Reflections (Amberley Publishing)

- An exciting new local history series from Amberley - Reviews and coverage in local press and media - Authors live locally and are available to promote the book

- An exciting new local history series from Amberley - Reviews and coverage in local press and media - Authors available to promote the book

After many years of expansion and redevelopment Bicester has grown and changed considerably from the little Oxfordshire market town that it once was. Some parts of the town appear noticeably different to how they were a few generations ago, and when you look at some photographs of Victorian or pre-war Bicester it seems almost unrecognisable. Amidst all the changes however, some familiar landmarks have remained largely untouched, such as the town's medieval St Edburg's parish church and Market Square. This collection of photographs tries to cover both the changes and the consistencies to show how Bicester has developed and how its character remains. Bicester Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Bicester with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. Local author Matthew Hathaway presents this fascinating visual chronicle that ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Bicester.

The north Devon town of Bideford, situated on the estuary of the River Torridge, has a long and fascinating history as a port. From its quays sailed the first colonising venture to the New World under Sir Richard Grenville. The first Native American to be buried in England lies in its churchyard. The town was home to the Victorian novelist Charles Kingsley, who set his novel 'Westward Ho!' in the area, and its tourism industry went on to develop greatly. Still popular with visitors today, Bideford's narrow streets lead to a tree-lined quay bustling with fishing vessels, cargo and pleasure boats.In this book, writer Peter Christie and photographer Graham Hobbs have chosen a selection of old and new photographs that are individually merged to reveal how Bideford has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures combines a recent colour view with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers have the opportunity to 'step back in time' and discover what life was like for previous generations.This fascinating visual chronicle ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Bideford and will be enjoyed by residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the town.

Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland and has been a major port and industrial city since the nineteenth century. Shipbuilding has long been an important industry in the city and the Titanic Quarter, named after its most famous ship, is one of the largest waterfront developments in Europe. In the last two decades the city has become transformed, attracting large numbers of visitors to its cultural heritage. Large areas of the city have been redeveloped but much of it would also be recognisable to previous generations. Belfast Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Belfast with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. Local author Aidan Campbell presents this fascinating visual chronicle that ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Belfast. This book will be of interest to residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the area.

Although Liverpool's history goes back to the Middle Ages, the opening of the port to the Atlantic trade in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries allowed it to grow rapidly. It became one of the richest cities in the country and as a port city attracted settlers from across the British Isles and the rest of Europe and beyond. The city still boasts an impressive legacy of buildings from this era, although many have been lost following industrial decline, Second World War aerial bombardment and post-war urban planning. During the last century, many who were living in social housing in the city centre were moved out to the suburbs and although the city suffered in the period of industrial decline following the reduction of the docks and manufacturing industries, today the city is thriving again with evidence of massive regeneration along the waterfront and across much of the rest of the city. Liverpool Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the city has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Liverpool with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. Author Dan Longman presents this fascinating visual chronicle that ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Liverpool. This book will be of interest to residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the city.

Wolverhampton was a Staffordshire market town in the Middle Ages but became a major industrial town during the Industrial Revolution, renowned for coal mining, metalworking and steel making. The prosperity brought to the town from this era is in evidence in many buildings in the city, and the growing population required a large programme of public housing in the early twentieth century. The development of Wolverhampton continued post-war, with much of the centre being rebuilt in the 1960s and 1970s. Granted city status in 2000, Wolverhampton continues to be redeveloped but despite the many changes, it has retained its strong identity in the West Midlands. Wolverhampton Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Wolverhampton with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. Local author Alec Brew presents this fascinating visual chronicle that ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Wolverhampton. This book will be of interest to residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the area.

Greenwich was home to a royal palace from mediaeval times, and was a particular favourite of the Tudor monarchs and the Royal Observatory was built in Greenwich Park in the reign of Charles II. Lying on the River Thames in South East London, it has a strong maritime heritage, reflected today in the buildings of the Royal Naval College and the National Maritime Museum, and the Cutty Sark in dry dock. The centre of Greenwich has long attracted many to its market, shops, museums and theatres but Greenwich has also been an industrial area and recent decades have seen massive changes along the riverfront and on the peninsula where the old industries have been largely swept away in urban regeneration schemes. Greenwich Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Greenwich with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings, the docks and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. Author David Ramzan presents this fascinating visual chronicle that ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Greenwich.This book will be of interest to residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the area.

