Secret (Amberley Publishing)
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Secret Margate
by Andy Bull
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The seaside town of Margate in Kent has based its livelihood on the sea since its beginnings. It was one of the first places to be developed as a seaside resort in the Georgian era. Margate's sandy beaches became popular with Londoners first with the advent of steam packets in 1815 and even more so after the railways arrived later in the nineteenth century. The changing pattern of holidaying in the UK led to a decline in the fortunes of Margate in the latter years of the twentieth century, but in recent times the town has seen an upsurge including new developments such as the Turner Contemporary Gallery.In this book author Andy Bull reveals the hidden history of Margate, from the foundation of the world's first sea-bathing hospital and the playground of Regency royalty, to the creation of Dreamland. This town has been the haunt of artists, writers and actors, and boasts the most haunted theatre in the country and the first modern bungalow. Secret Margate explores the lesser-known episodes and characters of the town through the centuries, and will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this town in Kent.
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Secret Wimbledon & Southfields
by Ruth Mansergh
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Mention Wimbledon and most people immediately think of the world-famous tennis tournament, which is the oldest tennis championships in the world having taken place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 1877. However, the history of the area far surpasses that of the prestigious championships. Wimbledon has been inhabited since the Iron Age. The original medieval village – now known as Wimbledon Village – developed with a stable rural population co-existing alongside nobility and wealthy merchants from the city. The arrival of the London & South West Railway in 1838 saw the focus of subsequent developments shift away from the original village towards the town. The neighbouring district of Southfields was largely an area of fields between the villages of Wimbledon and Putney, until the coming of the railway in the late nineteenth century, connecting Wimbledon to Putney Bridge. It has since grown into an area of Victorian and Edwardian houses.In this book, author Ruth Mansergh uncovers aspects of Wimbledon and Southfields' past that are lesser known in the present day. The author discovers tales of highwaymen on Wimbledon Common and the visit of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1891, who was honoured with a grand military display here. Other chapters explore interesting buildings, industry (from basketmaking to toys and sauce manufacturing), notable people, wartime and the development of Wimbledon town. Secret Wimbledon & Southfields presents a fascinating chronicle of the intriguing and hidden heritage of the area.
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Secret Cromer and Sheringham
by Lorna Talbott
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The north Norfolk coastal towns of Cromer and Sheringham, roughly 4 miles apart, were both small fishing villages until their development in the nineteenth century. Cromer became a fashionable resort and the arrival of the railways spurred growth in neighbouring Sheringham. Both towns are still popular with visitors to this stretch of north Norfolk, romantically nicknamed 'Poppyland' by the Victorians. In this book author Lorna Talbott delves into the history of Cromer and Sheringham. Part of medieval Cromer now lies under the sea and the remains of its church became a shipping hazard in later centuries. The history of both towns is intertwined with the fishing industry, particularly for crabs, but industries such as lime burning and brick making left their mark on the local landscape and other less legal trades such as smuggling were also practised. Throughout their history sea rescue was vital to Cromer and Sheringham and many in the towns served in the often perilous work of the lifeboats. The leisure industry also grew as the towns became popular with visitors and at one time were promoted as spa towns. The Victorians built grand hotels as well as starting the caravan trade. The first pier in Cromer's history was built in the fourteenth century and today's pier has seen a fascinating roll call of entertainers over the years. Secret Cromer & Sheringham explores all this and more, revealing the secrets of these Norfolk towns.
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Secret Oswestry
by John Idris Jones
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The Shropshire town of Oswestry, lying close to the Welsh border, has long been significant and its history reveals its mixed Welsh and English heritage. At one time part of the Welsh kingdom of Powys, Oswestry's history stretches back into the Bronze Age and it is the site of one of the best-preserved hill forts in Britain. In this book author John Idris Jones reveals the hidden history of Oswestry and its surrounding villages. From its connections to the legendary figure of King Arthur and the site of the battle between the competing Saxon kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria where King Oswald, from whom the town's name is derived, died, to the Norman takeover of the area and the later revolt by Owain Glyndwr, Oswestry has been fought over for centuries. It also developed as a prosperous market town serving the community and later is famed as the birthplace of First World War poet Wilfred Owen. Secret Oswestry is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this ancient town.
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Secret Dunfermline
by Gregor Stewart
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The ancient royal burgh of Dunfermline has a long and proud heritage. This erstwhile capital of Scotland had strong royal connections until James VI relocated the Scottish Crown to London following the Union of Crowns in 1603. The Reformation in the mid-sixteenth century had already seen a loss of the town's ecclesiastical importance. These two events set in train a period of decline in Dunfermline's fortunes until the introduction of the linen industry in the eighteenth century, and though the latter would not survive the First World War, the town's economic future had by then been secured with the establishment of the Royal Navy dockyards at nearby Rosyth. Local historian Gregor Stewart delves into Dunfermline's secret history to discover lesser-known stories and people from the town's past.
