Books published by Amberley Publishing

Across the country at numerous locations the government operated another railway, hidden from the public, behind high wire fences. These were the railways serving the Ministry of Defence. A fascinating collection of sites, with differing gauges, origins and functions. At its peak in the 1950 and 1960s the nation was covered with rail-served military locations, varying from a siding right up to huge storage locations, with self-contained internal networks. Each military service had its individual rail command, operating independently, with different locos types and even gauges. Recent history has seen these brought together, amalgamated as the Defence Rail Organisation. Unlike many industrial rail systems, a feature of military rail sites was the high standard of maintenance, not only of the rolling stock, but of the surrounding environment, well kept track formations were a usual order. Part of the fascination of these railways was the mystery that naturally surrounded their operation, use and stock. Some locations remain in use, but the large majority have been taken out of use, mainly as units have closed down, but in some case the abandonment of rail in favour of internal road transport. This book looks at rolling stock used at a number of locations, both standard and narrow gauge, and where appropriate the locations served by these largely unknown systems.

Humber Cars date back to 1899, when Thomas Humber produced his Humber Phaeton model. The company went on to manufacture various quality motor vehicles, but financial difficulties during the 1920s led to it being bought out in 1928. The company became part of the Rootes Group, which would also include Hillman, Sunbeam, Singer, Commer and Karrier. The Rootes brothers were keen to promote the Humber marque as a prestige brand to place it alongside Rover and Jaguar. This book takes up the story of Humber cars at the end of Second World War, looking at the Hawk, Super Snipe and Sceptre, as well as the marque's association with royalty and government. The marque's eventual demise came in 1976, and Stephen Lewis utilises an array of fascinating rare and previously unpublished images to tell the full story of Humber's post-war era.

Historically part of Lancashire, Bury grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution as a mill town producing textiles alongside many other expanding towns in the area and now lies within Greater Manchester. The town is well known for its large traditional open-air market, one of the best in the country, which draws large numbers of visitors. The industrial legacy of Bury is still visible, with the Manchester, Bury & Bolton Canal, the remaining factories and mills and areas of terraced housing, but following decline in the textile industry and other manufacturing in recent decades, the shopping centre was rebuilt in the 1960s and 1970s and has been subsequently rebuilt again, with housing areas extended outwards, linked to Manchester by the Metrolink tram service. In spite of the many changes that have occurred in Bury the town has retained its identity and most of its historical buildings. This fascinating selection of old and new images of Bury will be essential reading for all those who know the town and the area.

Barnard Castle and Teesdale in the Durham Dales is the second largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales. Barnard Castle, the region's main town, takes its name from the castle that was built there in the twelfth century. Many notable people have visited the town over the centuries including Sir Walter Scott and Charles Dickens, who both found literary inspiration there. Today, Barnard Castle is a popular destination for those who are drawn by its history, the Bowes Museum - with its significant collection of fine and decorative arts - and the surrounding countryside. In A-Z of Barnard Castle & Teesdale authors Andrew Graham Stables and Gary David Marshall take the reader on an engaging alphabetical tour of the area's history and discover many hidden gems along the way. The book explores some of the most influential people, unusual places and social histories to provide an exciting new view of a town that was important to many kings, as well as kingmakers including Richard III. The authors also disclose old maps and stories from Upper Teesdale. Discover how a boy born to the premier Anglo-Norman family of the town became King of Scotland but was later forced to abdicate and imprisoned in the Tower of London. Rarely seen artefacts, from a now demolished church thought to be Saxon in origin, will be explored and may define the origins of the town built along an old Roman road. With access to a wealth of old photographs and the archives of the impressive Bowes Museum, the authors also reveal, for the first time, a sketch of the town from the early 1700s by one of the renowned Buck brothers.

Among the many lines that branch all around the East of England, there are some that can be seen diverging from stations that are never used by the train operating companies. These lines head to hidden gems within the East of England known as preserved railways. These provide their own different views and panoramas across the East, and with their range of classic steam and diesel locomotives are a mecca for the railway enthusiast. In this book there are seven preserved railways that can be found in the East of England, all of which vary in length and in featured locomotives. Perfect for both local visitors and those from further afield considering a trip, this is an affectionate tribute to an important part of our national heritage.