A reappraisal of this unique northern industrial town situated at the end of a long peninsula, Barrow-in-Furness Reflections seeks to record the changing face of the town over time. Its fortunes are in flux, and it faces huge challenges to take it forward. The evidence of the town's ambitious and aspirational past is writ large in its buildings and community, and encouragement can be taken from these. The area has an abundance of fascinating and beautiful places and a wonderful natural environment to enjoy, often overlooked because of the industry Barrow is famous for. However, its beaches, countryside and heritage sites such as Furness Abbey and Piel Castle are just as much a part of the town and its community as the townscape. Through blended images readers can see how the landscape, streets, buildings, industries, the dockyard and aspects of everyday life have changed with the passing of time. Local author Gill Jepson presents this fascinating visual chronicle that ingeniously mirrors Barrow-in-Furness past and present. This cornucopia of visual delights awaits discovery by the unsuspecting visitor and will not disappoint.

Plymouth has a long and varied history with strong connections to England's most famous mariners including Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir John Hawkins. In 1588 Drake famously continued his game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe as the Spanish Armada approached, and in 1620 the Pilgrim Fathers left from the port on their journey to the New World. Much of the city was destroyed in the Second World War, making a vast expanse unrecognisable. However, many well-loved landmarks, old buildings and streets remain. Today Plymouth continues to change, although it is possible to discover the original buildings, some dating back to medieval times, and much history lies hidden away in the backstreets of the Barbican, the Hoe and scattered throughout the city. In Plymouth Reflections a fascinating collection of historic and modern pictures are individually merged to reveal how the city has altered across the decades. Each of the 180 images combines a recent colour view with a matching archive scene showing how the buildings, streets and the way of life have changed. Local author Derek Tait presents this engaging and evocative visual chronicle that reflects Plymouth past and present. It will appeal to residents, visitors and all those who know the city well.

In 1560, Mary of Guise moved the Scottish Court to Leith, a site that is now Parliament Street, off Coalhill. Serving Edinburgh's shipbuilding and repair facilities, in subsequent centuries Leith's port saw the opening of a new Wet Dock, the first of its kind in Scotland. Leith has played a long and prominent role in Scottish history. As the major port serving Edinburgh, it has been the stage on which many significant events have taken place. From housing the Scottish Court to seeing civil war, being the port of call for royal arrivals and becoming its own burgh, Leith has seen it all. Leith Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Leith with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings, the docks and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. Local authors Jack Gillon and Fraser Parkinson present this fascinating visual chronicle that ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Leith. This book will be of interest to residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the area.

From its foundation as a Roman fort, Chester has played an important role in the history of North West England. Close to the Welsh border, the city is still surrounded by an almost complete circuit of city walls, enclosing the cathedral, castle and many other ancient buildings, including the famous Rows of black and white half-timbered buildings. Chester continued its prominence into the industrial age, with the arrival first of the canal system then the railways. Today, the city of Chester has extended with new housing well beyond the city walls and redevelopments within the city, but still attracts many to its historic centre, its race course beside the River Dee and lively cultural scene.Chester Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Chester with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings, the docks and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. Local author Paul Hurley presents this fascinating visual chronicle that ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Chester.This book will be of interest to residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the area.

One hundred years ago in Ireland marked a time of change. The continuous rise of an Irish revival, debates over Home Rule and the idea of Irish identity were continuously negotiated by all classes of society. In Cork City Reflections, authors Kieran McCarthy and Daniel Breen focus on the visual changes that have taken place in the port city on Ireland's south-west coast. Using a collection of historic postcards from Cork Public Museum and merging these with modern images they reveal how the town has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures featured combines a recent colour view with the matching sepia archive scene. The authors have grouped the images under thematic headings such as main streets, public buildings, transport, and industry. Readers will be able to appreciate how Cork City has evolved and grown over the last century but also how invaluable postcards can be in understanding the past. In an age where digital photography and the internet have made capturing and sharing images so effortless, it is easy to forget that in the decades before the camera became popular and affordable, postcards were the only photographic souvenirs available to ordinary people. This book, which vividly contrasts Cork past and present, will evoke many memories and appeal to residents and visitors alike.

Bolton has long been an important town in Lancashire. It was a centre for wool and cotton weaving in the Middle Ages and during the Industrial Revolution became a leading textile producer worldwide. The town grew rapidly in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and its population experienced both prosperity and privation, but the era left a legacy of grand civic buildings and cotton mills. As the cotton industry has declined in the twentieth century, with the last mills closing in the 1980s, modern Bolton has changed. Today's town is greener, with much of its traditional industries replaced by service industries and redeveloped shopping centres and new retail parks. Bolton Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Bolton with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. Local author Ray Jefferson presents this fascinating visual chronicle that ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Bolton.