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Secret Grantham
by John Pinchbeck
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The market town of Grantham has always been an important centre in Lincolnshire because of its position alongside the Great North Road, the main north–south route through England, now the modern-day A1 road. Its wealth in medieval times is shown by the large parish church of St Wulfram's, which has one of the tallest spires in the country. The coming of the railways in the 1850s gave another boost to the town's economy and it has grown significantly in the last two centuries. In that period it has become a centre for engineering as well as food processing. During the Second World War the town was home to the Bomber Command HQ responsible for planning the Dambusters raid, as well as a Troop Carrier Command section of the USAAF's Ninth Air Force's IX. The town is also renowned as place where the scientist and mathematician Isaac Newton attended school, for being the birthplace of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and also where the first policewoman in England served. It also boasts the oldest surviving inn in England as well as the only living pub sign in the country (a hive of bees).Secret Grantham explores the lesser-known episodes and faces of the town's history. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away historical buildings, Secret Grantham will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this Lincolnshire town.
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Secret Swanage and Around
by Andrew Jackson
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
- A new title in Amberley's popular 'Secret' series
- Review coverage in local press and media
- Author is available to promote the book
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Secret Folkestone
by Terry Begent
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
- A new title in Amberley's popular 'Secret' series
- Review coverage in local press and media
- Authors live locally and are available to promote the book
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Secret Redcar, Marske and Saltburn
by Colin Wilkinson
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The town of Redcar and the resort of Saltburn-by-the-Sea, with the adjoining village of Marske-by-the-Sea, lie on an 8-mile stretch of the coast in north-east England. In this book author Colin Wilkinson reveals the stories behind how these once small villages along a remote coast grew into the present-day resorts. Centuries ago, the beaches were ideal for smugglers. The arrival of the railway in the nineteenth century brought an influx of visitors and at the same time new industries emerged following the discovery of iron ore in the local hills, bringing in more people looking for work. In the twentieth century war left its mark on the area. In the First World War lookout posts were set up on the beaches, an early warning station was built to listen for Zeppelins and at Marske an aerodrome was set up nearby to train pilots. Depression in the 1930s and post-war industrial decline brought hardship to the area, but the holiday industry boomed in the first half of the twentieth century and has seen a resurgence in recent years. Over the course of the last century Redcar has seen the birth of Redcar Racecourse, motor racing along the beach, famous visitors such as Emily Pankhurst and Keir Hardy and much more. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Redcar, Marske and Saltburn will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this corner of the coastline of the North East.
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Secret Newham
by Malcolm Batten
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
- A new title in Amberley' popular 'Secret' series
- Review coverage in local press and media
- Author lives locally and is available to promote the book
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Secret Bracknell
by Marion Field
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Bracknell was developed as a 'new town' in 1949, but the area had been evolving since Saxon times. A royal charter from AD 942 mentions 'Bracken Head' and a local comprehensive school still bears the name 'Brackenhale'. It was a popular hunting ground for kings and queens and it was here that the widowed Catherine of Aragon became friendly with the newly crowned Henry VIII and secretly married him. Bull-baiting and cock fighting were popular until 1835, when both were banned. Subsequently a pub in the high street bears the name 'The Bull'. In the eighteenth century, highwaymen and street gangs flourished and stories of their exploits abound. Secret Bracknell will incorporate many of the little-known stories of royal visitors, highwaymen, murders, ghosts and other incidents hidden beneath the 'new town'.
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Secret Worthing
by James Henry
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Every town and village has a secret or two tucked away; Worthing is no exception. This popular Sussex seaside resort on the south coast is an eclectic mix of Edwardian, Georgian and Victorian architecture, with a splash of art deco and a smattering of medieval if you know where to look. Local history books are an invaluable source of information, charting the development of a town, but there are some oddities and curiosities that lack explanation or merit few words. It is these that James and Colin have set themselves the task of investigating. Few will realise that they are walking in the footsteps of Oscar Wilde or Jane Austen, both of whom were short-term residents of Worthing. Within these pages you'll discover stories of places, people and objects. Join us as we discover those secrets often hidden in plain view.
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Secret Bude
by Dawn G. Robinson
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The third book about Bude by Dawn Robinson is a little different to the first two. Certainly, it contains historical and contemporary images; however, its focus is very much on the facts, fiction, people and places you may know little about in this friendly seaside town. Bude has little by way of ancient history but it has plenty of tales to be told. Home to fascinating characters and events, Bude is an enthralling community. For example, did you know that Bude was home to a survivor of the Titanic? Or that the creator of the artwork of a famous tarot deck died in Bude? That Tennyson was known to have visited? Or that a story very akin to Romeo & Juliet actually occurred nearby? Additionally, there are plentiful tales of shipwrecks, piracy and even smuggling along Bude's rocky shores. With much to capture your interest, this book walks you along some lesser-known paths of Bude's history, including an astonishing fictional Cornish tale of murder, plus many places and spaces which few people are aware of. If visiting Bude, get the inside story of what to look out for, and where to go to get a true feel of the town's history.
