Search results for ""Author W. A. Hoodless""

This is a quirky compendium of little-known stories and facts about the beautiful heritage city of Christchurch. From an amazing tale about salmon from the Royalty Fishery, the story of how the Prior persuaded King Henry VIII to exempt the Priory Church from the Dissolution and the strange phenomenon of the river Avon ‘freezing the wrong way round’, it is full of stories to delight and entertain. A particular insight is provided into the Victorian culture of self-improvement, humour and moral pressure with the saga of events surrounding a relocated Town Hall , when the most whimsical, sardonic and downright controversial letters were written to the local paper. Whether dealing with such things, or the fact that the town is only here due to a geological quirk, or the invasion scare of 1539, both residents and visitors will find much to marvel at here.

Read more less

This gripping account of the impact of the Blitz upon an Upminster couple was recently unearthed by the diarist's son. The harrowing events described so poignantly had an immediate effect on the author, who set out to compile this tribute both to his family and the countless people who have experienced or died from air raids. The Blitz diary began less than a year after Mary Hoodless had married, just three days before the Declaration of War in 1939. Such a personal record running through the Blitz period is unique. The entries throw light on the minutiae of trying to continue everyday life with a sense of normality against the backdrop of fear and uncertainty.As well as the diary itself, the place of the Blitz in the wider war is contemplated. Life was hard for most before the war; it became much worse for six years and it then became possible for the survivors to rebuild in a time of relative prosperity. All three phases are described in the family story.The moving narrative of the diary together with the explanation of the bigger picture demonstrate the courage, humour and great determination of ordinary Essex people in the face of war.

Read more less

The seaside town of Bournemouth was founded as a watering place in the early nineteenth century in an area of barren land on the south coast known for smuggling. After developing as a health resort, the railways arrived and the town grew rapidly, becoming a popular destination for visitors. Today, Bournemouth welcomes millions of visitors every year to its beaches and festivals, its two piers – one at Bournemouth and one at Boscombe – and long promenade, and is a cultural and commercial centre of the area. Many of its outstanding Victorian buildings have been preserved and stand alongside art deco and more recent landmark buildings. In A–Z of Bournemouth, author Bill Hoodless delves into the history of the town, from evidence of the earliest settlers in the area to the present day. He highlights well-known historic landmarks such as the Winter Gardens, former home of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, forgotten stories from yesteryear such as a tram tragedy, and the air crash that killed Charles Rolls, co-founder of Rolls-Royce Ltd. He also writes about famous residents and visitors such as Robert Louis Stevenson and digs beneath the surface to uncover some of Bournemouth’s lesser-known facts and its hidden places of interest.

Read more less

From the statue in front of the Bournemouth International Centre which depicts an architect sitting on a WC pan, to the Labrador which convinced the police to drain a pond, Bournemouth Curiosities is filled with little-known and surprising stories about the town. Exploring the history behind all sorts of curious and fascinating people, places and objects, this book is sure to delight all who know and love Bournemouth.

Read more less