Books published by Amberley Publishing

Wakefield was originally a settlement on the River Calder in West Yorkshire, first Anglo-Saxon, then Viking controlled. After the Norman Conquest, the manor passed to the de Warenne family and Wakefield grew into an important market town in the area. In the Wars of the Roses Richard, Duke of York, was killed at the Battle of Wakefield. Wakefield's prosperity was growing as an inland port and a centre for tanning, the wool trade and coal mining. By the Industrial Revolution, Wakefield was a wealthy town, benefiting from the opening of the Aire & Calder Canal, which enabled it to trade goods, particularly grain and cloth, throughout the country. Wool mills were built in the nineteenth century and Wakefield became the administrative centre in West Riding, given city status in 1888. Although many industries closed in the later decades of the twentieth century, including its extensive coalfields, the city has embarked on a programme of regeneration, which includes the new Hepworth Wakefield art gallery, named after Wakefield-born artist Barbara Hepworth. Through successive centuries the author looks at what has shaped Wakefield's history. Illustrated throughout, this accessible historical portrait of the transformation that Wakefield has undergone through the ages will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the city.

Whitby has a fascinating history, changing roles over the centuries from a religious centre to one of the country's most important ports and later a resort. The king of Northumbria founded the monastery on the headland in the seventh century and installed St Hilda as the first abbess. Although it was abandoned following attacks by Danish raiders who later settled in the area, the abbey was re-established by the Normans. Following Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries, the harbour and new industries were developed in Whitby, including alum mining, shipbuilding and transporting coal. Captain James Cook's ships Endeavour and Resolution were originally Whitby colliers. Shipowners, merchants and shipbuilders settled in Whitby and built grand houses, alongside the more humble dwellings of those who worked in the port or local industries. The town was also known for its whaling fleet and the production of jet jewellery. From the eighteenth century the town began to be developed as a resort, with more visitors arriving in the nineteenth century when the railway was built, and today is a popular tourist destination. Through successive centuries the author looks at what has shaped Whitby's history. Illustrated throughout, this accessible historical portrait of the transformation that Whitby has undergone through the ages will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the town.

Like most European countries, Belgium's main towns and cities developed their own tramway networks. Those that survive today include Brussels, Gent, Antwerpen and Charleroi. In the 1960s both French-speaking Liege and Verviers lost their tramways, though there is a desire in Liege to see it return. In addition to the city systems, there was a rural network of mainly metre gauge tramways throughout the country known as the Vicinal. Tony Martens, though born in Belgium, lived in the UK for most of his life, but started revisiting the country in the 1960s, photographing most of the surviving operations. John Law's first visit to the country was in 1971, accompanying Tony in Brussels, where the last of the Vicinal routes were still operating and four-wheeled trams were running on the city streets. John has been returning to Belgium on a regular basis ever since. Sadly, Tony Martens passed away in early 2019. Fortunately, John Law was able to gain access to Tony's slide collection and, along with his own photographic work, has tapped into this archive to bring you a photographic history of Belgium's trams and trolleybuses from the mid-1960s to the present day.

Dorset, which lies in the south-west of England, boasts a wide variety of spectacular landscapes, from the cliffs and beaches of its Jurassic Coast, its chalk downs and limestone hills, heathland and vales, to its historic towns and villages and other ancient settlements. In Dorset in Pictures, photographer Matthew Pinner takes a fresh look at Dorset, capturing the huge variety of scenery, natural and man-made, that makes Dorset special. For those who live in the county and its many thousands of visitors this book is a must. Look through these photographs and you will quickly see why this corner of England has such enduring appeal.

In 2018, five gas buses using Scania NU280D chassis with stylish AD E40D MMC City bodywork were presented by Nottingham City Council. Then 2019 saw the arrival of another sixty-seven new gas buses, working a variety of routes around the city. The 120 gas buses now operating in the city have impressive environmental credentials, offering an 80 per cent reduction in harmful pollutants. Passengers have also enjoyed greater comfort, with super-fast WiFi, USB charging sockets and audio and visual stop announcements. Here, Scott Poole offers an interesting selection of photographs illustrating these remarkable new buses.

