A-Z
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A-Z of Stamford
Places-People-History
by Christopher Davies
Part of the A-Z series
Stamford is one of England's finest stone towns, a happy mix of medieval and Georgian architecture that was untouched by the Industrial Revolution or later large-scale developments. In 1967, it became the country's first conservation area and in recent years it has become a popular tourist destination for both home and overseas visitors. It has also attracted the attention of filmmakers who have been quick to see its potential as a backdrop for such TV productions as Middlemarchand Pride and Prejudice. In this new book, local author and historian Christopher Davies takes the reader on a fascinating A–Z tour of the town's history, through its narrow medieval streets and fascinating jumble of buildings, along the way relating many a tale of the most interesting people and places. Fully illustrated with photographs from the past and present, A–Z of Stamford will appeal to residents and visitors alike.
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A-Z of Carlisle
Places-People-History
by Andrew Graham Stables
Part of the A-Z series
The Cumbrian city of Carlisle has a rich and colourful history. Being so close to the Scottish border, Carlisle became a military stronghold and its surviving eleventh-century castle bears testament to this. During the Industrial Revolution it grew into a major centre of textile manufacture and an important railway hub and has long been key to North Cumbria's industry. The 'Great Border City' remains the main cultural and commercial centre for this part of the country and there are clear reminders of its past everywhere. Author and historian Andrew Graham Stables 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 Carlisle will appeal to residents and visitors alike.
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A-Z of Aberdeen
Places-People-History
by Lorna Corall Dey
Part of the A-Z series
Capturing the character and people of the city of Aberdeen, this A-Z chronicle gets to the heart of the Granite City and oil capital of Europe, where dispute is never far from the surface, starting with its very name. This illustrated alphabetical foray into the city on the edge of the North Sea from author and historian Lorna Corall Dey presents much that will be familiar as well as other subjects that are less well-known, all of which have all contributed to the growth and reputation of Aberdeen. Fully illustrated with photographs from the past and present, this book will appeal to Aberdonians and those who have never set foot in the Silver City by the golden sands.
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A-Z of Chichester
Places-People-History
by Philip MacDougall
Part of the A-Z series
The cathedral city of Chichester in West Sussex has a rich and colourful history that stretches all the way back to Roman times, when it played an important part in the Roman invasion. Its main city streets follow the original pattern laid out almost 2,000 years ago, while the buildings that line many of those streets, when not medieval in origin, most frequently date to Georgian or Victorian times. Well-known local author and historian Philip MacDougall 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, A–Z of Chichester will appeal to residents and visitors alike.
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A-Z of Sheffield
Places-People-History
by Melvyn Jones
Part of the A-Z series
The city of Sheffield has long had a worldwide reputation as 'Steel City', the home of steel products of every description from cutlery to special steels for the nuclear, petrochemical and aerospace industries. But this city of more than half a million people contains much more than the evidence of its industrial past and present. From the Lower Don valley in the east, the city extends into the hills and up the river valleys that stretch from the Pennine hills and moors and in this largely post-industrial age it has gained the reputation of being Britain's greenest city with woodlands, moorlands, parks, gardens and other open spaces that are the envy of other urban areas. It is a city studded with remarkable evidence of its past stretching into the prehistoric period. Well-known local authors Melvyn and Joan Jones take the reader on a fascinating alphabetical tour of Sheffield: its places, its people and its history. Illustrated with 100 photographs, it should be of lasting interest to long-established residents and to relative newcomers alike.
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A-Z of Jarrow
Places-People-History
by Paul Perry
Part of the A-Z series
The Tyneside town of Jarrow has had an interesting, colourful and often turbulent history. Within the pages of this book, local photographer and author Paul Perry takes the reader on a nostalgic alphabetical tour of its most loved and recognisable places and people, such as Simon Temple and Charles Mark Palmer, and the Gyrwy tribe, who were most likely the earliest inhabitants of the area. Also discussed will be the industries that supported and dominated the town for decades, including agriculture and the shipbuilding industry. Fully illustrated with images from the past and present, A-Z of Jarrow is sure to appeal to residents and visitors alike.
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A-Z of Newcastle
Places-People-History
by Ken Hutchinson
Part of the A-Z series
Newcastle upon Tyne is one of England's great cities and one of the most historically significant, with a proud heritage dating all the way back to Roman times. The city grew as an important centre for the wool trade in the fourteenth century and later became a major coal mining area. However, it was the famous River Tyne that brought real wealth and prestige to the city with the development of shipbuilding and ship repair works. Today the city is better known for its renowned university, famous football club and iconic bridges. Much of this rich and vibrant port city is still in evidence today. Local author Ken Hutchinson takes the reader on their very own A–Z tour around the city's history, exploring the nooks and crannies and relating many a fascinating tale of interesting people and places along the way. This fully illustrated A–Z guide to the city will appeal to residents and visitors alike.
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A-Z of Portsmouth
Places-people-history
by Philip MacDougall
Part of the A-Z series
Portsmouth is synonymous with the Royal Navy. Its naval dockyard was at one time the world's largest employer of a civilian workforce, and for many centuries totally dominated the town. There were also allied service industries that met the needs of those employed in the dockyard or the navy: a large-scale tailoring industry; brewing, with Portsmouth boasting more pubs per head of population than any other city in the UK; and, of course, entertainment, as its many theatres, cinemas and music halls provided recreation for a large population of off-duty sailors. Well-known Portsmouth author and historian Philip MacDougall 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, A–Z of Portsmouthwill appeal to residents and visitors alike.
