Books in the Through Time series

This fascinating selection of more than 180 photographs traces some of the many ways in which Blandford has changed and developed over the last century.

'There is some deep satisfaction in being born in a place like Chard', said Margaret Bondfield the UK's first female cabinet minister, in her book A Life's Work. 'The old cloth trade of Chard - the lacemaking industry - the dyeing houses - the iron foundries - the old radicalism and nonconformity of Chard - these must somehow have got into the texture of my life and shaped my thoughts, long before I had a thought or will of my own.' Much of what she wrote is still true today. The area around Chard has catered to various trades, many of which are still operating today, although on a smaller scale than in those days when this was the most industrialised small town in England. Some of the factories have been put to other uses, many have vanished, and some new ones have appeared. This book records examples of great change, alongside some changes that are not so great - Chard may not be what once was, but for many it will always be home.

Peckham & Nunhead Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of London. Reproduced in full colour, this is an exciting examination of Peckham and Nunhead, the famous streets and the famous faces, and what they meant to the people in these communities throughout the 19th and into the 20th Century. Looking beyond the exquisite exterior of these well-kept photos, readers can see the historical context in which they are set, and through the author's factual captions for every picture and carefully-selected choice of images, the reader can achieve a reliable view of this area's history. Readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and watch the changing face of Peckham and Nunhead, as we are guided through the local streets. There is something for everyone here, whether they have lived in the area all their lives, or whether they are just visiting. It also shows how photography has continually evolved to keep up with an ever changing society.

The face of Plymouth changed forever during the Second World War. Heavy bombing destroyed most of its buildings and left the city devastated. Many people found themselves homeless with their only belongings being possessions salvaged from their destroyed homes. Many children were evacuated away from danger and were sent out into the countryside. Many didn't want to go while others saw it as an adventure. The Dockyard also came under attack and large areas of Devonport were destroyed or severely damaged. Other areas hit by the bombing included St Budeaux, Saltash Passage, Swilly (later North Prospect) and Stonehouse. Plymouth Hoe also suffered damage including the destruction of the Pier. Plymouth at War Through Time shows much of the devastation to the city as well as photographs of the same areas as they are today.

Steph Gillett documents the history of this fascinating line, marking the sixtieth anniversary since its closure.

This fascinating selection of photographs shows how Oldham has changed and developed over the last hundred and fifty years.

This fascinating selection of photographs shows how Beccles has changed and developed over the last century.

This fascinating selection of photographs shows how Shaftesbury has changed and developed over the last century.

This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which Chorlton-cum-Hardy has changed and developed over the last century.

This fascinating selection of photographs shows how Edinburgh's southern suburbs have changed and developed over the last century.

This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which Liverpool has changed and developed over the last century.

Douglas D'Enno explores the history of Sussex's railway stations.

This fascinating selection of photographs shows how Castle Douglas has changed and developed over the last century.

This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which Bournemouth Airport has changed and developed over the last century.

The fascinating history of Ormskirk illustrated through old and modern pictures.

The Manchester Ship Canal was a huge engineering achievement. It included seven swing bridges and the aqueduct at Barton, and helped turn the cotton-producing capital of Great Britain into an inland seaport. This was a feat many at the time believed could not be achieved. One of the wonders of the modern industrial world, the Manchester Ship Canal, with its huge locks and ocean-going vessels, was a magnetic draw for enthusiastic Victorians who marvelled at its construction. This book looks at the changes and development of the Manchester Ship Canal through time, from its origins as a thriving economic hub in the late nineteenth century, to an important retail, leisure and media centre in the early twenty-first century and beyond. Join Steven Dickens as he explores the history of this 36-mile-long inland waterway in the north-west of England, which links Manchester to the Mersey Estuary and the Irish Sea.

At the northern end of the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Kidsgrove and Butt Lane were quiet and rural areas of scattered settlements that became an industrial centre of great importance in the economy of North Staffordshire. Today, the areas are largely residential, with housing belonging mainly from the post-war era onwards. Coal mines and ironworks changed the landscape and population and housing increased; development by the Trent and Mersey Canal and the arrival of the railway allowed the area to flourish. Nowadays, most of the heavy industry has declined and many once-familiar sights have been swept away. However, it is possible to recreate something of the atmosphere of this industrial past and its social consequences through the illustrations and detail that accompany them. Drawing on a rich store of photographs and historical information, this book reveals a fascinating past for readers to enjoy as local author Tony Lancaster guides us through the streets, revealing the changing faces of Kidsgrove and Butt Lane.