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Secret Newcastle-Under-Lyme
by Mervyn Edwards
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Both the town of Newcastle-under-Lyme and its name almost certainly owe their existence to the building of a 'new' castle there in the mid-twelfth century. The town's importance gradually grew from the twelfth to the eighteenth centuries, by which time Newcastle was referred to as the 'Capital of North Staffordshire' and the place to go for markets, fairs, doctors, banks and lawyers. The twentieth century wrought huge changes on Newcastle-under-Lyme, but traces of the town's fascinating history are visible to the enquiring eye. Join local author Mervyn Edwards as he delves into the past in this unique approach to the town's history, blending the serious with the frivolous, seeking out Newcastle-under-Lyme's hidden secrets.
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Secret Gateshead
by Rob Kirkup
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Gateshead has often been portrayed as the 'poor relative' in comparison to its larger and more glamorous Tyneside neighbour, Newcastle. But Gateshead has a long and proud industrial and social history, much of which has sadly gone, but in recent years there has been a revival in Gateshead's social and cultural infrastructure, which has placed it firmly on the tourist map.The twentieth and twenty-first centuries wrought huge changes on Gateshead, but traces of the town's fascinating history are visible to the enquiring eye. Local author Rob Kirkup delves into the past in this unique approach to the town's history, blending dark deeds and strange tales with long-forgotten facts and amusing stories, seeking out Gateshead's many hidden secrets.
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Secret Kendal
by Andrew Graham Stables
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Secret Kendal offers a unique insight into the 'Gateway to the Lakes' through a series of little-known and forgotten stories, facts and anecdotes from its past. Local author Andrew Graham Stables takes the reader on a fascinating journey from pre-Roman times to the present day. He tells how a mistake in the preparation of peppermint creams led to the town's most famous export, as well as introducing the reader to nefarious characters and telling tales of dark deeds from its long and often grisly history. Secret Kendal delves beneath the surface of this ancient market town, revealing a lesser-known and unsavoury past that even most local people don't know.
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Secret North Shields & Tynemouth
by David Scholey
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Situated in Tyne and Wear, the neighbouring communities of North Shields and Tynemouth are very different, but each has depended on the other for its existence over the years. Tynemouth is a small pretty seaside village overlooking the harbour of the River Tyne. Conversely, North Shields is a hard, industrial town, which was founded on the industries of mining, fishing and salt. The ruins of Tynemouth Priory and Castle dominate a rocky headland and today attract many visitors. The priory was built in around 1090 on the site of a much earlier chapel and although the prior had considerable influence, critically, he had no power over neighbouring Newcastle upon Tyne. In this book author David Scholey explores the rich history of the area and uncovers some surprises and secrets along the way. The book relates how the town and village came into existence and the battles with Newcastle over the existence of North Shields, once described as 'a town where no towns ought to be'. Readers will also discover more about the local people – the sailors, inventors and entertainers – and how, against the odds, they still remain proud and defiant. Illustrated throughout, Secret North Shields & Tynemouth offers a fascinating insight into the heritage of this part of the North East, and will be of immense interest to residents, visitors and all those with connections to the area.
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Secret Tewkesbury
by David Elder
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
From its Saxon beginnings to the severe floods of 2007, Tewkesbury is one of Britain's most remarkable towns. It is well known for its Norman abbey of cathedral-like proportions and the great battle which proved to be one of the most decisive in the Wars of the Roses, but its history contains much more that has often been overlooked. In this book local author David Elder delves deep into Tewkesbury's lost, forgotten and hidden histories, recounting some remarkable stories. Learn, for example, about some of the town's minor celebrities and local characters – from the seaman who carried Admiral Nelson's wounded body to the cockpit of HMS Victory, to the miserly tanner who amassed a great fortune 'for no higher purpose than the sordid desire of seeing it uselessly accumulate'. The author unearths fascinating facts, celebrating the town's tradition of nonconformity which led to more than one riot, and provides fascinating insights into how the town's inhabitants were once comically portrayed as having sharp features because it was assumed that they lived on the town's famous hot, pungent mustard! With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Tewkesbury will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this town in Gloucestershire.
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Secret Staines-Upon-Thames and Laleham
by Jill Armitage
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
- A new title in Amberley's popular 'Secret' series
- Review coverage in local press and media
- Author lives locally and is available to promote the book
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Secret Redditch
by Anne Bradford
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The Worcestershire town of Redditch grew up in the Middle Ages but became famous for needle manufacturing, and by the nineteenth century it produced 90 per cent of the world's needles. Alongside the needle industry, the town was also known for manufacturing fishing tackle, hooks and springs, and in the twentieth century other industries followed, including Royal Enfield. Redditch was transformed in the 1960s when it was designated a New Town, much of it being rebuilt as an example of modern town planning and new housing developments doubling the population. Although the traditional industries have largely disappeared, other new businesses and services have taken their place and Redditch is a thriving town. In Secret Redditch local author Anne Bradford reveals many little-known stories about Redditch from its medieval past to more recent times. These include a hidden cemetery left by the monks and a mysterious stone coffin, the scandalous elopement of an heiress at Hanbury Hall, a tucked-away memorial to a needleworker's death and another memorial stone to a notorious murder, the remains of the now closed Redditch to Evesham railway and much more. The hidden world of old Redditch behind the new town is revealed including little-known stories about the development of the new town and how the shopping centre was built on the old town plan.
