Search results for ""Amberley Publishing""

Secret Rotherham offers a unique insight into this bustling, modern South Yorkshire town through a series of little-known and forgotten stories, facts and anecdotes from its past. The town has an enviable industrial history: Nelson’s HMS Victory was armed with Walker cannons made at Masbrough, the iron plates for Isambard Brunel’s steamship the Great Eastern were manufactured at Parkgate Iron & Steel Works, and the firm of Guest & Chrimes invented the modern screw-down tap. Over the centuries the Rotherham area has also had its fair share of famous residents and visitors. It was the home of the Earl of Strafford, who was beheaded in 1641; John Wesley, the ‘Father of Methodism’, was a fairly frequent (if not always welcome) visitor to the area; Ebenezer Elliott, the ‘Corn Law Rhymer’, was born and bought up in the town; and the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams spent many a summer in one of the outlying villages. In Secret Rotherham Melvyn Jones and Anthony Dodsworth pull back the curtains of history to peer into the borough’s distant and not so distant past to reveal the forgotten, the strange and the unlikely.

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The Trickster-god is a strange and rather wonderful mythological figure who is found in folklore and legend right across the world, from the Norse Loki to the Greek Hermes to the Raven and Coyote of the Native American peoples. The ultimate ‘cunning fool’, he and the many subversive tales told about him have been studied down the years by anthropologists, historians, literary theorists and psychologists from Ted Hughes to C. G. Jung. But in the twenty-first century, should the Trickster also be studied by parapsychologists and ghost hunters? Nobody believes in gods like Hermes or Loki anymore, but that does not mean that people do not still tell one another tales about such Tricksters and their mischievous ways. They do, but in disguised form - the disguised form of the poltergeist. Belief in Trickster-gods, this book argues, has today been transformed into popular belief in Trickster-ghosts, with those noisy, disruptive, roguish spirits known as poltergeists fulfilling largely the same imaginative function as more traditional Trickster-figures like Robin Goodfellow once did. By playing childish tricks upon us, poltergeists appear to reveal our current world-view to be in some way incomplete, breaking the accepted circles of ‘official’ materialistic, scientific logic and provoking laughter at their irreverent audacity in doing so. Rather than being intended to frighten, perhaps the true purpose of certain ghost stories is in fact to amuse, perplex and provoke? Whether true or not, such ghost stories still function as genuine Trickster-myths, providing those who read them with access to a hidden realm lurking somewhere just beyond the rational, in which the usual rules of science, logic and reality simply do not apply. Perhaps in doing so they act as a kind of ‘emotional safety-valve’, intended to allow mankind temporary respite from the sometimes oppressive social forces surrounding us. Covering a wide global selection of reported poltergeist phenomena from ancient times right up to the present day, and then subjecting them to a process of literary, historical and sociological analysis, Blithe Spirits is one of the most unusual, original and wide-ranging books about the subject ever to be written.

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John Dedman first started to take photos of coaches in the late 1970s, mainly as references for modelling purposes. In British Coaching Stock, he delves into his superb archive of unpublished images and shares a wide variety of Mark 1, Mark 2 and Mark 3 stock. Beginning with BR Mark 1 stock, John Dedman features the regular day-to-day vehicles alongside photos of various types of restaurant, kitchen and buffet cars. Mark 1 sleeping cars are also included; so too are the XP64 prototypes that were still in service in the period covered. Also featured are Mark 2 and Mark 3 coaches, as well as the Caledonian Sleeper with its distinctive liveried Mark 3 sleeping cars and day coaches. Pullman coaches from the traditional older vehicles to the Mark 2s, as used on the Manchester Pullman service, also appear here, as do Royal Mail Travelling Post Office sorting and stowage vans and parcels vehicles – some of which are from the pre-1948 era railway companies. In addition to this, John Dedman includes photographs of older coaches still running on the main line today, usually in private charter and excursion trains.

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The Vincent Black Shadow is a name that resounds whenever classic bikes are discussed. The Vincent company were already advertising their existing Rapide machine as ‘The world’s fastest production motorcycle’ when, in February 1948, the Black Shadow was announced with a then unbelievable top speed of 125 mph on pool petrol. It’s no wonder that the bike has been a constant source of fascination since that announcement. Few, however, have defined exactly what comprised a Black Shadow and how today you can spot a genuine one. The Vincent Black Shadow explains how the model was originally conceived in secrecy, its development and subsequent production, discussing in depth those features it shares in common with the other Vincent models and those that differentiate it. Charting the details of the changes introduced in its production life and the modifications in the interests of speed or improved road performance that may have been done to it by generations of owners over the sixty-odd years since production ceased, Tim Kingham offers a lavishly illustrated and essential read for any fan of this iconic bike.