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A-Z of Conwy
Places-people-history
by John Barden Davies
Part of the A-Z series
The popular medieval town of Conwy in North Wales, dominated by its thirteenth-century castle, has a long and often violent history. There are many stories behind the town's ancient castle and walls, its streets and buildings, and its residents, past and present, famous and infamous. These are told here, by local author John Barden Davies, as he takes the reader on their very own A-Z tour around the town's history, exploring its nooks and crannies, and along the way relating many a fascinating tale of the most interesting people and places. Fully illustrated with photographs, this new A-Z guide to the town's history will appeal to residents and visitors alike.
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A-Z of Bury St Edmunds
Places-People-History
by Martyn Taylor
Part of the A-Z series
There are many books written on Bury St Edmunds, some academic, others having a more simplistic approach. This book tells the story of the town through the letters of the alphabet, setting out to explore and inform the reader of some of the facts and stories behind familiar and unfamiliar areas of the town. Fully illustrated with colour photographs throughout, local tour guide and author Martyn Taylor reveals the history of Bury St Edmunds, from Angel Hill to Zulu Lane and everywhere in between.
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A-Z of Swansea
Places-people-history
by Geoff Brookes
Part of the A-Z series
This is a book for everyone who loves Swansea, this rainswept place by the sea. The town has not always lived in the full glare of history but it is a place that has made its own contribution to the world, always looking outwards. As Swansea's industry developed, the rural poor moved into the town in search of employment in the copper works and mines, each trying to build a new life in a cramped town. Add to this the rest of the world that arrived via the docks and you get a heady and bewildering mix. From the Swansea social whirl of the Georgian Assembly Rooms to the bizarre story of Zeno, murderer and spy, Geoff Brookes takes you on an A–Z tour of Swansea's history. Fully illustrated with photographs from today and yesterday, this new A–Z history will show you the places and the people that have built the Swansea that is loved by both visitors and residents alike.
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A-Z of Lancaster
Places-People-History
by Billy F. K. Howorth
Part of the A-Z series
The quiet city of Lancaster may no longer be as well known as it was in the past, but delve a little deeper and you will come across an exciting story, two millennia in the making. From its foundation as a Roman fort on the River Lune, to its rapid expansion in the Georgian period with the creation of its port for use in the slave trade, through to the Victorian industries that made Lancaster famous, the city has always been an important place with an exciting past at the heart of Lancashire. Local author Billy Howorth takes the reader on a fascinating A–Z tour of the city's history, exploring its nooks and crannies, relating many tales of the most interesting people and places along the way. Fully illustrated with photographs from the past and present, A–Z of Lancaster will appeal to residents and visitors alike.
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A-Z of Warrington
Places-people-history
by Janice Hayes
Part of the A-Z series
From its heyday in the nineteenth century as a major centre of wire making, textiles, chemical production and brewing, through to its subesquent reinvention as a new town in the late 1960s, Warrington has a proud heritage. In this new book, local author and cultural curator Janice Hayes takes the reader on a fascinating A–Z tour of the town's history, from Roman Wilderspool via a lost medieval castle to the magnificent Town Hall adorned with its Golden Gates and highlights Warrington's unique customs. Along the way meet the famous and infamous characters who have played their parts on the local and even international stage, shaping the town's history and key events.
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A-Z of St Albans
Places-people-history
by Wendy Turner
Part of the A-Z series
St Albans has many faces. It's a vibrant, modern Hertfordshire city with attractive buildings and surprising architecture. It's a buzzing market town on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It's a cathedral city with the abbey at its heart, the Easter Pilgrimage that draws thousands of pilgrims from near and far, and the Alban Pageant with larger-than-life puppets that recreate Alban's story along its streets every June. A rich seam of history runs from the time of Julius Caesar and Roman Verulamium, through the time of King Offa of Mercia and the monastery built to honour Alban in 793 to the twelfth-century Sopwell Nunnery with its adventurous abbess, author of a book on fishing, thought to be the first book written in the English language by a woman. Yet there is the darker side with murder and mayhem at its core. Today's St Albans Registry Office was once a prison where hangings were carried out and prisoners allotted gruelling tasks. The extensive fifteenth-century traveller and chronicler Fynes Moryson found St Albans 'a pleasant towne, full of faire innes'. It is still that and much more. This book takes you on an alphabetical tour of St Albans through the ages.
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A-Z of the Isle of Anglesey
Places-People-History
by Warren Kovach
Part of the A-Z series
The island of Anglesey, off the north-west coast of Wales, has a long and fascinating history. Its ancient and complex geology has created a special habitat for wildlife and it has also been a heartland for Welsh culture from the time of the Iron Age Druids to the present day. More recently, it is the site of the spectacular structures built during the Industrial Revolution to link Anglesey to the mainland: Telford's Menai Suspension Bridge and Robert Stephenson's Britannia Bridge.In this book author Warren Kovach picks out the places and people that make Anglesey special, from churches, chapels and lighthouses, which are of particular importance on the island, to large landowning families such as the Bulkeleys and prominent individuals such as Christmas Evans and Kyffin Williams. The richness of the natural world on the island is addressed, as is the economy and social structures such as fairs and markets, industry and transport.A–Z of the Isle of Anglesey reveals the stories behind the island, its places and people. A broad picture of Anglesey's history through the ages is painted and it brings to life the story of how the island of today was shaped. This fascinating A–Z tour is fully illustrated with photography and will appeal to all those with an interest in this distinctive island.