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Secret Deal & Walmer
by Gregory Holyoake
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Situated on the south-east coast of Kent, the picturesque twin towns of Deal and Walmer attract many visitors due to their location and extensive history that spans the centuries. Both have a rich military and maritime heritage, notably with their links to the historic Cinque Ports. Deal rose to become one of the busiest ports in England and possessed its own thriving Navy Yard to service warships at anchor in the famous Downs anchorage. The coastline's strategic importance led to Henry VIII ordering the building of defensive fortresses in both towns, while notable figures such as Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington have strong connections to the area. In Secret Deal & Walmer local author Gregory Holyoake explores the history of both towns and delves beneath the surface to seek out some lesser-known stories and hidden aspects of their heritage. His engaging exploration uncovers intriguing facts, interesting buildings, surprising tales and the prominent people and colourful characters with links to this corner of Kent. Different chapters focus on subjects including churches and chapels, murder, mystery and mayhem, entertainment and sport, castles and – as you would expect – smuggling. Discover Deal's links with the Royal Marines, its curious Timeball Tower, the Duke of Wellington's residency at Walmer Castle and much more. Illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to residents, visitors and anyone interested in the history of these fascinating twin towns.
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Secret Haverfordwest
by Patricia Swales Barker
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Haverfordwest is the county town of Pembrokeshire. In the Middle Ages, the town grew around its Norman castle and because of its strategic position on major routes in South West Wales from the coast, it soon became an important commercial centre for the area. In Secret Haverfordwest local author Patricia Swales Barker looks at the history of Haverfordwest below the surface of the town, from the changing story of its governance through the centuries, its religious and educational foundations, how its inhabitants were cared for in sickness, poverty and old age, the administration of justice through the years, to local charities, sport and leisure activities, the importance of the River Cleddau and the town's trading links, businesses and industries drawn to Haverfordwest and the stories behind its street names. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Haverfordwest will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this town in Pembrokeshire in South West Wales.
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Secret Cirencester
by David Elder
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Cirencester is one of the most remarkable towns in Britain. From its Roman beginnings around AD 75, when it was classed second only in importance to London, to its current status as the 'Capital of the Cotswolds', it has always punched well above its weight. The 'A-side' of its history as a small market town which developed at the centre of the Cotswold wool trade is well documented, but what about its ' ip-side'? Much of the town's fascinating history has either been overlooked or lies hidden below the surface. Well-known local author David Elder delves deep into Cirencester's lost, forgotten and hidden histories, recounting some remarkable stories. Learn, for example, about some of Cirencester's minor celebrities and local characters, including the Victorian female astronomer who became a national expert in sunspots and solar eclipses. He also unearths fascinating facts, celebrating, for example, the town's accolade of having the UK's oldest public outdoor swimming pool in continuous use, and explaining why it was important for passengers travelling on the railways around the mid-nineteenth century to understand that Cirencester time was 7 ½ minutes earlier than London time. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Cirencester will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this town in Gloucestershire.
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Secret Beccles
by Barry Darch
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
- The latest in Amberley's popular 'Secret' series
- Reviews and coverage in local press and media
- Established local author
- Sales potential in heritage and visitor attractions as well as bookshops
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Secret Ealing
by Paul Howard Lang
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Originally a county town in Middlesex, Ealing became known as the 'Queen of the Suburbs' at the beginning of the last century. Famous for the Ealing Studios, the oldest film studios in the world, in this book authors Paul Lang and Dr Jonathan Oates delve into the fascinating but often lesser-known history of this district. Characters associated with Ealing include Olga Grey, hockey player and MI5 agent, and Ealing's pro-Hitler MP, and other links with espionage and political extremism include suspected Soviet spies and a Communist cell in nineteenth-century Hanwell. Crime has stalked the streets of Ealing with the tale of the disappearance of Peregrine Henniker-Heaton and dissent when the borough was home to anti-German riots in 1915 and the Sunday Opening controversy in the 1930s. Alongside these tales the authors uncover stories of sports stars, film studios, wartime and ancient Ealing. Secret Ealing explores the lesser-known episodes and characters in the history of the borough through the years. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, it will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this West London district.