The Stockton & Darlington Railway Company's takeover of half of the 1834 Stanhope & Tyne route, under the guise of the Wear & Derwent Railway, saw the most interesting period in the history of this part of the line. The route, which ran from the limestone quarries above Stanhope to Consett, was now joined to the Stockton & Darlington Railway's network, and the new operators wasted no time in converting the line to locomotive working where possible, building deviations to the original route to get rid of rope-hauled incline working and instead use the distinctive double-tender heavy goods locomotives. This work culminated with the opening of the 150-foot-high Hownes Gill Viaduct and the Burnhill deviation. This book covers the history of the line from 1845, detailing the drastic transformation of the line so that it could serve the mighty ironworks at Consett. It features a wide variety of historic and modern images.

Edinburgh has a fascinating 'Underground City', much of which is open to the public. It is made up of many different aspects, with a turbulent and intriguing past stretching back hundreds of years. Features include hidden passages and cellars, ancient buried streets like Marlyn's Wynd and Mary King's Close (sealed after an outbreak of plague), castle dungeons and escape tunnels, a warren of vaults and chambers under Edinburgh's mighty bridges, abandoned or repurposed rail tunnels, and anomalies like the strange subterranean dwelling of Gilmerton Cove. Award-winning author and historian Jan-Andrew Henderson explores the legendary world beneath the streets and locations of Edinburgh in this pictorial guide.

The 1980s was a decade of immense change in London as well as across the rest of the country, setting in motion social and economic forces that shaped much that we recognise today in the capital, which experienced considerable upheaval in the process. In this book author Alec Forshaw presents a portrait of 1980s London using a selection of previously unpublished photographs by Theo Bergstrm. This was the era of the Big Bang and deregulation of the financial institutions in the City, the abandonment of Fleet Street by the newspaper industry, the demise of the GLC, the beginning of regeneration in Docklands, and the last days of old Billingsgate Market. While some areas witnessed gentrification, spiralling property prices and a myriad of new places to eat out, other places like Brixton and Tottenham were recovering from riots. Bergstrm's evocative images and Forshaw's perceptive text capture a changing and uncertain world on the streets of London.

Captain John Alexander served in the Royal Engineers and was posted to the 17th Indian Division, known as the Black Cats, which was sent into Burma against the Japanese as part of the 14th Army. John's unit was 60 Indian Field Company. After the capture of Hong Kong and the fall of Singapore in February 1942 the Japanese army advanced into Burma, catching the Allies ill-equipped and unprepared. Rangoon fellin March, thus beginning a long fighting retreat by the Allies through thick jungle to the northwest frontier with India. But the Allies regrouped and fought back, and in 1944 fierce fighting, culminating in the battles of the Admin Box, Kohima and Imphal, caused the Japanese forces to begin to withdraw. At the beginning of 1945 the 14th Army launched a successful offensive pushing the Japanese southwards before them. Mandalay was retaken and then Rangoon in May 1945. The Japanese Army finally surrendered on 15 August 1945. Many histories of the Burma Campaign have been written, and the terrible conditions of jungle warfare against a brutal enemy are well known. John Alexander returned home on leave before the end of the conflict with his body weakened by fever, jungle sores and dysentery, and his mind affected by what we now call PTSD. But he also brought back with him a collection of 'souvenirs' from the campaign - artefacts that range from Japanese currency and cigarettes to letters, swords, a bayonet, sketches, and his own diaries, letters and decorations. This book will be a reflection on the personal stories behind this terrible and often forgotten war, looking at the conflict both from a British and a Japanese perspective. Through an examination of these artefacts, the horror and humanity of the combatants who took part in this far-away conflict will be vividly brought to life.