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The Russian Revolution dismantled the ancient Tsarist autocracy and led to the rise of the Soviet Union. The Russian Empire collapsed with the abdication of Emperor Nicholas II and the old regime was replaced in February 1917. In the second revolution that October, the Provisional Government was removed and replaced with a Bolshevik (Communist) government. The Bolshevik party, led by Vladimir Lenin, appointed themselves as leaders and seized control of the countryside, establishing the Cheka to quash dissent. To end Russia’s participation in the First World War, the Bolshevik leaders signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in March 1918. Civil war erupted among the ‘Reds’ (Bolsheviks), the ‘Whites’ (anti-socialist factions), and non-Bolshevik socialists. It continued for several years, during which the Bolsheviks defeated both the Whites and all rival socialists. In this way, the Revolution paved the way for the creation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1922. In this book Alan Moorehead gives a brilliant account of these formative events. This not only remains the most readable account of the revolution, but sheds fascinating light on the Western view of the Soviet Union at the time of writing during the Cold War.

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Leyland Tractors explores the story of the Leyland tractor, beginning with the orange Nuffield tractor of 1948, which was to influence the development of Leyland tractors in many key ways. The focus then shifts to the period from 1969 to 1982, when the name Leyland was used on the bonnet of a range of blue tractors, all built in Bathgate, Scotland. All the various models built during this time are looked at in detail, as each new product brought new innovations and improvements, such as quiet cabs and syncromesh gearing – as well as some less successful developments. The story continues when Leyland Tractors was sold to Marshall of Gainsborough, concluding in the mid-1980s when the firm faltered. Finally, we take a look at the legacy of the Leyland tractor, celebrating their endurance, and the fact that many have been restored by collectors, while still others are still out on farms, working as they were intended. Filled with original modern photography of tractors both at work and on display, and containing previously unseen material, this book is a unique addition to the tractor enthusiast’s library.

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Panhard & Levassor was a ground-breaking company whose innovations set the standard for modern motoring. Not only was it the first company to produce a vehicle with an internal combustion engine mounted at the head of the chassis rather than under the driver's seat, the entire 'Panhard' layout of engine, gearbox, shaft drive to rigid rear axle, set the standard which is still used today. As the author reveals, Panhard & Levassor can also claim to be the first manufacturer to sell cars commercially. Author David Beare follows the fortunes of the company and its two founders, the affable and portly René Panhard complementing the intelligent and somewhat haughty Émile Levassor. From the late 1800s through the two world wars, they continued to produce revolutionary designs, including sleeve valves, monocoque chassis units and the new economy cars with air-cooled flat-twin engines and bodies and chassis made largely of aluminium. As an important contributor to the design and performance of their subsequent road cars, Panhard & Levassor’s pioneering competition successes in early road-racing in the period from 1894 to 1903 are also covered, when the company was at the forefront of motor-racing technology and won many races. The story ends with the take-over of the company by Citroën, which ultimately absorbed the Panhard & Levassor creative genius into their own designs.

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The city of Liverpool is famous throughout the world. This once-small fishing village was transformed into a mighty commercial powerhouse, seen by many as the second city of the British Empire. In 1715 Liverpool created the world’s first enclosed, commercial wet dock; eventually there would be docks along 7.5 miles of the River Mersey. It rapidly grew into the greatest port and city in the entire British Empire outside London. Nevertheless, by 1980 Liverpool’s population had reduced by over half; its infrastructure and economy were decaying, and its political leaders were leading the city towards complete collapse. Today, Liverpool has the fastest-growing economy in Britain and has been a European Capital of Culture and is a UNESCO World Heritage City. Well-known local author Ken Pye takes the reader on a fascinating A–Z tour of the city’s history, exploring its lesser-known nooks and crannies, and along the way relating many a tale of the most interesting people and places. Fully illustrated with photographs from the past and present, the A–Z of Liverpool will appeal to residents and visitors alike.

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In July 1920, when the first Dangerous Drugs Act was passed, the UK drug scene was limited to small groups of Soho night people smoking opium and sniffing coke, and some middle- and upper-class people (mainly women) around the country quietly getting private morphine prescriptions from their GP. Now, exactly 100 years on, we have hundreds of thousands of people using a whole smorgasbord of different drugs. How did that happen? The nineteenth century saw scientific developments whose unintended consequences laid the foundations for the modern explosion of recreational and chronic drug use, which has in turn sparked a worldwide effort to stop it. At first encouraged by the commercial opportunities afforded by widespread ‘cures’ – many consisting of little more than heroin or cocaine – by the twentieth century a moral crusade had gathered force to curb this new social ill. In truth, although the dangers of drug use were very real, the origins of the war against drugs stemmed from wider fears in society. In this new book, the culmination of a lifetime of research and writing on the topic, Harry Shapiro isolates the different elements behind the war on drugs to present an issue reaching boiling point. Using a range of interviews, documentation, private papers, government archives and studies from the Institute for the Study of Drug Dependence, Shapiro synthesises a tale of crime, money, politics and exploitation bigger than any country.