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Secret East Grinstead
by Dorothy Hatswell
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
There is a history of East Grinstead that is hidden from view, lost under the modern town's bustling surface. The town's High Street is dominated by one of the longest continuous runs of fourteenth-century timber-framed houses in England, houses that have witnessed many of the secrets contained in this book. Many famous faces have resided in the town over the years, from Patrick Moore to Neil Gaiman, and many surprising individuals have had brief encounters with the town, including Charles Rennie Mackintosh and John F. Kennedy. St Swithun resided in the town, and his story, which has become English lore, can all be traced back to events within the town. Featuring photographs, anecdotes and places to visit, Secret East Grinstead goes behind the façades of the familiar to discover the lesser-known artefacts of East Grinstead's fascinating history. Its markets, buildings and churches each have a tale to tell, and its proximity to London has meant the town has received a whole host of interesting events. Join authors Dorothy Hatswell and Simon Kerr on a journey off the beaten track, and discover the real East Grinstead.
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Secret Islington and Clerkenwell
by Lucy Mcmurdo
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Secret Islington and Clerkenwell delves into this historic area's often unknown but colourful past. It takes the reader on a fascinating journey from the time when these villages were rural communities up to the thriving, vibrant neighbourhoods they are today. You will discover what made the area initially so attractive to farmers and dairy maids, why so many monastic communities settled here in the Middle Ages, and how a seventeenth-century waterway supplying water to Londoners was not only built in the district but is still providing water to the capital today.
This book highlights the role that great revolutionary figures such as Wat Tyler, Lenin, Mazzini and Garibaldi have played in Clerkenwell, as well as the contribution made by its very many immigrants, especially the Huguenots, Italian and Irish. You will discover how in the late 1800s extreme poverty and squalid living in unsanitary rookeries led to great criminal activity and how benevolent philanthropists stepped in to provide the local population with improved facilities and social housing.
With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of these areas of London.
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Secret Dorking
by Eddy Greenfield
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Dorking has long been a popular market town in the Surrey Hills. Lying on a number of major routes, in the eighteenth century the town became an important stopping place for stagecoaches between London and the south coast. Dorking's proximity to London also attracted wealthy residents who built large estates around the town, a number of which remain today. Dorking was home not only to its market but beneath the streets there is an extensive cave system. Important roles were played in the town by the old workhouse, one of its residents being a Victoria Cross holder, the community hospital and its three police stations, including investigating the foiled assassination of Lady Beaverbrook. The First World War brought Dorking an influx of refugees from London's East End and in the 1930s Oswald Mosley tried to make the town a centre of Blackshirt activity. Accounts of conscientious objectors are included, as well as the time the RAF nearly dropped an atomic bomb on the town and Dorking's present-day role in a number of film and small-screen favourites. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or vanished historical buildings and locations, Secret Dorking will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this town in Surrey.
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Secret Dorchester and Around
by Andrew Jackson
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Dorset's county town of Dorchester is famous for its association with the writer Thomas Hardy but its history contains much more that has often been overlooked. Secret Dorchester & Around delves deep into the town's lost, forgotten and hidden histories, recounting some remarkable stories. The area was an important Iron Age stronghold, the huge hill fort of Maiden Castle outside today's town being taken over by the Romans in the first century AD. The Romans left an extensive legacy in Dorchester including an amphitheatre at Maumbury Rings which was later used as an execution site for eighty rebels from the Monmouth Rebellion condemned to death by Judge Jeffreys at the Bloody Assizes held in the town. Two centuries later, the Tolpuddle Martyrs were sentenced in Dorchester to penal servitude in Australia following their attempts to set up a trade union of agricultural workers in the nearby village of Tolpuddle. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Dorchester & Around will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this town in Dorset.
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Secret Wokingham
by Richard Gibbs
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The Berkshire town of Wokingham has over 1,000 years of history, and this history is interwoven with the bigger story of England. Underneath the vestiges of the modern town, it is still possible to uncover Wokingham's secret past, which includes bull-baiting and highwaymen, breweries and medieval fairs. This book looks at the history of the town from its founding through to the current day, covering, among other things, Wokingham Town Hall and its unique form of governance, provisions for the poor and old in the Lucas Hospital almshouses and the Old Workhouse, poaching in nearby Windsor Forest, and Wokingham's first cinema, The Electric Theatre. Wokingham's medieval Rose Street and surviving ancient houses are explored, as well as the town's oldest pub and its brewing history. The transformation of the town with the arrival of the railways is also examined. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Wokingham will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this historic town in Berkshire.
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Secret Knaresborough
by Paul Chrystal
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Knaresborough has many secrets, and as you walk down the streets you are walking through history. There are clear reminders of the town's past everywhere, waiting for you to stop, look and listen to their intriguing stories. Situated on the River Nidd, this town, famous for its market and spa, has witnessed many of the key episodes of English history. Granted a castle by William the Conqueror, the town went on to house, among others, John of Gaunt, Mary Shipton and Guy Fawkes. As well as Knaresborough's famous locals, the surrounding landscape also has significance. The caves, woods and rivers that frame the town each have their own stories. On a journey through this ancient market town, local historian Paul Chrystal recounts these untold tales. A history that spans centuries, these stories offer an intriguing insight into the area, as well as showcasing the role Knaresborough has played in British history. You may think you know Knaresborough, but take a look around and you will find more than you could possibly imagine.
