Books by Mick Hymans

This book will be of interest to not only the most ardent and knowledgeable students of Brighton's history, but also to those who have just a passing interest. Flicking through the pages, one cannot be helped being captivated by the images of youngsters dressed in not much better than rags posing outside back street pubs, the trams that used to ply their trade through the streets or images of the West Pier and the Chain Pier that were once such great attractions. The book has been divided into several chapters each dealing with a different subject, thus making it an easy read. Unlike many books on photographic histories of towns and villages that are printed in A5 format, the images are so clear that the larger A4 format was warranted. We hope you agree.

Having lived in Eastbourne all my life, over 60 years now, I have noticed many changes - some good, some not so good. Shops and businesses that were thriving concerns used and loved by most - Louis G. Ford and Woolworths to name but two - are now just distant memories. Being able to jump on to the rear platform a moving bus as it passed by or to have a choice of five or six town centre cinemas to visit are pleasures no longer available. The smell, sight and sound of snorting, hissing steam engines at the station are now long gone - as is the opportunity to catch one of these on a Saturday morning to take you directly to Birmingham or the North of England. Thankfully, photographers over the last 100 years or more had the presence of mind to capture these images, so that these scenes need not be completely forgotten.

This book will be of interest to not only the most ardent and knowledgeable students of Brighton's history, but also to those who have just a passing interest. Flicking through the pages, one cannot be helped being captivated by the images of youngsters dressed in not much better than rags posing outside back street pubs, the trams that used to ply their trade through the streets or images of the West Pier and the Chain Pier that were once such great attractions. The book has been divided into several chapters each dealing with a different subject, thus making it an easy read. Unlike many books on photographic histories of towns and villages that are printed in A5 format, the images are so clear that the larger A4 format was warranted. We hope you agree.

'I remember how excited I was when I saw my first diesel. It was the talk of all the trainspotters at the junior school.'Author Mick Hymans' excitement soon turned to resentment as diesels replaced his beloved steam engines.