auckland Castle, the residence of the bishops of Durham for almost eight hundred years, is represented, as are the market-place and the restoration of the town's superb Town Hall.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Bloody Welsh History Swansea
Book SynopsisSwansea has long been a busy industrial port and has always had an edgy history. Explore the hidden stories from its long and dangerous past, with tales of rebellion, shipwreck and murder. From Romans to the Red Lady, Viking raids to English attacks, deadly diseases, slums, cholera and Nazi bombs, you'll never see the city in the same way again.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd The Little Book of Cornwall
Book SynopsisA compendium of fascinating information about Cornwall past and present, this book contains a plethora of entertaining facts about the county’s famous and occasionally infamous men and women, its towns and countryside, history, natural history, literary, artistic and sporting achievements, agriculture, transport, industry and royal visits.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Bloody British History Peterborough
Book Synopsis`I Can’t Stop While There Are Lives to be Saved’: The incredible story of British spy nurse Edith Cavell. Including more than 60 illustrations, and with the history of institutions such as the prisoner-of-war camps of the Napoleonic era and the slums and workhouses of the Victorian age, you’ll never see the city in the same way again.
£13.49
Headline Publishing Group Our Glasgow
Book SynopsisThis oral history of Glasgow spans most of the last century - a time of economic downturn and eventual renewal, in which the many communities making up the city experienced upheavals that tore some apart and brought others closer together. It tells of the beating heart of no mean city in the words of the people who made it what it is. Piers Dudgeon has listened to dozens of people who remember the city as it was, and who have lived through its many changes. They talk of childhood and education, of work and entertainment, of family, community values, health, politics, religion and music. Their stories will make you laugh and cry. It is people''s own memories that make history real and this engrossing book captures them vividly.Trade ReviewIt makes for surprisingly satisfying, if sometimes shocking, reading * The Scotsman *'Dudgeon has hit on the winning formula of allowing the history of a place to reverberate through the voices of its citizenry' * Jenni Frazer, The Jewish Chronicle *'There is much of substance in Our Glasgow. It is written clearly and...it has strong individual voices...It is also brisk. This has its attractions as Dudgeon bounds through his topics with energy and...erudition...[T]he old Glasgow appeals, if not as a reality then as an idea drenched in warming nostalgia...One can look back in anger, astonishment or admiration. One can laugh at the troubles and be lifted by the strength of our ancestors' * The Herald *
£10.44
Alan Godfrey Maps ChorltononMedlock 1848
Book Synopsis
£6.11
Alan Godfrey Maps Bolton North 1908 Lancashire Sheet 8709 Old OS
Book Synopsis
£6.11
Alan Godfrey Maps Oldham South 1906 Lancashire Sheet 9710 Old OS
Book Synopsis
£6.11
Halsgrove Liverpool Blitzed Seventy Years On
Book Synopsis
£999.99
Halsgrove Derbyshire Unusual Quirky
Book Synopsis
£17.99
University of Exeter Press Cornwall A History
Book SynopsisA new edition of Philip Payton's modern classic Cornwall: A History, published now by University of Exeter Press, telling the story of Cornwall from earliest times to the present day. This edition incorporates the latest research and brings the story of Cornwall right up to date, examining the events and debates of the early twenty-first century.Trade ReviewPhilip Payton is the leader of a new generation of historians exploring Cornwall's ambivalent position within the English state, and questioning the view of Cornwall as 'just another English county'. In this book he argues the case for the Cornish as a separate Celtic people, fully deserving a history of their own, and amply succeeds in his stated aim of bringing that history to the widest possible audience. * Professor Mark Stoyle, University of Southampton *[. . .] a new edition of Cornwall: A History is very welcome indeed. It is a key text for anyone working on the history of the Celtic nations, peoples and languages and a very valuable addition to the literature on modern British history. * Professor Christopher Williams, Cardiff University * from reviews of the 1996 edition: Will rank among the classic books on Cornwall, if not the finest ever published. * Western Morning News *Payton brilliantly brings together myth, fact, people, places, events…gripping. * The Times *Awesomely researched… the essential book for anyone who loves the county. * The Observer *One of the most comprehensive studies (by one of the most learned scholars) of Cornwall and the nature of Cornish identity ever undertaken. * Cornwall Today *Table of ContentsForeword Introduction Ancient Stones The Mystery of the Celts From Dumnonia to Cornubia Anglia and Cornubia ‘We Utterly Refuse… This New English’ ‘These is Much Danger in a Cornish Hugg’ ‘The Large Continent of Cornwall’ ‘So Many Brilliant Ornaments’ ‘If You Haven’t Been to Moonta’ Re-Inventing Kernow Whither Cornwall? Notes and References Index
£23.75
Richard Dennis Poole Pottery Poole in the 1950s
Book Synopsis
£7.06
Mark Davison Kingston in the Fifties Mark Davisons Remembered
Book Synopsis
£11.97