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Secret Black Country
by Andrew Homer
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The towns and villages west of Birmingham, around Dudley, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Wallsall, became known as the Black Country during the Industrial Revolution due to the intense industrialisation of the area, particularly coal mining and ironworking. The towns soon became one continuously built-up area, which developed its own distinctive character. Secret Black Country explores the lesser-known episodes and characters in the history of the area through the years, from Dudley Castle and royal connections with Lady Jane Grey and Queen Elizabeth I, visits by Charles I and Charles II in the English Civil War and visits by the future Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson to Himley Hall, which became a Red Cross hospital for patients with severe facial injuries during the Second World War, to the evidence of Charlie Chaplin's birthplace on Black Patch Park in Smethwick. Entries include the massive cavern beneath Dudley Zoo used for storage during the Second World War, the stories behind the gruesome nineteenth-century robbery and murder that caused Fir Tree Hill to be renamed and the tragic death of Dorothy Beaumont, wife of the Deputy Commander of Dudley Castle, while under siege in the Civil War, who is said to still haunt the ruins. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will reveal the hidden heritage of this historic area.
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Secret Great Yarmouth & Gorleston
by Pete Goodrum
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
A fishing port for centuries, a holiday resort since the 1760s and a vital part of the energy industry since the 1960s, Great Yarmouth has a long and fascinating history. Yarmouth's position at the mouth of the River Yare enabled it to become a major trading port in the Middle Ages as well as a centre of the lucrative herring fishing industry. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries it was a supply base for the Royal Navy and found itself in the front line again when it was bombed in the First and Second World Wars. Significant parts of the town were destroyed, including many of the unique maze of alleys and lanes behind the seafront known as 'the Rows'. However, much of the historical fabric of the town remains, and today it welcomes many visitors to its legendary seafront.
In Secret Great Yarmouth & Gorleston, author Pete Goodrum takes a new look at the town, exploring facts and stories ranging from the legendary to the little known. Covering Great Yarmouth's ancient charter, naval history and its architecture, as well as its successes and tragedies, the book spans 900 years of a community's life. Significant events and tiny details are woven together to tell Great Yarmouth and Gorleston's wonderful story.
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Secret Abergavenny
by Tim Butters
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Secret Abergavenny offers a unique insight into the sleepy Welsh market town, proving that there's a lot more to the 'Gateway to Wales' than meets the eye. Did you know that Adolph Hitler's deputy Rudolph Hess was kept in the town under lock and key during the Second World War, or that Abergavenny was declared its own nation in 1404 by Ieuan ab Owain Glyndwr in an arrangement that lasted approximately two weeks. John Lennon once landed there by helicopter to play a gig with the rest of The Beatles at the town hall, and Marty Wilde was so infatuated with the place he wrote a Top 40 hit called 'Taking a Trip up to Abergavenny' to express his love for the 'paradise people' who lived there. Local journalist Tim Butters takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the town's past, introducing us to the likes of Potato Creek Johnny, credited with finding the largest gold nugget in the Wild West, as well as more nefarious characters such as 'Abergavenny Alice' who personally beheaded seventy Irishmen in revenge for killing her Norman lover.It's fair to say that for a little town, Abergavenny has a big history, and a lot of it remains largely unknown. Now's your chance to find out more.
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Secret Northwich & Around
by Adrian Bridge
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Through much of its history the Cheshire town of Northwich was little more than 6 statutory acres. This modest settlement was surrounded by other small townships, which it gradually absorbed over time. The bonds between central Northwich and its surrounding villages and settlements have been very strong for centuries. The long industrial history of parts of Northwich – famous for its salt, soda ash and shipbuilding – contrast with the semi-rural character of areas such as Davenham and Hartford. In Secret Northwich & Around, local authors Adrian and Dawn L. Bridge delve beneath the surface of the area's fascinating history and focus upon aspects of its past that are lesser known, but of considerable significance. Among the subjects highlighted is the massive impact that slave trade money had on the local economy. Other chapters look at local industries, people, power and controversy and Victorian politics. The authors also explore hidden aspects of the locality's past, which include topics ranging from law and order to public health, poverty and wartime. Illustrated throughout, with colour and archive images, this book will be of interest to local residents, visitors and all those with connections to the area.
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Secret Yorkshire Dales
by Mike Appleton
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Idyllic and breathtaking, the Yorkshire Dales is one of the most popular and well-known national parks not only in Britain, but throughout the world. Designated a national park in 1954, it attracts millions of visitors each year who are lured there by the spectacular scenery. Then there are historic towns such as Skipton, Settle and Hawes. Its landscapes are famous and rewarding whilst picturesque chocolate box villages are untouched from a bygone era and yield a life full of character. But there is more to the Dales than meets the eye. With 841 square miles of beauty and things to do, it's full of hidden gems that show a glimpse of its lesser-known heritage. In Secret Yorkshire Dales, author Mike Appleton takes the reader on an enlightening and entertaining journey through the park's past, delving beneath the surface to uncover its secrets. You'll discover a network of passages that have shaped the landscape above it, learn why the clack of needles was to be feared and hear folk tales from years past. You'll also find out about hidden kilns and mines, discover why a village had to drive a spike through the heart of a dead man and tread along long-forgotten routes and pathways. Then there are the secret inns, meeting places, notable folk, the intriguing cottage industries and much more that make this area special.