Amid peaceful countryside, past historic towns and through the heart of London, the River Thames flows in an easterly direction for some 346 kilometres from its source in Gloucestershire until entering the North Sea. Over many centuries civilisations have traversed the ancient river by way of fords and early ferries, stone-built bridges, by locks, tunnels and railway lines and, most recently, by motorway crossings. Building methods and designs have changed dramatically over time yet, even now, bridges dating from medieval times still span the river, virtually unaltered since when they were built. Within London, bridges and tunnels, old and new, convey the capital's rail systems, road traffic and pedestrians across the Thames. The Thames and its crossings are ever changing and Geoff Lunn, as he travels downriver from source to sea, navigates the reader through their history and right up to the present day.

The 1960s saw the final hurrah of steam on the railways - the final period of steam-powered locomotives dominating the main line. This meant that a colourful array of traffic could be found across the length and breadth of Great Britain, and an army of enthusiasts both young and old dutifully recorded the nation's rail scene. Here, in the first of a new series of book celebrating the steam of 1960s Britain, Keith W. Platt looks back at the variety that could be found on the railways around Leeds. Packed with previously unpublished images, this is a book that will delight anybody with memories of steam around Leeds or an enthusiasm for the area's railways or history.

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 1/2 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.

Originally established as a Roman settlement to serve the forts along Hadrian's Wall, the Cumbrian city of Carlisle has a wealth of fascinating history. Its proximity to Scotland meant that it was a crucial military stronghold and its imposing eleventh-century castle and city walls have witnessed many conflicts through the centuries. During the Industrial Revolution it became an important hub on the railway network and a centre of textile manufacturing. Nicknamed the 'Great Border City', Carlisle is still the principal commercial and cultural centre of the county. In Carlisle in 50 Buildings author Paul Rabbitts explores fifty of the city's architectural landmarks to discover its history, development and the changing way of life for its people. Both ancient and modern structures are featured, which have been used for many different purposes and reflect a wide range of architectural styles. The city's success is based on its industry, which has shaped its built environment together with the many historic buildings and new structures. All these are celebrated within this well-illustrated book. This engaging and accessible portrait of the city's rich history and its architectural heritage will appeal to residents and visitors alike.

The largest county in England, Yorkshire encompasses modern cities, industrial heritage, historic towns and villages, wide landscapes of hill and moorland, fertile agricultural regions, a long and unspoiled coastline, and much more, in which the people of Yorkshire are at work daily. In this book professional photographer Charlotte Graham celebrates Yorkshire life in all its variety in a magnificent collection of stunning images. She portrays the many different faces of Yorkshire people at work through her own individual eye, not only those with unusual occupations but also those doing more everyday jobs who are often the unsung heroes. For those who are proud to live in Yorkshire, as well as visitors to the county, this book is a must. Look through these photographs and you will quickly see what makes Yorkshire special.

This book offers a chronological view from the oldest colour images to the latest buses. It focuses mainly on buses, although many Australian-built chassis were generally used for coach operations and some of these are featured. Before the Second World War, buses were mainly of British origin with local bodywork. During the 1970s the European invasion rose to its heights and they make up the bulk of the modern chassis. Australia was influenced by many chassis manufacturers from Japan, Korea, USA, New Zealand and Canada. Body builders were present in every state and had a diverse product range. This book features many of the various body designs used. Sharing many highlights from the story of buses in Australia, this lavishly illustrated book will delight the bus and coach enthusiast and bring back memories for anybody who has ever stepped on an Australian bus.

At the heart of the historic Suffolk market town of Bury St Edmunds is the ruined eleventh-century abbey. The magnificent abbey church, once one of the richest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England and among the largest in Europe, was built over several generations. The chosen material was flint encased with limestone, the bonding agent being lime mortar. Chalk, the necessary requirement for this, had to be mined deeply and therefore Bury has chalk mines to the east, west and in a central part of town. Centuries later, catastrophic consequences occurred when thirty houses that had been built above the chalk mines were affected by property blight and had to be demolished. With the closure of the abbey following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, there were stories of medieval ghostly figures traversing the town via secret tunnels, unable to rest. Some of their Anglo-Saxon ancestors were discovered in a cemetery when building works were underway on the edge of town. In Going Underground: Bury St Edmunds, local author Martyn Taylor offers a fascinating insight into this Suffolk town's heritage lying hidden beneath its surface. Different chapters focus on tunnels, burial sites, chalk mines, cellars, municipal works, military defences, parch marks and much more. Illustrated throughout, this book will reveal subterranean surprises from ancient cellars to Victorian sewers. Take an intriguing look underground and discover how much history lies beneath your feet in Bury St Edmunds.