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From its days as the city of 'Jute, Jam and Journalism', through postindustrial decline and late twentieth-century regeneration, to its current status as the UK's first UNESCO City of Design for its contributions to various diverse fields including medical research, comics and video games, Dundee has a proud and distinctive identity. This extraordinary history is embodied in the buildings that have shaped the city. Dundee in 50 Buildingsexplores the history of this rich and vibrant community through a selection of its greatest architectural treasures. From the fifteenth-century St Mary's Tower to the exciting new V&A Museum of Design, this unique study celebrates the city's architectural heritage in a new and accessible way. Author Brian King guides the reader on a tour of the city’s historic buildings and modern architectural marvels.

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Many children spend hours enjoying their first train set – but imagine that the hobby never runs out of steam and the train set develops into a lifelong hobby. That first set conceivably could have been made by Tri-ang (© Hornby Hobbies Ltd), a member of the Lines Bros group of companies. Following a brief history of Tri-ang from its formation to the present-day Hornby, Dave Angell provides an enjoyable account of the overall range in general, covering some of the classic models in detail, and providing an overview of changes that were made over the years, as well as the kinds of details that collectors should look out for when sourcing rarer items. This book takes a wide look at collecting Tri-ang, including the tools and parts available from Tri-ang’s network of service dealers, and some of the compatible systems that Tri-ang made to complement the railway system. Learn also where to buy items and discover the wealth of advice and enthusiasm in the social community that has grown up around collectors, both online and ‘for real’; but above all, look through these pages and enjoy the happy childhood memories they are sure to conjure up!

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'The Gateway to the Broads’, Beccles is a thriving market town in Suffolk that has been central to local communications for two millennia, prospering as a hub of trade and industry, while still retaining its cohesiveness and welcoming atmosphere. The historian Granville Baker wrote of his adopted town, ‘Beccles is as a city that is at unity in itself.’ While never wishing to be extensive, the town’s substantial church, two marketplaces and stately Georgian buildings testify amply to its historical importance. Beccles Through Time features images depicting much of its significant architecture, from the eleventh century onwards, as well as documenting some of the smaller but no less fascinating alterations in the town’s appearance. The changing role of the river, which gave Beccles the Saxon name for ‘the pasture by the stream’, is illustrated, and scenes of celebration and recreation are also shown.

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Norwich is not only one of the most attractive cities in England, it is also one of the most historically significant, with a proud heritage dating all the way back to the Iceni, who bravely fought the Roman invasion. At the time of the Norman Conquest, Norwich was the largest city in England after London and until the Industrial Revolution was the capital of the most populous county in the country. Much of this rich and vibrant past is still in evidence today. Author Michael Chandler takes the reader on their very own A–Z tour around the city’s history, exploring the nooks and crannies that have made Norwich what it is today, and relating many a fascinating tale of the most interesting people and places. Fully illustrated with stunning photographs from the past and present, this new guide to the town’s history will appeal to residents and visitors alike.

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The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is Britain's most popular heritage railway, and runs for 18 miles through the national park of the same name. The journey commences at the market town of Pickering, whose station has a recently restored overall roof. It continues through remote Levisham and into the spectacular glaciated gorge of Newtondale and onto Fen Bog, where George Stephenson floated the railway on a bed of sheep fleeces and timber. Once over Goathland summit, the line descends steeply to Goathland station, famous as both Aidensfield in Heartbeat and Hogsmeade station in the Harry Potter films. From Goathland the line drops at a continuous gradient of 1 in 49 to Grosmont, junction with the Esk Valley Railway and site of the busy engine sheds. Today, many NYMR trains continue to the coast at Whitby, a journey of 24 miles from Pickering, mostly on Stephenson's 1836 route.

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All too often, when observing our railways, focus falls entirely on the locomotives or multiple units that haul the many services that travel on them. Britain's railway wagons are equally deserving of attention, with many fascinating details of their own. Over the past three decades, there has been much change on the railways, and the wagons reflect this too. Covering an often neglected subject, John Dedman uses his fascinating collection of images to explore British railway wagons during this period. Featuring informative captions, and detailed images, this book will be interesting for both railway enthusiasts and modellers alike.

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Join official club historian Don Wright as he commemorates 150 years of the Reds, charting the lives of the players, officials and fans who have made this a world-famous club. In 2015, the same year that Nottingham was crowned England’s first City of Football, Nottingham Forest Football Club celebrated its 150th anniversary. Forest is the second oldest football league club in the world (after Notts County, which began in 1862) and Don Wright tells its unique story largely through the exceptional individuals who formed and shaped it. Inspired by Italian freedom fighter Garibaldi’s redshirts, the young founders of the Forest Football Club, who played on the Forest recreation ground near the centre of Nottingham, decided that Garibaldi red would be their colour and so it has remained ever since. Forest are the original Reds of world soccer. Featuring little known facts about players, managers and tactics, Forever Forest proves that the Forest story truly is the stuff of legends.

