Description
Book SynopsisThis isn't a history of Forfar. Instead it gives readers an excerpt, a sample, of what life was like on any given day of the year in a community that has been both a traditional market town and a major manufacturing centre for linen and jute. There is no hierarchy in what has been chosen - World Wars are interspersed with Church socials and cycling events, the affairs of Forfar Athletic and Strathmore Cricket club, tennis and golf. The facts and stories all have something to do with the town, and often its place in national history. Along the way, the reader will probably guess that the author is particularly interested in football, cricket, politics and the Great War. The photographs are augmented by period advertisements from local traders and tradesmen, illustrating the development of the businesses - and the demands of their customers - created by the rise of the major industries.
Trade Review'An ‘exiled’ Forfarian has produced an impressive and substantial tome depicting stories and events concerning Forfar. He has used as his vehicle the months and days of the year to relate tales and incidents occurring on dates at any time in Forfar’s history, whether it be Andrew Low’s hanging on 17th March, 1785 or the induction of a new minister at the Big Kirk on 7th July, 1875 or a welcome relief, on 27th December, 1975, to Forfar Athletic’s recent dismal record. The reader must appreciate that while one page may be concerned with the 1740s, the next could be for the 1840s or even the 1940s. There are, of course, many references to sporting events, as David Potter is well-known for his books and articles on such matters. The book is interspersed with images relating to the affairs recorded, and has fascinating sections on advertisements by Forfar traders in 1890, 1904, 1910 and 1938. Any persons interested in Forfar’s history must add this book to their collections.', Alex Whyte.