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A-Z of Windsor & Eton
Places-people-history
by Yvonne Moxley
Part of the A-Z series
Having provided the setting for many royal and historic events, Windsor Castle attracts millions of visitors from around the world and continues to be a favourite royal residence. This imposing building dominates the surrounding area, but the town itself arrived long before the castle. In the seventh century a settlement was built further south, close to the River Thames, which provided transport to London. Not content with its position, in 1110 the town moved two miles north to wrap itself around the castle and settled where it is today under the name of New Windsor. Over the town bridge, Eton is said to have been a settlement since Saxon times, although Roman and Celtic remains have been found in the area. Originally, Eton prospered from fish farming on the river, but the college, founded in 1440, encouraged its growth. In A–Z of Windsor & Eton, author Yvonne Moxley embarks on an engaging alphabetical journey through the history of these neighbouring Berkshire towns. She visits the places, buildings and streets that are significant and intriguing, and discovers the stories behind them. Along the way, Yvonne introduces the reader to some famous sons and daughters and provides an enlightening insight into the heritage of both towns. Illustrated throughout, this book will be of interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the area.
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A-Z of Hitchin
Places-people-history
by Wendy Turner
Part of the A-Z series
- The latest title in Amberley's exciting new A-Z series
- Potential for review coverage in local press and media
- Author available to publicise the book
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A-Z of Bexhill-on-Sea
Places-people-history
by Andy Bull
Part of the A-Z series
Bexhill may have one of the highest percentages of retired people in the country, but this fascinating town does not deserve its reputation as God's waiting room. The town was developed by the 7th Earl of Sackville as a seaside resort in the late nineteenth century and gained a reputation for health and longevity, as well as becoming home to around 300 independent schools before the outbreak of the Second World War. It has always been a pioneering place: the birthplace of British motor racing, the first resort to allow mixed bathing, the town where colour television was invented, and the venue for Bob Marley's first gig in the UK. A wonderful array of fascinating characters, and a fair few true eccentrics, have called Bexhill home, including pioneering motorcycling rector Canon Basil Davies, and a hoax inventor of a death ray. The town has been immortalised in a Goon Show sketch by Spike Milligan, who trained with the army there in the Second World War, and celebrated by native Eddie Izzard, who put a replica of the coach from The Italian Job on the roof of the town's art gallery.A–Z of Bexhill-on-Sea reveals the history behind Bexhill, its streets and buildings and the people connected with the town. Alongside the famous historical connections are unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well-known. Readers will discover tales of smuggling, the town's link to Agatha Christie and its connection with the US state of Delaware among many other fascinating facts in this A–Z tour of Bexhill's history. Fully illustrated, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic East Sussex seaside town.
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A-Z of Beccles
Places-people-history
by Barry Darch
Part of the A-Z series
- The latest title in Amberley's new 'A-Z' title
- Potential for review coverage in local press and media
- Author lives locally and is available to promote the book
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A-Z of Wigan
Places-people-history
by Sue Gerrard
Part of the A-Z series
Wigan has been an important town throughout history. It was granted market charters in 1246 and was the centre of the Banastre Rebellion in the next century. In the English Civil War it was the site of the Battle of Wigan Lane in 1651. Wigan expanded during the Industrial Revolution through its coal mining, engineering and textile industries and with the opening of the Leeds–Liverpool Canal and the arrival of the railway. The social conditions which resulted from this rapid change were written about by George Orwell in The Road to Wigan Pier. The town is also noted for its entertainers and actors George Formby, Ian McKellen and Roy Kinnear. As well as its Rugby League Club, the Wigan Warriors, there is Wigan Athletic Football Club which won the FA Cup in 2012. A–Z of Wigan reveals the history behind Wigan, its streets and buildings, businesses and the people connected with the town. Alongside the famous historical connections are unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well-known. Readers will discover tales of an opera singer who captivated Hitler and spied for Britain, all-night dancing at the home of Northern Soul and a fatal Zeppelin raid among many other fascinating facts in this A–Z tour of Wigan's past. Fully illustrated, it will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic town.
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A-Z of Whitechapel
Places-people-history
by Andy Bull
Part of the A-Z series
For centuries, Whitechapel has been at the centre of multicultural Britain. It has offered sanctuary to successive waves of immigrants fleeing religious intolerance, pogroms and poverty: Huguenots from France, Irish, Jews from Eastern Europe and Bangladeshis, each overlaying their own vibrant culture on the area. Whitechapel has been associated with notorious crimes in the past, not least Jack the Ripper, nineteenth-century body snatchers, the Kray twins and other gangsters. Social reformers such as George Peabody and William Booth, who founded the Salvation Army in Whitechapel, have left their legacy on the area.
In A–Z of Whitechapel author Andy Bull reveals the history behind the area's streets, buildings, industries and the people connected with this part of East London. Alongside the famous historical connections, he includes some unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well known. Readers will discover tales of Elizabethan theatres and Victorian freak shows, artists and writers, Whitechapel's connection with Joseph Stalin and the area's brewing and bell-founding heritage, among many other fascinating facts in this A–Z tour of Whitechapel's history. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic East London district.