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Jane Austen is one of England’s greatest and best-loved novelists, whose works are still widely read and enjoyed nearly two hundred years after her death. Memories of Jane were increasingly recorded as her reputation and fame grew in the nineteenth century. This is the life of Jane in the words of the people who knew her; it provides a fascinating insight into her life as a member of a close, loving family and her works as a novelist. The Jane Austen Files brings these memories, in the form of family diaries and memoirs by her nearest and dearest relatives, as well as all of Jane’s own letters, together in one volume. This book also opens a window on to the England in which Jane Austen lived, and lovingly set her novels.

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The discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard in 2009 has captured the imagination and stimulated renewed interest in the history and culture of the Anglo-Saxons. The discovery poses some interesting questions. Who owned the treasure and how did they acquire it? Was it made locally or did it originate elsewhere? Why was it buried in an obscure field in the Staffordshire countryside? To answer these questions, Martin Wall takes us on a journey into a period that still remains mysterious, into regions and countries long forgotten, such as Mercia and Northumbria. This is a story of the ‘Dark Ages’ and the people who lived in them, but darkness is in the eye of the beholder. This book challenges our notions of these times as barbaric and backward to reveal a civilization as complex, sophisticated and diverse as our own.

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When we think of ancient Egypt, we think of the gods, the pharaohs and the pyramids. However, life for the average Egyptian was very different from this glorious perception and was not so unrecognisable from the lives we live today. This book tells the history of the ordinary population of ancient Egypt, using the stories of real people – often strange, at times amusing and ultimately very recognisable. Booth introduces us to a number of fascinating people, including Taimhotep, who married a man twice her age and turned to the god Imhotep to help her to conceive a son; Naunakhte, who disinherited her children for neglecting her in her old age; Kenhirkhopshef, a man seemingly obsessed with making lists; and Paneb, the ‘bad boy’ of Deir el-Medina. History is made up of people and personalities, and each of these characters has a story to tell.

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Pitched into the maelstrom of air fighting in the summer of 1940, twenty-four-year-old Gordon Olive barely lived to tell this extraordinary tale of courage and endurance. As Britain fought alone for its survival, ‘the Few’ of RAF Fighter Command took to the air grievously outnumbered, many reaching breaking point, exhausted physically and mentally by unrelenting, intense combat. Gordon Olive flew the iconic Spitfire for over 125 missions above London and the south-east in the white heat of the aerial battle for supremacy of the skies. One of the most heavily engaged pilots of the Battle, he claimed ten enemy aircraft destroyed in those frantic months. This is his story of what it was like to dogfight with Messerschmitts at speeds of 400 mph, experiencing G forces close to blackout, at one moment to be drenched in sweat with exertion, the next to be freezing at 25,000 feet, to smell the cordite of your own fighter’s machine guns and feel cannon shells explode against the back of your armoured seat. Illustrated in colour with forty unique paintings of the aerial battle of summer 1940 by the author.

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Bricks are all around us, yet we seldom stop to look at them. There is an almost infinite range of bricks and, likewise, brick colours. Years ago every small district had its own brickworks to meet local demand, and larger businesses began to develop alongside better transport links that allowed them to supply regionally. Many of these local works left a record of their existence in the form of their name, pressed into the frog of the bricks they made – in some cases, the only sign that they ever existed. This book uses the named examples to look at the development and history of brickworks in Britain and the wide range of bricks that they made. From the single kiln in a field to the massive continuous kilns and chimneys that grew in areas where the right clays were available, millions of bricks were produced to feed the demands of housing, transport and industry. Specialist requirements for bricks to resist high temperatures were met by using fireclay and silica rock for refractory bricks. Today there are far fewer producers, but their output can be enormous and modern works continue to supply the demand for the humble brick.

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From the third quarter of the seventh century when St Chad wandered into a watery valley in the heart of the Kingdom of Mercia to the Black Death, the English Civil War and the days of the Enlightenment when it was home to great minds such as Samuel Johnson and Erasmus Darwin, Lichfield has a proud and distinctive identity. This extraordinary history is embodied in the buildings that have shaped the city. Lichfield in 50 Buildings explores the history of this rich and vibrant community through a selection of its greatest architectural treasures. From its 1,300-year-old cathedral, the impressive Guildhall to the modernist Garrick Theatre, this unique study celebrates the city’s heritage in a new and accessible way. Well-known local author Joss Musgrove Knibb guides the reader on a tour of the city’s historic structures and modern architectural marvels.