This book explores in selective detail postcards from Cork City Museum of the region of West Cork from 100 years ago. It takes the reader from Bandon to Castletownbere through the changing landscapes and seascapes. This route holds a striking section of Ireland's coastline, over 320 kilometres in length, encompassing a raw coastal wilderness, with expansive inlets eroded away by the Atlantic Ocean. West Cork Through Time represents many memories of the landscape, sold to visitors and locals a century ago. There are places that charm, catch and challenge the eye. West Cork in itself is a way of life where individuals and communities have etched out their lives. It is a place of discovery, of inspiration, a place of peace and contemplation, and a place to find oneself in the world.

Folkestone Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of the country. Reproduced in full colour, this is an exciting examination of Folkestone, the famous streets and the famous faces, and what they meant to the people of Folkestone throughout the 19th and into the 20th Century. Looking beyond the exquisite exterior of these well-kept photos, readers can see the historical context in which they are set, and through the author's factual captions for every picture and carefully-selected choice of images, the reader can achieve a reliable view of the town's history. Readers are invited to follow a timeline of events and watch the changing face of the town, as Alan Taylor guides us through the town's streets. There is something for everyone here, whether they have lived in the area all their lives, or whether they are just visiting this fabulous town. It also shows how photography has continually evolved to keep up with an ever-changing society.

Bramhall is a thriving, bustling and leafy suburb of Stockport, close to Manchester. It has been voted the least 'lonely place' in Britain; according to research from the University of Sheffield, Bramhall came bottom of the loneliness index nationwide. It has a rich history stretching back to the Anglo-Saxon period. This book takes us back to Bramhall's early days to meet Saxons Brun and Hacun, whose lands were given by Willliam the Conqueror to Hamon de Massey, who eventually became 1st Baron of Dunham Massey. The Edwardian shops and businesses in the village centre have been replaced by trendy boutiques and cool bars, but old Bramhall is still characterised by the grand Bramall Hall, with its beautiful park, as well as the town's many farms and old pubs. The book also takes in neighbouring Cheadle and Cheadle Hulme, Gatley, Hazel Grove and Manchester International Airport in Ringway, where old and new pictures are juxtaposed to show how things have changed in these communities.

Opened on 17 July 1761, the canal has a special place in history as the first to be built in Britain without following an existing watercourse, and so became a model for those that followed. Affectionately known as the 'Duke's Cut', the Bridgewater Canal revolutionised transport in this country and marked the beginning of the golden canal age, which lasted from 1760 to 1830. However, as the rail network surpassed the canals as a method of transporting goods, the canal fell into disuse and in 1963, just before the great canal revival, the impressive Runcorn locks were filled in. We may still see them again as there are new plans to restore the locks, but the canal remains popular with walkers and pleasure boaters. In this new book, authors Jean and John Bradburn take the reader on a fascinating journey, and show just how the Bridgewater Canal has changed and developed through time.

Barrow-in-Furness is a small post-industrial town at the end of a long peninsula in the north of England. Its isolated location has produced a stalwart and close population. It started life as a small hamlet and grew to become an industrial leader, first in iron and steel and later in ship-building and engineering, drawing a workforce from all over the country. The ship-building industry continues to be a major employer but today there is less diversity than in Barrow's heyday. Although the town is known for its industry, it sits in one of the most beautiful areas of Cumbria. It boasts a rich heritage and spectacular views to the Lake District and across Morecambe Bay and, surrounded on three sides by the sea, it enjoys its own temperate climate. Furness Abbey was a great influence on the area in the medieval period and there are castles, churches, monuments and memories just waiting to be discovered by the unsuspecting visitor.

The main role of the tug is to assist vessels in the river or within the dock system by moving them by pushing or towing. They are also used to tow barges or platforms which have no engines or methods of propulsion. Tugs are designed to be highly manoeuvrable and powerful as they normally work with large vessels in restricted spaces. The main towing companies operating on the Mersey in the twentieth century were J. & J. H. Rea Limited, Liverpool Screw Towing Company and the Alexandra Towing Company Limited. Mersey tugs were employed to work with passenger liners, cargo vessels, oil tankers and other vessels working on the river. The modern tug is equipped with azimuthing thrusters or Voith Schneider Vertical propellers which enable them to generate the thrust required for towing the larger vessels which are now being built. In this book, Ian Collard charts the development of the Mersey tug from the late nineteenth century to the present day.