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A-Z of the Cotswolds
Places-people-history
by Sue Hazeldine
Part of the A-Z series
The Cotswold Hills run in a large swathe through south central England, chiefly in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, but also parts of Somerset, Wiltshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. The local limestone characterises the area, providing the main building material for its towns and villages. The rolling hills were ideal for sheep farming in the Middle Ages and the area became a prosperous centre of the wool trade, with many fine buildings, including churches, dating from this period as well as later centuries. A–Z of the Cotswolds delves into the history of this beautiful region. It highlights well-known landmarks, famous residents and digs beneath the surface to uncover some of the lesser-known facts about the Cotswolds and its hidden gems. Significant moments in its history are covered as well as its notable buildings and natural landmarks. This fascinating A–Z tour of Cotswolds history is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this part of England.
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A-Z of Bridlington
Places-people-history
by Richard M. Jones
Part of the A-Z series
The East Yorkshire town of Bridlington has over 1,000 years of history. Starting off as two smaller settlements, built around the medieval priory and the harbour, it was developed as a fashionable resort in the nineteenth century and had merged into one town by the early 1900s. Bridlington has seen its fair share of tragedies, triumphs, special events and royal visitors as well as being home to some unique stories and characters, from the award of the very first George Cross, the work of Lawrence of Arabia between the wars and bombing raids of the Second World War, to the Great Gale of 1871, the burning of the Royal Victoria Rooms in 1933, a visit by Queen Henrietta Maria and a lifeboat that goes back over 200 years.
In A–Z of Bridlington, author Richard M. Jones reveals the history behind Bridlington, its streets and buildings, industries and the people connected with the town. Alongside the famous historical connections, he includes some unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well-known. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in this coastal Yorkshire town.
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A-Z of Shrewsbury
Places-people-history
by Dorothy Nicolle
Part of the A-Z series
Shrewsbury, Shropshire's county town, has been an important trading and administrative centre since medieval times because of its position on the River Severn close to the Welsh border. Today, much of the town follows its original medieval street layout and remains largely unspoilt, with its intriguingly named streets and alleyways. For visitors and residents alike there is much history to discover, from the red-sandstone castle to the fifteenth- and sixteenth-century timber-framed buildings reflecting the wealth from the wool trade. In A–Z of Shrewsbury local author Dorothy Nicolle seeks out stories from the past about the town's places and its famous sons and daughters. Notable people, including Charles Darwin, Robert Clive and Wilfred Owen, intermingle with those who are, perhaps, lesser-known, ranging from Aethelflaeda and Percy Thrower (the gardening expert) to Cadman (the tightrope artiste) and Judge Jeffreys (the 'Hanging Judge'). Among the events covered are the Battle of Shrewsbury and the Civil War, as well as visits by royalty through the centuries and the Shrewsbury Flower Show, which is one of the oldest in the country. Finally, many people ask is the name pronounced 'Shrowesbury' or 'Shruesbury'? Well, that depends largely on whoever you ask, but it seems that locals like to tell visitors that neither is right and neither is wrong – as long as they make time to explore this lovely town.
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A-Z of Ilkley
Places-people-history
by Mark Hunnebell
Part of the A-Z series
There is evidence of human settlement at Ilkley in prehistoric and Roman times but the town grew rapidly in the nineteenth century when it became well known as a fashionable spa town, accessible to visitors by the new railway system. The town's Victorian legacy is still in evidence in many of its buildings, enhanced by its wide streets and floral displays. The town lies in Wharfedale in Yorkshire, adjacent to the moor, subject of the song: 'On Ilkla Moor bah't 'at'. The scenic landscape and roads around Ilkley and the steep climb to the Cow and Calf Rocks have become well known internationally through the staging of the Tour de France passing through Ilkley and the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race. The town is also home to the oldest Literature Festival in the north of England. This fascinating A to Z tour focuses largely, but not exclusively, on Ilkley's history during the twentieth century; its interesting people, places and events. It is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this Yorkshire spa town.
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A-Z of Bridgwater
Places-people-history
by Lynne Cleaver
Part of the A-Z series
The Somerset town of Bridgwater was an important port on the River Parrett in the Middle Ages, linked inland during the Industrial Revolution with the construction of the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal. Bridgwater became the main manufacturing town in Somerset, including shipbuilding, iron foundries and the manufacture of clay tiles and bricks and cellophane. Although these industries have declined in the later twentieth century, it is still a major industrial centre with a diverse cultural life, including an arts centre, music festivals, its Guy Fawkes Carnival and the second biggest fair in the country. In A–Z of Bridgwater author Lynne Cleaver delves into the history of the town, highlighting well-known landmarks, events and famous residents, such as Admiral Robert Blake's birthplace, the Somerset Brick and Tile Museum and the historic port and quayside and the Battle of Sedgemoor fought on the Somerset Levels outside the town, as well as digging beneath the surface to uncover some of the lesser-known facts about Bridgwater and its hidden places of interest. This fascinating A–Z tour of Bridgwater's history is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this Somerset town.