Variously called the 'Biarritz of Wales', the 'Cambrian Brighton' and, by Wynford Vaughan Thomas, 'A town for the unambitious man', Aberystwyth has been mid-Wales's premier holiday resort for over 200 years. It is also the home of a vibrant university. Both these functions have contributed to a rich visual culture documenting the town. In Aberystwyth Reflections, local author William Troughton has brought together a fascinating collection of historic and modern photographs that are individually merged to reveal how the town has changed across the decades. As an established resort the promenade area, with its pier, bandstand, pierrots, paddling pool and seafront hotels, features in many of the images. Pictures of streets, shops, notable events, military camps, funicular and narrow-gauge railways, the harbour and vanished buildings are also included. A section looks at the development of the university campus during the 1960s and 1970s. This evocative visual chronicle, which features many previously unpublished photographs, reflects Aberystwyth past and present. It will appeal to residents, visitors and anyone with connections to the town.

Colchester's history goes back to the Iron Age and the Roman settlement that was for a while the capital of Britain. There are extensive remains of Roman Colchester that can still be seen today, as well as from its medieval and later history, including its Norman castle built on Roman foundations. The wool trade brought prosperity and many buildings date from the Tudor period, but much of today's Colchester dates from its expansion in the nineteenth century. In the years after the Second World War, areas of the town were redeveloped and this has continued in recent years, including its extensive garrison area. Colchester Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Colchester with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. Local author Patrick Denney presents this fascinating visual chronicle that ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Colchester. This book will be of interest to residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the area.

Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, has a dramatic cityscape and its wealth of historic streets and buildings make up the UNESCO Old and New Towns World Heritage Site. The city has also been subject to a myriad of changes through the years. This book features several landmark buildings but concentrates attention on areas which have been subject to change through redevelopment. Edinburgh Reflections features a collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Edinburgh with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings and everyday life have been transformed with the passing of time. This book will be of interest to residents, visitors, local historians, and all those with links to Edinburgh.

Jarrow's early history is associated with its medieval monastery, home of the Anglo-Saxon scholar Bede, but much of the town developed later during the Industrial Revolution, when coal mining and shipbuilding became the dominant industries in the area. The closure of Palmer's shipyard in the 1930s dealt a serious blow to the town's prosperity but by the start of the Second World War new industries opened in the town: a ship-breaking yard, an engineering works and a steelworks. The docks have been largely filled in after the last shipyard closed in the 1980s and the town has been redeveloped in recent decades. Jarrow Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. The 180 pictures in this book combine a recent colour view of Jarrow with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. Professional photographer and local author Paul Perry presents this fascinating visual chronicle that reflects past and present glimpses of Jarrow.

Walworth, in the London borough of Southwark, was mentioned in the Domesday Book and, over the centuries, this former rural, agricultural area has been engulfed by the expansion and urban sprawl of the capital city. This part of London is constantly changing, particularly at the start of a new decade. In Walworth Reflections, local authors Darren Lock and Mark Baxter have brought together a fascinating collection of old and new photographs that have been individually merged to show the surprisingly rapid changes in London SE17 through the decades. Readers can compare the old Walworth with the fast-emerging new, which is a melting pot of cultures and classes living cheek by jowl amid the regeneration of an often undervalued part of London. Each of the 180 images effectively contrasts the changes, and readers will see how streets, buildings, businesses and aspects of everyday life have altered within living memory. This superb visual chronicle of Walworth past and present will appeal to residents and everyone with connections to this area.

Wallasey expanded massively in the nineteenth century following the construction of the docks, which brought in a wealth of other industries, including shipbuilding. Wealthy Liverpool inhabitants moved to be beside the coast on the Wirral Peninsula and the area also attracted visitors as a resort was built up at New Brighton. What was originally a number of villages merged into the town of Wallasey, but in the second half of the twentieth century the town went into decline, having to rebuild following the devastation of aerial bombardment during the Second World War and as trade in the docks moved elsewhere. Going forwards into the twenty-first century, the individual towns have managed to keep a distinctive identity. Wallasey Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Wallasey with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect readers can see how streets, buildings and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. This fascinating visual chronicle ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Wallasey and will be of interest to residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the area.

Preston has a rich history that fortunately was captured on camera from its days as a cotton town. In Preston Reflections, local author Keith Johnson presents a fascinating visual chronicle, reflecting on the endeavours and achievements of bygone generations that made the university city of today. This book shows readers glimpses of Preston past and present. There have been periods of poverty, progress and prosperity, and displays of pomp, pageantry and patriotism, all of which have left us with images to cherish. Every picture tells its own story and the images featured, which ingeniously merge historic and modern scenes in one view, reflect the changes through time in a unique and enchanting way. Each one enables you to linger in the past and compare the current view. Viewing the old and new images uncovers layers of history perhaps forgotten yet at the root of the lives of earlier generations. This superb collection of pictures cleverly mirrors life in Preston today and in bygone times.