The Making of England places the history of early England firmly within the European sphere of influence. It draws upon the latest multi-disciplinary research and debates from science, archaeology, literature and documentary evidence, with an eye on contemporary concerns and perceptions of English history. Toby Purser demonstrates the impact of the continuous continental interaction across the period c. 410 to 1534 in the shaping of England, from the early pan-Germanic to the Scandinavian, Norman-French, Angevin and Gascon. Crucially, there was no inevitability in the emergence of a single, unified state in the Anglo-Saxon period and after 1066 the English state was bound to continental possessions by trade or war. Baronial rebellion, not popular demand, led to the devolution of powers from the Crown via Magna Carta and parliament, but this was not part of a manifest destiny of 'exceptional' English freedom. Literacy and learning was exclusively Christian, to the detriment of pagan cultures and achievements, and thus the first historians wrote only from a singular perspective, that of the Christian supremacy. English culture was subsumed into the new Norman hegemony, along with attempts to rewrite or obliterate Welsh, Scottish and Irish history. This book will make you think again about what it means to be English.

The design of buses and coaches is constantly changing as new technology is developed and environmentally friendly and emission-related legislation evolves. In addition to more traditional vehicles, there are now choices between hydrogen-powered hydroliners, all-electrics, vehicles with electric driving mirrors and fully autonomous buses. In this extremely colourful and diverse book, Richard Walter takes you on a photo-filled trip round the world to explore how buses and coaches are changing and how older vehicles have adapted to meet the demands of operators. Jump on board to explore how things are evolving in recent years from the wilds of the Western Isles and the big UK cities like London, York, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Glasgow to exotic locations such as pink-sanded Bermuda, sunny Tenerife, busy Hong Kong and spectacular New York. The book also looks at some of the many demonstrators that operators have evaluated and how new products have been launched at events such as the annual UK Coach Rally in Blackpool and the Euro Bus Expo.

As Portsmouth approaches its centenary year as a city, this timely book celebrates the history of many of its wonderful traditions and locations and also attempts to capture the spirit of its proud people. Mudlarking, the Pompey Chimes, Charlotte Street market, Spice Island, Fratton Park and the Spinnaker are just some of the unique elements that have contributed to the colourful character and the enduring memories of Portsmuthians and their beloved historic city. The country's original, premier naval port as well as a large garrison town, Portsmouth punches above its weight in terms of defence heritage attractions - but there is far more to be discovered. What shapes and makes the city, apart from its geography and natural resources, is its people. Over the years, through individual effort, entrepreneurship, innovation, bloody-mindedness and collective action, they have made their city a proud one, rich in history and achievement. Illustrated with over 100 images, this book offers a wealth of social history and will inspire the memories not only of local residents, but also of anyone who has ever known the city. And for current visitors who wish to dig deeper into an understanding of what our city is and means, Celebrating Portsmouth is a good starting point. All readers will discover a rich source of heritage, of surprises and of inspiration leading to a deeper appreciation of this proud island city.

Aylesbury, the county town of Buckinghamshire, started as a Saxon settlement called Aegel's burgh. By medieval times it had developed into an administrative centre, with its weekly market serving as a focal point for surrounding villages. Over the centuries the main industries were lace and silk making, printing and brewing. Its location on various important routes also led to it becoming a coaching town and, during the nineteenth century, it grew most notably with the arrival of the railway. However, it was in the 1950s that Aylesbury experienced its greatest period of growth when it became an overspill town for London. In this book, author Paul Rabbitts features fifty of the buildings and landmarks in the town to reveal the structures that are a testament to the history and development of Aylesbury. The chosen buildings are drawn from across the centuries and reflect diverse architectural styles and purposes, from educational and entertainment to residential and religious. By exploring Aylesbury's architectural heritage in an engaging and accessible way, the author charts the changing face of the town and the places that have played a significant or surprising role in its history. Illustrated throughout, Aylesbury in 50 Buildings will be of great interest to residents, visitors and local historians.