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A-Z of Mumbles and Gower
Places-people-history
by Brian E. Davies
Part of the A-Z series
For many the vibrant seaside village of Mumbles is the gateway to the beautiful Gower Peninsula, and both have fascinating history and fine scenery to offer. Mumbles is well known for many things, including the Mumbles Mile, the popular pier and the historic Oystermouth Castle, and the village was once important for oyster fishing. The Gower Peninsula was Britain's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the special charm of this place has been well protected. Many of the scenic and popular highlights of Gower are visited in this book, as well as some lesser-known places. Notable events and prehistoric sites are described, and we meet the 'Red Lady' of Paviland and the 'Queen of Reynoldston'. Other personalities include the legendary rugby half-back pairing of Haydn Tanner and Willie Davies from Penclawdd and the 'Golden Boy' of Welsh football, Ivor Allchurch. Gower's stunning coast and villages are well represented, from Langland Bay to Rhossili and from Newton to Llanrhidian. From shipwrecks to fairy stories, this fascinating A to Z tour features a carefully chosen selection of the places, people and history of Mumbles and Gower. Illustrated throughout, this attractive book will appeal to all those with an interest in this very special part of Wales.
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A-Z of Knutsford
Places-people-history
by Jean Bradburn
Part of the A-Z series
Despite its size the Cheshire town of Knutsford is full of history, beautiful Italianate architecture and quirky buildings. It is also surrounded by stately homes built by the landed gentry, including Tabley House and Tatton Park. According to legend its name was derived by King Cnut fording the river here; however, this has been disputed by historians as the River Lily is really no more than a brook. Knutsford has an established place in literary history as it provided the inspiration and setting for Elizabeth Gaskell's novel Cranford, in which she describes its characters with gentle humour and affection. Gaskell lived in the town for many years and is buried in the churchyard of Brook Street Unitarian Chapel. In A–Z of Knutsford local authors Jean and John Bradburn take readers on an alphabetical tour of the town's heritage to discover the stories behind its streets and buildings. Interesting facts and intriguing tales are revealed, and the authors introduce some of the town's famous sons and daughters. Local events such as the May Day celebrations, which started in the 1860s, are highlighted together with the Penny Farthing Museum, which organises a three-hour race around the town every ten years. Readers will also learn more about well-known people with connections to Knutsford, including the Second World War US General George Patton, the mathematician and codebreaker Alan Turing and Sir Henry Royce of Rolls-Royce fame. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will be of interest to residents, visitors and those with links to the town.
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A-Z of Romsey
Places-people-history
by Martin Brisland
Part of the A-Z series
- The latest title in Amberley's exciting new A-Z series
- Potential for review coverage in local press and media
- Author is available to publicize the book
ebook
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A-Z of Bournemouth
Places-people-history
by W. A. Hoodless
Part of the A-Z series
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.
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A-Z of Stockport
Places-people-history
by Robert Nicholls
Part of the A-Z series
Lying 7 miles south-east of Manchester, the town of Stockport can trace its history back to the foundation of a castle in the area in the late twelfth century and the granting of a borough charter around 1220. The town grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution but the earlier town is still visible in the narrow cobbled streets and historic buildings in the market area of the town centre. Stockport was famous from the sixteenth century for the production of hemp and rope, and became a centre for hat-making and the silk industry. During the nineteenth century it was at the heart of cotton manufacturing and today the rich and varied history of the town can be seen in its unique hatting museum, underground Second World War shelters, art deco cinema and theatre and regenerated former industrial buildings. A–Z of Stockport delves into the history of this historic town, revealing interesting and significant moments in the story of Stockport. It highlights well-known landmarks, famous residents and digs beneath the surface to uncover some of the lesser-known facts about Stockport and its hidden gems. This A–Z tour of Stockport's history is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this fascinating town in Greater Manchester.
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A-Z of St Helens
Places-people-history
by Sue Gerrard
Part of the A-Z series
St Helens has a proud history of innovation, industrialisation, invention and entertainment. It started life as four townships, Eccleston, Parr, Sutton and Windle, but with the birth of the Industrial Revolution it became a centre for industries such as glassmaking, coal mining and copper smelting. By the time it became a municipal borough in 1868, it was the cradle of the world's transport system. The first navigable waterway in the country, the Sankey Canal, opened in 1757, while the world's first passenger railway, the Liverpool to Manchester line, opened in 1830. However, it was not all work and no play as many entertainment greats such as Charlie Chaplin, George Formby, Vesta Tilly and the Beatles all appeared here. St Helens also has its fair share of Oscar winners, claiming three to date. In A–Z of St Helens local author Sue Gerrard reveals the history behind St Helens, its streets and buildings, industries and the people connected with the town. Alongside the famous historical connections, she includes some unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well known. Readers will discover tales of alleged witchcraft, St Helens' connection with the Nuremberg trials and the town's glassmaking heritage among many other fascinating facts. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic Merseyside town.
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A-Z of Truro
Places-people-history
by John Husband
Part of the A-Z series
Situated between the rivers Allen and Kenwyn, Truro is an ancient town but a young city. From becoming Cornwall's first chartered town in 1130 to the laying of the foundation stone for the county's only cathedral in 1880, it has gone from a medieval market town to a thriving port and, as a stannary town, grew rich on the proceeds of Cornwall's mines. Fine Georgian buildings changed the look of Truro from a provincial market town to a smaller version of Bath. Its medieval street plan contains many narrow passageways or 'opes', and many of its interesting buildings still remain despite much modern development as befits Cornwall's legal, administrative and commercial centre. When its shipping trade was eventually stolen by Falmouth, the river silted up and now only small boats can reach the Town Quay at high tide. By the twentieth century two developments changed the look of Truro forever. The arrival of the railway brought the massive sixteen-arch viaduct, which stretches across the panorama of the city from east to west. In front of it rise the three spires of the country's first Anglican cathedral to be built since St Paul's. In A-Z of Truro, author John Husband embarks on an engaging alphabetical journey through the city's history. He visits the places, buildings and streets that are significant and intriguing, and discovers the stories behind them. Along the way the author also introduces the reader to some of Truro's famous sons and daughters. From the explorer Richard Lander and his brother John (the first Europeans to follow the course of the River Niger) to the origins of the amusingly named Squeeze Guts Alley, and Walsingham Place to the Festival of Lights, this is a wonderfully illustrated insight into the history of Cornwall's county town.