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Secret St Albans
by Kate Morris
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
St Albans has a long and fascinating history from its pre-Roman settlement as Verlamion, through the Roman municipium of Verulamium, the Benedictine monastery dedicated to Alban, the first British Christian martyr, to the charter borough and market created by Edward VI in 1553 and the city designated by royal edict in 1877. The town's location on the ancient Watling Street linking London with the Midlands and the North West has ensured its significance in each of these periods. In this book, local author Kate Morris portrays episodes in the social life of the charter borough and market, when the town gained in popularity with City merchants and professional folk, often as their 'second home'. Morris reveals lesser-known events and characters of the Early Modern period of the town's history. Some of the tales and happenings revealed are not untypical of those in other English towns, but their telling in this context will appeal to all those with an interest in St Albans and its history, and the book's period illustrations and modern photography will delight.
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Secret Bournemouth
by Andrew Jackson
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Although Bournemouth was only developed in the last 200 years, the town has a fascinating history. Behind the façade of this seaside resort is a story of singular events, little-known personalities and places that are often overlooked or forgotten. In Secret Bournemouth, author Andrew Jackson reveals the history of the town, from the creation of a resort by the Tregonwell family in an area of sand dunes and heath frequented by smugglers to the present-day large business and commercial centre on the south coast. Along the way we look at Bournemouth at war, its special place in aeronautical history, entertainments and other leisure attractions that have attracted many people over the years, its connections to the arts and literature and much more. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and hidden or vanished historical buildings and locations, Secret Bournemouth will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this resort on the south coast.
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Secret Wigan
by Sue Gerrard
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The Lancashire town of Wigan has prehistoric roots and developed in importance through Roman and medieval times. It played a leading role in the English Civil War, being occupied by the Parliamentarians. It grew dramatically during the Industrial Revolution, with its coal mines and cotton industry, and later came to prominence thanks to George Orwell's book The Road to Wigan Pier, which documented the poverty of the working classes in the 1930s. In this book, author Sue Gerrard explores the town's history and seeks out some lesser-known stories and surprising aspects of its heritage along the way. Wigan is a sporting centre as it has both a rugby league team, the Wigan Warriors, and Wigan Athletic Football Club, who won the FA Cup in 2013. Over the decades it has been home to actors Sir Ian McKellen and Roy Kinnear, and comedians George Formby, Frank Randle and Ted Ray. Secret Wigan includes historical sites such as the thirteenth-century Mab's Cross right through to the town's place in the modern world. From mills to Mint Balls, coal to cavaliers and notable buildings to Northern Soul, this fascinating book will interest residents, visitors and all those with links to the town.
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Secret City of Southend
by Ian Yearsley
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Southend-on-Sea was only developed in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when it became a popular seaside resort, but behind its façade lie many little-known and fascinating stories. In Secret City of Southend, author Ian Yearsley reveals the history beneath the surface of Southend from its eight historic parishes to the present-day commercial centre. Amongst the topics covered are the old parish boundary markers that can be found today, what the various street names reveal about the times when they were built, the tramway and boulevard systems, the key role played by the town in the Second World War and the relics of wartime that still survive, the redevelopment of the town centre in the 1960s and 1970s, the blue plaques to famous locals – and much more.With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret City of Southend will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this town in Essex.
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Secret Truro
by Christine Parnell
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Truro has been an important port since the Middle Ages, and its status as a stannary town, allowing it to assay and stamp copper and tin from Cornish mines, also brought prosperity to the town. Wealthy families settled in Truro, benefitting from mining and other industries such as iron-smelting, potteries and tanneries and the town was given city status by Queen Victoria and the foundations laid for a new cathedral. Today it is the administrative and commercial centre for Cornwall. This book explores Truro's history, including personalities such as Richard Lander, the explorer, and his contemporaries in the cultural hotbed of eighteenth-and nineteenth-century Truro. The Assembly Rooms which once stood in High Cross welcomed Sarah Siddons, General Tom Thumb and regular local entertainer Joseph Emidy who was once a slave. The Truro River has stories to tell, as do the cathedral, churches and chapels, and there are tales of law and order in the city, fires and other emergencies. The authors take the reader down the 'opes', alleys and lanes to reveal interesting anecdotes about musical events, clubs and societies, monuments and plaques, gravestones under the pavement and the 106 public houses that once served Truro. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Truro will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this fascinating city in Cornwall.