Toton first saw railway yards built on the site in the 1850s to support the growing need to transport coal from the collieries of the Erewash Valley and, later, the Leen Valley area to towns and industry. Later, growth in wagonload traffic saw British Rail invest heavily in the yards, including mechanised hump shunting equipment and a modern diesel locomotive facility. However, wagonload traffic was soon to decline, and the transport of coal was revolutionised by the merry-go-round concept utilising new HAA wagons, sweeping away the numerous older vacuum-braked types. Toton was once the heart of coal on the railway, but the decline in use of fossil fuels in the UK has decimated the coal train from the national network, with Toton yards now partly abandoned and the remainder in use mostly as a base for engineering trains and traincrew relieving point. This book illustrates the changing scene at Toton from the last days of British Rail, through privatisation, up to the present day.

The Allied assault on the German-occupied port of Dieppe in France, code-named Operation Jubilee, took place on 19 August 1942. It was a battle that lasted for less than ten hours but it has gone down in history as a military disaster, often spoken of in the same manner as the Charge of the Light Brigade and Gallipoli. The German defences had been underestimated. The numbers killed, wounded and taken prisoner at Dieppe were shockingly high and none of the main objectives were realised. The Third Reich considered the raid as a military joke and it provided a textbook of 'what not to do' in future amphibious operations. Dieppe was the largest tri-service operation ever mounted up until that point, and even if the planning for the operation was woefully inadequate, it showed that the three services could coordinate their movements under one command. Many believe that Dieppe should not be looked upon as an isolated incident because then its purpose is totally obscured by its terrible cost. Put into context, it was one in a series of raids between Dunkirk and D-Day designed to test the defences of Hitler's Atlantic Wall, the most famous and successful being the attack on St Nazaire, which is still considered to be the greatest Commando raid of all time. Author Henry Buckton has searched the voluminous records of interviews with Canadian Dieppe veterans collected by Historica Canada to shed new light on this terrible - but perhaps necessary - failure.

Though the famous bullet train launched in 1964, many steam engines were still operational in Japan before withdrawal in 1975. These wonders of narrow gauge railway engineering have often gone unappreciated in Western countries - until now. Japan's distinctive four seasons offer the perfect backdrop for the rail photographer, and allowed Yoshi Hashida to capture steam engines working against a variety of gorgeous backdrops and stunning settings, including mountain scenes and coastal views. This book showcases some of his best shots of steam engines hard at work from 1971 to 1975, focused mainly on Western Japan.

Guernsey is a beautiful Channel Island with a fascinating history and breathtaking scenery. With an area of just 24 square miles, visitors are astonished at just how much there is to see and do. The island's varied landscape ranges from beautiful beaches, stunning cliffs and lush countryside to the quirky, cobbled streets of the harbour town of St Peter Port. In this book, accredited tour guide Soo Wellfair takes us on a journey around the island to discover fifty of its cherished places. Guernsey's many visitors find themselves immersed in the delights of this quaint and charming island and the author leads us to some of her favourite hidden treasures. Seek out the tiny chapel decorated in broken pieces of pottery and the clifftop woodland that comes alive every year when it is swathed in a blanket of bluebells. Explore Guernsey's historic sites from throughout the island's history. From Neolithic times through to the medieval and Tudor periods, and even to the more contemporary structures built during the occupation of Guernsey in the Second World War, this is an island that is small in size but immense in history and beauty. Illustrated throughout, 50 Gems of Guernsey will appeal to residents, visitors and all those interested in the island's history.