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Wales is a land haunted by its own past, with a treasure trove of beautiful and magical places – some rarely visited. Chris Barber guides explorers to prehistoric megaliths, remote stone circles, burial chambers, secret caves, lonely lakes and ‘bottomless’ pools. Many sites in Wales are associated with King Arthur, Merlin and other remarkable magicians, the Devil, fairies and water nymphs. Linked with the Golden Age of Celtic Saints are primitive churches, ancient crosses, inscribed memorial stones, island sanctuaries and holy wells, which all have romantic legends adding to their mystery. With the help of his own illuminating photographs and illustrations, Chris Barber unlocks the ancient past, and evokes the wealth of tradition that makes Wales such an enchanting country to visit and explore.

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Newcastle-under-Lyme manages to combine a rich and often dramatic history with a vibrant contemporary feel. You’ll find no better illustration of this coming together of the old and the new than in the town’s diverse variety of pubs. From hostelries of genuine antiquity through to battered old backstreet boozers, and from cutting-edge brewpubs to craft-beer bars, this Staffordshire market town really does offer something for everyone. People have been enjoying the hospitality offered by Newcastle’s many watering holes since the days when the town was a major producer of clay smoking pipes. Today, that reputation continues as a teeming mix of locals, students and tourists look to quench their thirst. From bustling alehouses that maintain a live music scene through to traditional taverns offering a more sedate atmosphere redolent of a seemingly bygone age, this book will guide you through the town’s pub landscape.

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Rory Storm and the Hurricanes were one of the top bands in Liverpool between 1959 and 1962, bigger even than The Beatles. They shared the bill with the Fab Four on many occasions in their home city and in Hamburg, and their first drummer was none other than Richard Starkey – better known as Ringo Starr – who left the Hurricanes to join the Beatles. The Hurricanes were leading lights of the burgeoning 'Mersey Sound' and a pulsating live act, led by their charismatic front man, Rory Storm. Born Alan Caldwell, Rory was a natural performer who wooed crowds with his stage antics, once even diving from a swimming pool high board halfway through a song. But, despite the band’s huge local following, fame somehow passed them by. Frontman Rory suffered from a crippling stammer and, though unaffected while on stage, it seemed to deter record companies. As their fellow Liverpudlians enjoyed huge international success, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes drifted into obscurity, finally ending in tragedy. Anthony Hogan has painstakingly researched the lives and careers of Rory Storm and The Hurricanes in this fascinating and moving account of one of the great untold rock ’n’ roll stories, featuring over 100 photographs, many unseen before in public.

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Stroud History Tour offers a unique insight into the history and buildings of a fascinating Cotswold market town. An itinerary has been created which will lead the reader to view the many places of interest lying along Stroud’s streets, public areas and byways. Although intended to begin at the town’s surviving railway station, the route can be joined at any point and, similarly, abandoned where desired – perhaps at one of Stroud’s many street cafés. By following the proposed tour it will become apparent which parts of the town date from the earliest times and also how its religious buildings have altered, or been put to new uses. In addition, interspersed among the captions, are anecdotes taken from the author’s personal and family history. A numbered map is included to assist the reader in exploring the fascinating changes that have taken place over the last century or so in Stroud.

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Bideford History Tour is a unique guide to the fascinating past of an historic English port town. Sited astride the River Torridge, its two halves are linked by the thirteenth-century bridge with its twenty-four arches all of different sizes. Founded by the Saxons, it has a long and fascinating history as a port and market town. Peter Christie and Graham Hobbs guide the reader through its charming streets, showing how its famous landmarks and hidden-away gems have transformed over time. With the help of a handy location map, readers are invited on this tour to discover for themselves the changing face of Bideford.

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This is an all-new book written by an expert on Midgets and Sprites and featuring photographs that have never been seen before. In this book, the author examines the original factory specification examples of the cars and compares them with those in use today, as well as their derivatives. He also traces the evolution of the cars from the mid-1950s to the present. This includes the Austin-Healey Sprites Mk I to Mk IV and the MG Midget Mk I to Mk III, along with the 1500 MG Midget. The author also includes useful information for owners today or those who are planning to buy a Sprite or Midget, including information on buying and owning, clubs and support. Based on a thorough knowledge of the cars, this book is designed to be both informative and enjoyable to read.

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Who wrote the works of Shakespeare? Revealing newly discovered evidence, John Casson and William D. Rubinstein definitively answer this question, presenting the case that the man from Stratford simply did not have the education, cultural background and breadth of life experience necessary for him to write the plays traditionally attributed to him. Instead, the most credible candidate is Sir Henry Neville, who certainly did have all the necessary qualifications. A colourful Renaissance man educated at Merton College, Oxford, Neville's life experience precisely matches that revealed in the plays. Casson and Rubinstein take us on a breath-taking journey of discovery through the development of Shakespeare’s plays and poetry, compellingly drawing close parallels between the works and events in Neville’s life. They reveal how Neville’s annotated library books, manuscripts, notebooks and letters show he was the hidden author, who survived dangerous political times by keeping his authorship secret. The book contains a great deal of remarkable new evidence, expertly presented, that will challenge anyone's ideas about who really wrote the Shakespeare plays.