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Secret Portsmouth
by Steve Wallis
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
In these days of ubiquitous, non-stop media and information you would think that there were few secrets anywhere left to reveal. However, when it comes to the grand old city of Portsmouth, there remain a surprising number of facts and idiosyncrasies which, over the years, have remained obscure, to say the least. Secret Portsmouth is an historical journey through one of England's oldest sea ports, unearthing nuggets of its early history and revealing many hidden secrets and little-known details to fascinate and inform residents and visitors alike.
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Secret Kingston Upon Thames
by Julian McCarthy
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Where were Cut Throat Alley and Heathen Street? How many could be hanged at one time and where? Who won the battle of the town undertakers? Secret Kingston upon Thames goes behind the façades of the familiar to discover the lesser-known aspects of the town's fascinating past. Kingston upon Thames has many secrets, and as you walk along the streets you are walking through history. There are clear reminders of the town's past everywhere, waiting for you to stop, look and listen to their intriguing stories. On a journey through this ancient town, local tour guide Julian McCarthy tells these forgotten or untold tales. You may think that you know Kingston upon Thames, but take another look around and you will find more than you could possibly imagine.
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Secret Bedford
by Paul Adams
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Well known for its lace industry and connections to notable figures such as John Bunyan and John Howard, the county town of Bedford has a long and fascinating history. Here you will discover the grim stories behind the gallows of Bedford Gaol, encounter the drama of the Great Flood of 1823, and find the ghostly link to the famous creator of Sherlock Holmes. In Secret Bedford, local author Paul Adams takes the reader on an entertaining journey into the past, delving beneath the surface and blending dark deeds and strange tales with long-forgotten facts to reveal a hidden history that even most local people don't know.
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Secret Richmond upon Thames
by Andy Bull
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The town of Richmond grew around the Tudor royal palace by the River Thames. Much of the land was used by the royals for hunting, first in the Old Deer Park and then in Richmond Park, but in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the area became a fashionable place of residence close to London, particularly around Richmond Hill. The Hill has also been home to rock and roll royalty including Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend. The town expanded into a municipal borough in 1890 and is now part of London, a thriving shopping and cultural centre for the area. This book explores the lesser-known episodes and characters in the history of Richmond through the years, from its royal beginnings, the establishment of a tapestry works at Mortlake, the connection with the River Thames through boatbuilding and the ferry before Richmond Bridge was built, home of the artistic and other famous people including three leading explorers, to the secret nineteenth-century plot to destroy Kew Gardens and the story behind the establishment of the Poppy Factory in 1922.With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Richmond upon Thames will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this corner of south-west London.
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Secret Eyam
Plague Village
by Jill Armitage
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Eyam (pronounced Eem), given the Saxon name Eaham, meaning a well-watered hamlet, is a secluded Peak District village hemmed in by green slopes and majestic hills. Within ¼ mile, the busy world passes by along the A623, yet every year thousands of people head directly to this isolated rural community, tragically famous as the plague village that self-isolated. The year 1665 saw outbreaks of bubonic plague in London and many other cities, towns and villages across England. The incomprehensible terror of the plague, caused by the bite of a rat flea infected by the bacterium Pasteurella pestis, arrived in Eyam in September 1665 and in order to contain the disease, the villagers chose to lock themselves in isolation. This was an act of true altruism by grief-stricken people in a village where every home became a morgue and every resident a mourner. Some 350 years later, as we have encountered a pandemic of gigantic proportions with the Covid-19 crisis, the story of Eyam has inspired Simon Armitage, Poet Laureate, to devote half of his poem 'Lockdown' to the suffering of these people. Secret Eyam: Plague Village, illustrated throughout, expands upon these stories, taking a closer examination of this area's important history.
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Secret New Forest
by Martin Brisland
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
A World Heritage Site since 1999, the New Forest is not that new and not really a forest. Only half is wooded with the rest being mainly gorse, heathland, mudflats and farms. It was created around 1079 for William the Conqueror as an exclusive royal hunting ground, especially for deer, and is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as 'Nova Foresta'. Still 90 per cent of the forest is Crown land, although King James II was the last monarch to hunt there, in 1686. It has also retained its ancient governing system of Verderers, Agisters and 500 Commoners. In Secret New Forest, author Martin Brisland has unearthed fascinating facts, little-known personalities and places in the history of the New Forest and reveals the history below its surface. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret New Forest will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this area of southern England.
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Secret Nottingham
by Frank E. Earp
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Every corner of Nottingham is rich in history, and if the streets could talk they might tell of the people and events they have witnessed. Many ancient secrets have remained untold, such as the purpose of the great Viking 'long-house' found beneath the site of a demolished Victorian factory, and who built the ancient mound that once marked the site of the spot where a king of England raised his standard.Perhaps the city's greatest secret of all lies beneath its streets – a labyrinth of over 500 man-made caves. Visitors to Nottingham are often told not to stamp their feet too hard as they never quiet know where they will end up. Father and son authors Frank and Joe Earp are privy to these and many more of Nottingham's secrets. Come with them as they share their knowledge within the pages of this book.