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A-Z of Wrexham
Places-people-history
by Christopher Davies
Part of the A-Z series
Situated almost on the border between England and Wales, Wrexham has a long and important history. In the past it was famous for its coal, iron, steel and lead mining and leather industries. Today, it is the largest town in North Wales and two of the Seven Wonders of Wales are located in the area: St Giles' Church in Wrexham and Gresford church just outside the town. In A–Z of Wrexham local author Christopher Davies explores various aspects of the town's history, but in order to make the book as comprehensive as possible, he also focuses on the county borough. This will allow for broader comment on the effects of the Industrial Revolution in the area, and the inclusion of nationally important buildings and structures such as the eighteenth-century Erddig Hall, now cared for by the National Trust, and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site. Fully illustrated throughout, this book provides an engaging and informative guide to the rich heritage of this part of North Wales. Readers will gain a fascinating insight into Wrexham's buildings, industry and the individuals who shaped the area across the centuries.
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A-Z of Peterborough
Places-people-history
by June Bull
Part of the A-Z series
Peterborough grew up around its cathedral, originally founded as an Anglo-Saxon monastery, but it was only in the nineteenth century that this city on the edge of the Fens started to grow to its present size as one of the largest cities in the east of England. The arrival of the railways and development of new industries in the early nineteenth century brought large numbers of people to Peterborough, and the expansion continued with its designation as a New Town in the 1960s, which led to a large programme of house building and redevelopment of the city centre. A–Z of Peterborough reveals the history behind the city's streets and buildings, industries, and the people connected with it. Alongside the famous historical connections are unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well known. Readers will discover tales of the importance of brickmaking, the tragic accident of a Victorian lady balloonist and parachutist, a pioneering eighteenth-century botanist and riots during the First World War among many other fascinating facts in this tour of Peterborough's history. It is fully illustrated throughout and will appeal to all those with an interest in this city in the east of England.
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A-Z of Aldershot
Places-people-history
by Paul H. Vickers
Part of the A-Z series
Famous as the home of the British Army, the small village of Aldershot in the north-east corner of Hampshire grew rapidly around the garrison that was established on the heath there for the British Army during the Crimean War in 1854. This was the first permanent training camp for the Army and within ten years Aldershot had become a significant town. By the end of the nineteenth century the Victorian new town had become fully established, with theatres, churches and chapels, pubs, schools, shops and residential areas. The town has continued to expand alongside the military camp in the last 100 years, but alongside newly regenerated shopping areas has retained many of its Victorian landmarks. In A-Z of Aldershot author Paul H. Vickers reveals the stories behind Aldershot's history, its streets and buildings and the people connected with the town. This enthralling A-Z tour of Aldershot's history is fully illustrated with photography and will appeal to all those with an interest in this fascinating town.
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A-Z of Worthing
Places-people-history
by Kevin Newman
Part of the A-Z series
A–Z of Worthing delves into the stories behind the town's most notable streets, places, parks and buildings, as well as the dark secrets of its inhabitants, lesser-known lanes and its numerous twittens. The book reveals the tales behind some of its more unusual place names, including why seven streets in the town are named after the crew of a Lancaster bomber. Sussex-born author, teacher and historian Kevin Newman uncovers the history behind many of Worthing's distinctive features, visitors and citizens, exploring tales of the town's less famous (and infamous) sons and daughters and the places they frequented, from the dance school that handled fascist mail to the former school of Pam St Clements who played TV's Pat Butcher. The book switches from light-hearted engagement with the quirkier side of Worthing's history to a more serious look at the darker side of the town's past. Inside is something for everyone, be that visitor, Worthingite or simply those with a love of wonderful Worthing.
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A-Z of Soho and Fitzrovia
Places-people-history
by Johnny Homer
Part of the A-Z series
Soho and Fitzrovia are two of London's most vibrant and bohemian neighbourhoods. Divided geographically only by Oxford Street, they can both boast a fascinating and occasionally dark history. In this book, author Johnny Homer takes readers on an engaging tour of these areas. Today, Soho is at the centre of the capital's Theatreland and entertainments scene. Here are the theatres, shops, clubs and restaurants, together with the streets, squares and alleyways that bring the city to life during the day and at night. Soho has long been London's playground, a place of illicit pleasure, high and low culture, pubs, brothels and gangland feuds. It is a unique melting pot of cultures and influences, and the location of iconic places such as Carnaby Street, Ronnie Scott's jazz club, the Windmill Theatre and home to Private Eye magazine. Fitzrovia is perhaps more refined; a district of fashion houses, advertising agencies and the BBC. In the past it had a bohemian reputation, and was home to authors including Virginia Woolf and George Bernard Shaw. Discover more about famous residents and notable venues such as the Fitzroy Tavern, the UFO Club, and the landmark Post Office Tower. From Karl Marx to Mozart, Casanova to Jimi Hendrix, the inventor of television to the man who introduced the espresso machine into England, A-Z of Soho and Fitzrovia offers an irreverent historical guide to London's liveliest locality. But be warned, once you enter you will never want to leave.