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At the northern end of the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Kidsgrove and Butt Lane were quiet and rural areas of scattered settlements that became an industrial centre of great importance in the economy of North Staffordshire. Today, the areas are largely residential, with housing belonging mainly from the post-war era onwards. Coal mines and ironworks changed the landscape and population and housing increased; development by the Trent and Mersey Canal and the arrival of the railway allowed the area to flourish. Nowadays, most of the heavy industry has declined and many once-familiar sights have been swept away. However, it is possible to recreate something of the atmosphere of this industrial past and its social consequences through the illustrations and detail that accompany them. Drawing on a rich store of photographs and historical information, this book reveals a fascinating past for readers to enjoy as local author Tony Lancaster guides us through the streets, revealing the changing faces of Kidsgrove and Butt Lane.

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Bagnall, Endon, Stanley and Stockton Brook are situated to the north-east of the Potteries conurbation in North Staffordshire and form a rough triangle pointing towards Leek. The busy A53 passes through Stockton Brook and Endon carrying traffic between Stoke-on-Trent and Leek, and also conveying many of the residents of the area to work. Despite being relatively affluent dormitory settlements, Stockton Brook and Endon do still manage to retain much of their village feel. Stanley, Bagnall and the original Endon village are on quieter backwaters and are therefore more rural still. There is virtually no industry apart from livestock farming in the area and such industry that was developed in the nineteenth century has now disappeared. This area’s main interest lies in its ancient churches and farm buildings, its eighteenth-century canal and nineteenth-century railway and reservoir, not forgetting its popular and well-attended Well Dressing event, held every year since 1845. Bagnall, Endon, Stanley and Stockton Brook Through Time guides you on a nostalgic tour of these four North Staffordshire villages.

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In 1968 Mr Albion Harman, the last owner of Lundy Island, in the Bristol Channel, died. His surviving two sisters, faced with a challenging future running the island, put Lundy up for auction. An appeal fund for £150,000 was started but unfortunately this failed. At the last minute of the auction Jack Hayward (later Sir Jack Hayward) bid the asking price and bought the island. He immediately donated it to the National Trust, who in turn leased it to the Landmark Trust, who still manage and look after this amazing wildlife and marine conservation area today. In 2019 the National Trust and Landmark Trust celebrate those fifty landmark years. Following on from the success of Lundy Through Time, author Simon Dell has written this book looking back at those fifty years and charting the significant changes in that time.

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The remnants of slate mining and quarrying form as much a part of the Lakeland historic landscape as the stone walls, heathered moorlands and Lakeland farms do. A significant number of local families currently living in Lake District villages has had some connections with the slate industry in the past, and a few are still involved in the industry today. Although many believe that slate was worked during the Roman era, the present ‘style’ of slate-working started shortly after the Norman Conquest to help build the Norman castles, abbeys and priories in Britain. The Normans were familiar with slate; it had been worked for centuries earlier at sites in the Ardennes and in the Loire valley. By 1280 there are references to slate being worked at Longsleddale and by the fifteenth century the industry was well established throughout the district. Using historic detail, photographs and captions, Slate Mining in the Lake District: An Illustrated History explores the history of the industry in the Lake District. Considering slate mining’s key role in the heritage of this iconic national park, Alastair Cameron also details its present-day operations.

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The appeal of the Beatles is everlasting. Millions of fans from all over the world continue to revel in the band’s eternal hits and their music stands out as one of Britain’s greatest cultural successes. This book takes the reader on a journey to the Fab Four’s home town of Liverpool and explores the significant sites and locations associated with the band’s unparalleled rise to stardom. We delve into the archives and uncover nostalgic images of Mathew Street, Strawberry Field and Penny Lane, as well as many other familiar landmarks and witness the changes that have taken place in the city through time. This book will appeal to any true Beatles fan who wishes to discover that little bit extra about the world’s most famous boy band.

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The Somerset & Dorset Railway, known as the S&D (said to also stand for ‘Slow and Dirty’ or ‘Serene and Delightful’), ran from Bath across the Mendip hills to Bournemouth on the south coast. Never a high-speed line, the main traffic for the Somerset & Dorset during the winter months was freight and local passenger traffic. In the summer, however, there was heavy traffic as Saturday holiday services from the northern industrial towns passed along the line. In 1962, John Betjeman travelled along the Somerset & Dorset from Evercreech Junction to Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea, making a BBC documentary called Branch Line Railway, in which he pleaded for the line to be spared from the Beeching cuts. However, despite an active campaign to save it, and the promise by the new Labour government that there would be no more railway cutbacks, on 7 March 1966 the whole line was closed. 2016 will see the fiftieth anniversary of the closure of this much-mourned railway; here in this well-illustrated book, the history of the line is preserved.