Bagnall, Endon, Stanley and Stockton Brook are situated to the north-east of the Potteries conurbation in North Staffordshire and form a rough triangle pointing towards Leek. The busy A53 passes through Stockton Brook and Endon carrying traffic between Stoke-on-Trent and Leek, and also conveying many of the residents of the area to work. Despite being relatively affluent dormitory settlements, Stockton Brook and Endon do still manage to retain much of their village feel. Stanley, Bagnall and the original Endon village are on quieter backwaters and are therefore more rural still. There is virtually no industry apart from livestock farming in the area and such industry that was developed in the nineteenth century has now disappeared. This area's main interest lies in its ancient churches and farm buildings, its eighteenth-century canal and nineteenth-century railway and reservoir, not forgetting its popular and well-attended Well Dressing event, held every year since 1845. Bagnall, Endon, Stanley and Stockton Brook Through Time guides you on a nostalgic tour of these four North Staffordshire villages.

Neuk is the Scots word for nook or corner, and the delightful East Neuk, with its string of picturesque fishing and farming villages, is one of the most attractive parts of the country to investigate. Few regions present a greater number of attractions than the East Neuk with its sandy beaches, wild and precipitous cliffs, remarkable caves, celebrated golf links, notable churches, historic castles and historical associations. These villages, running from from Crail to Largo, are quite distinct from those of any other part of Scotland and have stood almost unchanged for centuries and thus present, in their uneven, angular streets, red-tiled roofs and crow-stepped gables, an accurate representation of the ancient burghs of our past.

Broughty Ferry has gone through many changes since its origins as a small fishing village nestled in the shadow of a fifteenth-century castle. The industrial age saw wealthy jute barons arrive and build their grand residences there, while the coming of the train saw the town become a popular destination for holidaymakers. The twentieth century and beyond has seen Broughty Ferry evolve into a popular and affluent suburb. This compilation of images follows Broughty Ferry through all of these changes and shows how, despite officially becoming part of Dundee in 1913, 'the Ferry' has always maintained an independent air.

The Somerset & Dorset Railway, known as the S&D (said to also stand for 'Slow and Dirty' or 'Serene and Delightful'), ran from Bath across the Mendip hills to Bournemouth on the south coast. Never a high-speed line, the main traffic for the Somerset & Dorset during the winter months was freight and local passenger traffic. In the summer, however, there was heavy traffic as Saturday holiday services from the northern industrial towns passed along the line. In 1962, John Betjeman travelled along the Somerset & Dorset from Evercreech Junction to Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea, making a BBC documentary called Branch Line Railway, in which he pleaded for the line to be spared from the Beeching cuts. However, despite an active campaign to save it, and the promise by the new Labour government that there would be no more railway cutbacks, on 7 March 1966 the whole line was closed. 2016 will see the fiftieth anniversary of the closure of this much-mourned railway; here in this well-illustrated book, the history of the line is preserved.

With the coming of the naval arms race with Germany, in 1903 the Admiralty decided to establish a naval base and dockyard at Rosyth, taking advantage of deep tidal water there. Construction work started in 1909 and the dockyard was finished in 1916, when the pre-Dreadnought HMS Zealandia entered dry dock there. The yard closed in 1925, reopening in 1938 when relations with Germany began to deteriorate again and serving throughout the Second World War. During the Cold War, Rosyth was used to refit conventional and Polaris nuclear-armed submarines as well as other warships. In 1997 Rosyth was acquired by Babcock International, becoming the first privatised naval dockyard in Britain, and is now the site where the Royal Navy's two new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers are being assembled. In this book, published in the dockyard's centennial year, Walter Burt takes us through the history of Rosyth dockyard and naval base.

In ancient times Clapham was a secluded Surrey village, clustered round a manor house and church. By the seventeenth century, the wealthy of London were building houses here as rural retreats and, by 1800, their mansions in extensive grounds surrounded Clapham Common, which was becoming a place of recreation. The development of the railways in the nineteenth century meant that families who could afford large houses moved further out to the countryside, selling off their ground to developers who built the terraced houses which cover the area today. Around forty years ago, after a period of neglect and bomb damage from the Second World War, the area started to become 'gentrified' and is now a desirable London suburb. Clapham Through Time traces these changes over the years. A few mansions have survived and been put to new uses, several churches lost during the war have been replaced, Clapham Common is recognisable though used quite differently, but the greatest change is in the appearance of the ordinary streets - the shop fronts, vehicles and people. Many who have arrived in Clapham during the last few years will be amazed by its former appearance!