Monmouthshire may have a reputation as a quaint, idyllic, rural county but scratch the surface and you'll find a past riddled with scandal, strife and murder most foul. In Monmouthshire Murders and Misdemeanours Tim Butters digs up and throws new light on criminal cases long since buried, but still capable of making our modern minds recoil in horror. Among these tales of terror and woe you'll find the wretched account of a child who callously murdered other children with the calculated ease of a born psychopath, a penniless and alcoholic prostitute butchered by the hand of a disease-riddled madman, a wandering vagabond with a penchant for opportunistic butchery, and a Spanish sailor who killed an entire family on a whim. This hellish history also contains tragic tales from those condemned to the desolate confines of the workhouse, the delirium of the asylum, the despair of the prison cell, and the unforgiving grasp of the hangman's noose. So step right this way for a chilling tour of Monmouthshire's brutal and bloody past. Dare you take a walk on the dark side of this fair county?

The Western Region has been going through a period of great transition, and this book aims to document these changes, such as the rebranding of First Great Western as Great Western Railway and the replacement of the High Speed Train (HST) fleet with the new Hitachi Intercity Express Train (IET) fleet. There has also been an extensive electrification and modernisation project on the Great Western Main Line between London, Bristol and South Wales, along with numerous rolling stock upgrades and changes. Also included are interesting workings around the region such as railtours and unusual visitors, as well a variety of freight workings and images taken on the heritage railways in the area, many of which have had changes of their own.

Nuneaton, the largest town in Warwickshire, sits on an important railway crossroads in the Midlands. At its Trent Valley station, the busy West Coast Main Line heads broadly north to south with the important link between Birmingham and Leicester crossing east to west. An equally important line heads south-east from the town, through Coventry and Leamington Spa, carrying local passengers as well as an important freight link with the docks at Southampton. This line to Coventry and beyond has had a chequered past and was one of many victims of the Beeching Axe before, fortunately, reopening to passengers in the late 1980s. The author has spent many thousands of hours watching and photographing rail movements through Nuneaton station. This publication takes a look at the considerable variety of both passenger and freight traffic on offer to the enthusiast, ranging from the everyday to the unexpected.

In this book, author Alan Brooke highlights the historic gates of the City of London: Cripplegate, Aldgate, Aldersgate, Bishopsgate, Ludgate, Newgate and Moorgate. Originating in Roman times, they remained until they were all demolished between 1760 and 1767. Blue plaques mark six of their sites, and a bishop's mitre on a building shows where Bishopsgate once stood. This book examines the history of the gates, with chapters devoted to each one. A shorter section offers a summary of some of the water gates on the River Thames, including Billingsgate and Bridge Gate, where goods were unloaded from ships. Additionally, there were pedestrian-only gates such as Tower Gate and the postern gate at the Tower of London. There were also the Bars, the most famous of which is Temple Bar, which can still be seen at Paternoster Square. Illustrated throughout with archive material, photographs of present-day locations and a map, Gates of the City of London provides an important addition to the many books on London's rich and diverse history.

East Lancashire Coachbuilders was first registered in October 1934 when two former Massey Bros of Wigan employees decided to set up their own company in Blackburn. Their names were George Danson and Alfred Alcock. Over the next seven decades they supplied both single- and double-deck bodywork to most, if not all, Lancashire municipal bus operators, plus a number of south coast operators. The majority of photographs in this book have been taken by the author, and are mostly previously unpublished.

In the 1970s the introduction of the merry-go-round coal trains required a far more powerful loco, leading to the 3300 hp Class 56 being built. For general freight services, the Class 60 was developed. Both these types suffered from reliability problems in their early years. Several large stone companies in Somerset became frustrated with the constant loco problems that BR were having and decided to order their own locos, choosing General Motors in the USA to supply them. This resulted in the Class 59, which started service in 1986 and proved to be so effective that other Railfreight operators followed suit and ordered what became Class 66. Eventually, more than 400 entered service. This book of mostly unpublished colour photographs, taken by George Woods between 1966 until 2019, show the locos hauling a variety of trains all over the BR system.