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A-Z of Taunton
Places-people-history
by Andrea Cowan
Part of the A-Z series
Taunton has always had a special and significant place in Somerset's history. Lying on the River Tone between the Quantock, Blackdown and Brendon Hills in an area known as the Vale of Taunton, what began as a Saxon village called Tone Tun ('tone' meaning river, 'tun' meaning farm or enclosure) is now the county town of Somerset. Along with its rise in importance and stature comes an enthralling history, and the streets are lined with many fine architectural features and beautiful heritage sites. The Civil War was a particularly turbulent time in Taunton, with several sieges and the destruction of many of the town's medieval and Tudor buildings. Later, during the Monmouth Rebellion, Taunton was one of the places where, in June 1685, the Duke of Monmouth declared himself King of England. The uprising was followed by the Bloody Assizes presided over by the notorious Judge Jeffreys. In A–Z of Taunton, author Andrea Cowan takes the reader on an engaging and enlightening tour of the town's history and discovers some hidden gems along the way. The book looks at the stories behind the buildings, monuments, streets, parks and gardens, as well as offering a glimpse of some of the people – famous and infamous – who have played their part in shaping Taunton. From the castle, which is now home to the Museum of Somerset and the Somerset Military Museum, to the county cricket ground, and the distinctive nineteenth-century Tone Bridge to the Tudor Tavern, which is one of Taunton's oldest buildings, this is a fascinating insight into the history of Somerset's county town.
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A-Z of Frome
Places-people-history
by Mick Davis
Part of the A-Z series
People have lived in the Frome area since prehistoric times and the present town dates back as far as the Saxon era. In the early days it was famous for the quality of its cloth, but the industry and trade declined in the eighteenth century. Over the centuries it has had its fair share of rioting and crime, as well as some notable personalities and eccentrics such as Thomas Bunn, an eighteenth-century philanthropist. It was also the birthplace of Benjamin Baker, builder of the Forth Bridge, and, more recently, Jenson Button, the racing driver. Today it has over 370 listed buildings – more than any other Somerset town – fourteen pubs and two thriving bookshops, as well as an increasing creative and artistic community. In this book, local authors Mick Davis and David Lassman take a journey through Frome to discover some significant and little-known aspects of its rich and varied past. From buildings and streets to people and events, A–Z of Frome highlights fascinating aspects of the town's history. Here are stories of UFO sightings, a world-famous Roman coin hoard, local inns, the search for underground tunnels and much more. Illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to local residents, visitors and anyone interested in the town's fascinating and illustrious history.
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A-Z of Bolton
Places-people-history
by Dave Burnham
Part of the A-Z series
The Lancashire town of Bolton has a rich heritage, much of which is derived from its former cotton industry. During the Industrial Revolution it grew rapidly, becoming one of the largest textile manufacturing centres in the world; however, by the 1980s the town's pre-eminent industry had come to an end.In A–Z of Bolton local author David Burnham focuses on the town's history and seeks to provide a link between its past and present. He highlights notable people, places and events across the centuries. Among famous characters, such as Nat Lofthouse, Peter Kay and Fred Dibnah, he features those who have been forgotten including Henry Ashworth, the Quaker model mill owner, martyred priest George Marsh and experimenter in mesmerism Dr Joseph Haddock. There is a mix of well-known and obscure history included. The author looks at the 1651 execution of James Stanley (7th Earl of Derby) and the 1946 Burnden Park disaster. Then there are more recent events, including the first street demonstration anywhere in the world against Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses. Illustrated throughout, this engaging and informative book will appeal to local residents and all those interested in the town's heritage.
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A-Z of Loughborough
Places-people-history
by Lynne Dyer
Part of the A-Z series
So, what is the significance of the seventeenth-century Sir Thomas Abney to Loughborough, and what is the connection between the young Princess Alexandrina, later to become Queen Victoria, and Loughborough? What is the history of the Bat House, and what is the mysterious Building N on the university campus? Which industry has its last remaining factory in Loughborough? What is the meaning of local words like 'jitty' and 'Ingle Pingle', and why is Bottleacre Lane so named? Being on the edge of the Charnwood Forest, Loughborough has woods and spinneys in abundance, but there is still plenty of space for allotments and meadows. Watercourses criss-cross the town like arteries, running from the heart of the Charnwood Forest, into the River Soar or the Grand Union Canal, and artificial bodies of water have been created on former industrial sites. In this alphabetical tour around the university market town of Loughborough, the second largest town in Leicestershire after the county town of Leicester, the author invites you to learn about the town's history through its buildings, structures, streets and thoroughfares; through its firms and local people; and through its features like waterways, woods and fields. With tales of fairs, follies and families, this book dips into some of the most interesting and intriguing parts of Loughborough's history. But do you agree with Daniel Defoe that Loughborough is a 'market town ... but of no great note?' The author sets out to gently persuade you that there is much more to Loughborough than at first might meet the eye.