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The Wars of the Roses were a bitter and bloody dispute between the rival Plantagenet Houses of York and Lancaster. Only one man, Jasper Tudor, the Lancastrian half-brother to Henry VI, fought from the first battle at St Albans in 1455 to the last at Stoke Field in 1487 and lived to forge a new dynasty – the Tudors. Fighting the Yorkists, rallying the Lancastrians and spending years in exile with his nephew, the future first Tudor monarch, Henry VII, Jasper was the mainspring for continued Lancastrian defiance. He was twenty-four years old in his first battle and fifty-three when he won at Bosworth Field in 1485. Now he could style himself ‘the high and mighty prince, Jasper, brother and uncle of kings, duke of Bedford and earl of Pembroke’. Without the heroic Jasper Tudor there could have been no Tudor dynasty. This is the first biography of the real ‘kingmaker’ of British history.

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This is the ninth volume in the ten-part series of regional books examining the industrial railways of England, Scotland and Wales. Like elsewhere in Britain, changes have been far-reaching in industry, and Scotland has certainly suffered considerably in recent decades with the loss of its traditional coal mining, steel and manufacturing industries, especially many of those that were once located around its Central Belt. The diversity of the locomotives and the railways that once served industry in Scotland is a fascinating and neglected subject, and both standard and narrow gauge systems, most of which no longer survive today, are covered within the pages of this book. The author presents an array of striking images, both in colour and black and white, that strive to include some feel for the locations being studied, covering the broad spectrum of industrial railways that once existed in Scotland. These mostly previously unpublished photographs, accompanied by detailed captions, reflect the changing face of Scottish industry over the last six decades or so. As the title suggests, this book is chiefly about Scotland’s industrial railways and its locomotives, many actually constructed in Scotland, but this work is also a sad reminder of how much our traditional industries have contracted, or have even been lost entirely over this period, either through globalisation of manufacturing, or the importation of commodities at a cheaper market rate than could have been obtained at home.

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In this highly readable book, Nick Clayton charts the origins of the bicycle, a machine that is still regarded as the most efficient means of translating human energy into motion. Focusing on the early years of development, the author examines the technological developments that have led to the modern bicycle, including the hobby-horse, velocipede, boneshaker, tricycle, the pneumatic tyre, shaft drive, hub-gear, derailleur and many others. He also looks at differences in design, whether for ladies' bikes or for sport and off-road vehicles. The book is filled with interesting information and anecdotes and the author tackles such questions as why the penny-farthing had such a large front wheel or the meaning of trail-and-fork offset. As the bicycle continues to grow in popularity, both as an environmentally friendly travel solution and for sports as varied as triathlon and cyclo-sportive, this book provides you with all the answers you need about one of the most ingenious human inventions.

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The first generation of Sunbeam Alpine was produced in 1953–54 and was named after the prestigious Alpine Rally which ran through the mountains of France and Italy. The name was resurrected in 1959 for a new model, the principle subject of this book. It was launched in July of that year on the French Riviera and remained in production until 1968. The Alpine was used in racing and rallying in many places including Britain, continental Europe, the United States and Canada. In this book, author John Willshire looks at the history of the Sunbeam Alpine, its development and production history, the different variants produced and its use as a rally and race car as well as advising those who want to own and operate their own Alpine today. The first book dedicated to the history of the Sunbeam Alpine alone for more than twenty years, this is the first book on the subject with such a wide range of historic and modern photographs.

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In May 1940, following the rapid advance of German troops through Holland, Belgium and France, the British Expeditionary Force and French army retreated to Dunkirk. Operation Dynamo was instigated in an attempt to rescue as many of them as possible. With the harbour at Dunkirk severely damaged, much of the evacuation would have to take place from the beaches; only small, shallow-draught boats could do this. After appealing to boatyards, yacht clubs and yachtsmen throughout the South East of England, the Admiralty managed to round up around 700 small craft which, along with 200 military vessels, were able to rescue an astonishing 338,226 troops over nine days. In 1965, forty-three vessels which had taken part in the evacuation commemorated the twenty-fifth anniversary by crossing from Ramsgate to Dunkirk, and the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships was formed soon afterwards. More than fifty years on, over 120 Little Ships are still in commission and it is thought that hundreds of others may still survive. This is their story.

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Haworth is a picturesque Pennine village that is now famed for the Brontë family and the steam railway. Behind the tourist village of today lies a long history of people making a living from the uncompromising moorland of this area. Haworth History Tour takes the reader on a journey through the many changes the village has undergone in its long history. While some areas will seem relatively unchanged, many are now unrecognisable. The curious and nostalgic alike will delight in uncovering or rediscovering the roots of Haworth with the help of this wonderfully illustrated guide.