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A-Z of the Wirral
Places-people-history
by Les Jones
Part of the A-Z series
Bounded by the River Dee and Wales on one side and the River Mersey and Liverpool on the other, the Wirral Peninsula has its own special history. The major towns on the Mersey – Birkenhead and Wallasey – have a strong industrial heritage. New Brighton on the Irish Sea coast was developed as a resort whereas the south and west of the Wirral is largely rural with small towns and villages. Ancient and recent history are intermingled on the Wirral, with areas of natural landscape and parklands, medieval villages and ancient buildings built of the local sandstone close to the industrial development and docks on the Mersey in the north-east and Port Sunlight to the south. A–Z of The Wirral delves into the history of the peninsula. It highlights well-known landmarks and famous residents, and digs beneath the surface to uncover some of the lesser-known facts about the Wirral and its hidden places of interest. Significant moments in its history are covered, as well as its notable buildings and other features, including famous names associated with the area from early times to the present day. This fascinating A–Z tour of the Wirral's history is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this part of the North West.
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A-Z of Evesham
Places-people-history
by Stan Brotherton
Part of the A-Z series
Evesham grew up within a bend of the River Avon around its famous abbey, one of the largest in the country, and although the abbey was destroyed in the sixteenth century, the town remained one of the most important settlements in Worcestershire. It was also the site of the battle in 1265 in which the rebel Simon de Montfort was killed by the royal army. Today it is renowned as a centre for market gardening. A–Z of Evesham reveals the history behind Evesham, its streets and buildings, businesses and the people connected with the town. Alongside the famous historic associations are unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well-known. Fully illustrated, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic Worcestershire town.
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A-Z of Lincoln
Places-people-history
by Wendy Turner
Part of the A-Z series
The cathedral city of Lincoln offers a wealth of history dating from the first-century BC settlement of 'Lindon'. In successive centuries, the Romans, Vikings and Danes all made their mark here. The city has many faces, from Steep Hill leading to the Uphill Cathedral Quarter with its beautiful cathedral dating from 1072, to the historic castle with its medieval Wall Walk and its precious Magna Carta, one of only four of the 1215 issue in existence. In A–Z of Lincoln, Wendy Turner takes the reader on an engaging alphabetical tour of the city's rich and diverse heritage. Discover stories and secrets of its notable streets and buildings and tales of its famous sons and daughters. Explore places including the Stonebow and Guildhall and treasures and artefacts from sieges, battles and celebrations through the ages. The author also reveals Lincoln's darker side, with the grim Victorian prison in the castle, its chilling tales, tombstones and remembrances of hapless inmates. Meanwhile, modern Lincoln invites us to a feast of stunning architecture, ghostly tales, the arts, wool and cloth and even its famous Lincolnshire sausages! Whatever your interest, Lincoln is the place to delve into a thousand years of people, places and history. Illustrated throughout, A–Z of Lincoln will be of interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the city.
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A-Z of Rochester
Places-people-history
by Yvonne Moxley
Part of the A-Z series
Rochester's position on the River Medway, near where it joins the Thames, has meant that it has played an important historical role for centuries. Beyond its Norman castle and cathedral and many ancient buildings, the town is surrounded by fortifications as it was a potential target for invaders, although in 1667 the Dutch were able to raid Rochester and set fire to a large number of English naval ships. The historic character of Rochester remains today with its annual Sweeps Festival and two festivals a year celebrating Dickens, who had lived nearby. The town has the only museum in the country celebrating the Huguenots.
A–Z of Rochester reveals the history behind the town, its streets and buildings, businesses and the people connected with it. Alongside the famous historical connections are unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well known. Readers will discover tales of a Victorian botanical illustrator, a Saxon saint and a celebrated Elizabethan Clerk of the Navy, among many other fascinating facts in this A–Z tour of Rochester's history. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic Kent town.
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A-Z of Nottingham
Places-people-history
by Dave Mooney
Part of the A-Z series
The largest city in the East Midlands, Nottingham has been an important centre in the area since the Middle Ages. The old Saxon borough was built around the area known today as the Lace Market and an adjoining settlement developed around the Norman castle, famously occupied by the Sheriff of Nottingham in the legendary Robin Hood stories. In later centuries Nottingham became a major manufacturer of lace and several other famous names in industry also made their home in Nottingham, including Boots the chemists, Raleigh cycles and Player's the cigarette manufacturers. The city also has a strong cultural legacy, associated with writers such as D. H. Lawrence and Alan Sillitoe. With two universities, many new industries and commercial developments, a new tram system, and a UK sporting centre with the oldest professional football team in the world, Notts County, and Nottingham Forest, and the test cricket venue of Trent Bridge, Nottingham is a vibrant, modern British city proud of its heritage including the Goose Fair which is still held every year. This fascinating A–Z tour of Nottingham, its interesting people, places and historic events, is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this city in the East Midlands.
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A-Z of Ealing
Places-people-history
by Andy Bull
Part of the A-Z series
Ealing is best known as the 'Queen of the Suburbs', but there is far more to its rich history than that. In the Middle Ages Ealing's market gardens supplied much of London's produce, and in later centuries it has played an often colourful part in history, being home to the royal mistresses of Edward III, George IV and Queen Victoria's father, the Duke of Kent; and of Spencer Perceval, the only British prime minister to be assassinated.A–Z of Ealing reveals the history behind Ealing, its streets and buildings, industries and the people connected with the borough. Alongside the famous historical connections are unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well-known. Readers will discover tales of the notorious highwayman Sixteen String Jack, Ealing's connection with the British music scene in the 1960s and Acton's history as a spa resort, among many other fascinating facts in this A–Z tour of Ealing's history. It is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic part of West London.