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How did the inflatable banana save football? Did you know Pope John-Paul II was a follower? How MCFC almost started World War III. ‘You have no history’ is a familiar chant heard by Manchester City fans, who are used to being tormented for years of apparent underachievement. From the very first match on 13 November 1880, through to the present day and beyond, read and learn about the history of a great club. Documenting all the club’s ups and downs, Mike Devlin tries to convince you that the club that has no history really does have one after all.

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Today Bill Richmond is largely unknown to the wider public, but he was one of the most significant sportsmen in history and one of the most prominent celebrities of Georgian times. Born into slavery in Staten Island, Richmond won his freedom as a young boy and carved a new life for himself in England as a cabinet maker and then a renowned prizefighter and trainer. His amazing life encompassed encounters and relationships with some of the most prominent men of the age, including Earl Percy, William Hazlitt, Lord Byron, the Prince Regent and Lord Camelford. His fame was such that he fulfilled an official role at the coronation celebrations of King George IV in 1821. The story of Bill Richmond is an incredible tale of personal advancement, as well as the story of a life informed and influenced by a series of turbulent historical events, including the American War of Independence, the fight for black emancipation and Britain’s long-running conflict with Napoleon Bonaparte.

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In contrast to most of Scotland, the north-western coast and the islands beyond were a region of mixed political control as well as culture into the sixteenth century. The divergent influences of Celtic and Scandinavian culture were more marked here than in the evolving mainland kingdom of Scots. It was a physically remote region of substantial autonomy under its own dynasties. Timothy Venning explores the whole of the lordship of the Isles at its widest extent, under Somerled MacGillebride (ruled c. 1130–64), encompassing the kingdom of Man during its independent history, plus the mainland domains of Somerled’s family in the western Highlands. He also covers the jarldom of Orkney, a Scandinavian lordship divided between involvement in and allegiance to Scotland and Norway until the later fifteenth century. This book traces the complex story of the kings and lesser lords who ruled the region and the continuing autonomy of the area’s clans until the catastrophe of 1745–46 when those clans loyal to their traditional sovereigns were decimated for backing the Stuart invasion. The London government then suppressed an entire culture. The story shows the dynamics of a richly varied world alien to centralised modern Britain.

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Guernsey is small – only 25 square miles – but it holds a depth of history and intrigue far greater than its size. Early prehistoric beginnings allied to a Norman French heritage and a long period of loyalty to the English Crown have produced a unique culture – a melting pot of religious, political and economic activity. The islanders’ stories can be found everywhere – from the sea-swept coast and rural country lanes, to the bustle of St Peter Port, in buildings, churches and charming quaint, granite houses. Take a journey through this familiar landscape to find what lies beneath – stories of the unusual, the intriguing or the plain odd. From serial duellists to romantic poets; confusing road names to land reclamation; mysterious stones to pagan offerings, Secret Guernsey is filled with unexpected tales of island life and history, and invites you to explore the island for yourself and uncover more unfound treasures through stunning colour photographs.

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Situated on the north bank of the River Tyne, at the lowest bridging point, Newcastle is generally regarded as the capital of the north-eastern region of the United Kingdom. Initially a Roman settlement, Pons Aellius, the city grew to become an important site during the expansion of the wool trade in the fourteenth century and later played an integral role in the nation’s booming coal industry. Today the city hosts the Great North Run and boasts numerous icons, among which are its famous Newcastle Brown Ale and successful Premier League team, Newcastle United FC. Evidence of Newcastle’s past can be seen in its streets. The city’s Roman origins are represented by remaining sections of Hadrian’s Wall, and its industrial heritage is evident in its quayside and warehouses. In addition to these more visually obvious fragments of the past exist little-known passages, buildings, tunnels and other secret places that reveal more of Newcastle than meets the eye. Join author Ken Hutchinson in exploring the more clandestine aspects of the city’s long and varied history.

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The incredible true story of what really happened in the Channel Islands during the Second World War. The Channel lslands were occupied on 30 June 1940 when four German planes landed at Guernsey Airport. They were the only part of Britain to be occupied during the Second World War. The islands had been officially demilitarised on 19 June, but the War Office in London overlooked the necessity to inform the Germans. This led to a German air attack on 28 June, which resulted in thirty-eight civilian deaths. Hitler was extremely proud of the conquest of the Channel lslands, and saw it as a stepping-stone to the full invasion of the rest of Britain. The occupying forces were instructed to behave correctly. This would show the rest of Britain that there was nothing to be feared from life under the Third Reich. This book looks at the German Occupation, the unsavoury events that occurred on the Islands, and why at the end of the war a cover-up of these events was instigated by the British Government.

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Abingdon History Tour is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this Oxfordshire town. This is an exciting guided walk around Abingdon, its well-known streets and striking buildings, and explains what they meant to the people of this town throughout the nineteenth and into the twentieth century. Readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and watch the changing face of Abingdon as Pamela Horn guides us through the local streets.

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