The Lancashire city of Preston has an illustrious history stretching back to Roman times. From the thirteenth century onwards it became renowned for its textiles and it was later one of the major towns of the Industrial Revolution. Originally at the heart of the cotton industry, the town is now a sprawling university city and has achieved remarkable things. This proud heritage, a strong sense of local identity and character has given the city and its people much to celebrate throughout the centuries. In Celebrating Preston, local author Keith Johnson chronicles the significant and positive aspects of the city's history from inventions to industry, landmarks to leisure, and newsworthy events to notable achievements. Discover those Preston folk who toiled willingly to make their vision of a more prosperous and pleasant place come to fruition. New buildings and structures have been cause for celebration, as have the numerous public parks developed within the city's boundaries. Within the fields of industry, commerce, art and literature many Prestonians have made an impressive contribution. The author looks back on the royal visits to the city and the occasions when local people turned out to acknowledge military and sporting heroes, or simply to commemorate historic and national events. Illustrated throughout, this fascinating book offers a marvellous and refreshingly positive insight into Preston's rich heritage, its special events and important moments. Celebrating Preston will be a valuable contribution to local history while providing a source of many memories. It will be of great interest to local residents, visitors and those with links to the city.

CSX Transportation came to being in 1980 with the merger of Seaboard Coast Lines and the Chessie System, producing a system of over 21,000 route miles in twenty-four states, with incursions into two Canadian provinces. The system runs from Beauharnois, Quebec in the north to Miami, Florida in the south and covers much of the industrial north-east of the States, as well as the more rural areas that lead to the south-east of the country. Most of the locomotive fleet are now painted in a dark blue and yellow paint scheme, with earlier grey and blue schemes now almost extinct. Included in the book are images mainly from the southern division of the company's operations. These feature all manner of freight operations, along with areas with trackage rights, short line railroads fed by the CSX system and Amtrak, and commuter rail operations that use CSX tracks and assets.

Its farming and fishing industries yield an impressive harvest of ingredients, so it is no surprise to discover that Sussex also boasts a rich culinary heritage. At one point in the past it was said that 'to venture into the county was to risk being turned into a pudding yourself'. Local cookery books were filled with recipes for dense dishes including Chichester Pudding, Sussex Blanket Pudding, and the intriguingly named Sussex Pond Pudding, which contains a whole lemon and was featured on the BBC's Great British Bake Off. Today, though, the county's menus feature a much wider array of local dishes to satisfy even the most demanding palate and local produce matters much to Sussex folk, as well as being a reason the county attracts so many visitors. In Pond Puddings and Sussex Smokies local author Kevin Newman explores these changes through an investigation of the county's culinary history and specialities, together with its famous food and drink producers, markets and food-themed events. Starting with an exploration of interesting and unusual Sussex dishes and drinks, as well as the people behind them, Newman visits wonderful watering holes and incredible eating places from across the centuries such as 'Pacy's Blood Hole' and a hotel where Christmas puddings meet an unusual fate. The author focuses on the county's past and present food-themed customs and traditions, offers foodie and drinking locations to visit and investigates the quirky stories behind many locally brewed beers. He explains how 'Dirty Arthur' became dirty, how a prince provided school dinners, how a local member of the clergy ended up as a Fijian feast and why 'Black-Eyed Susan' hasn't been in a fight. We learn how it's impossible to eat a 'dish of tongues' but how you could chomp on 'the Devil's children' in the past. Sussex residents and visitors alike will discover the true flavour of Sussex in this book, and as you tuck into this fascinating and delicious study of its culinary heritage across the ages, just like the county's famous Pond Pudding, there will definitely be a something you might not have expected inside.

North Shields and Tynemouth, historically united, lie on the north bank of the River Tyne. North Shields grew up as a fishing port serving the Priory of Tynemouth on the headland. As other industries moved into North Shields, particularly shipbuilding, the town expanded from its site along the riverbank to accommodate the workers, absorbing villages nearby. Latterly, much of the town, including its historic quayside area, has been regenerated. Nearby Tynemouth remained smaller and today attracts many visitors to its beaches and historical landmarks, particularly the castle and priory. In North Shields & Tynemouth Pubs, author Eileen Burnett takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the towns' watering holes. Many of the pubs have retained features and traditions of previous ages, and she reveals the variety of North Shields' and Tynemouth's pubs, including the characters that have frequented or run the public houses over the years. Brimming with quirky tales and fascinating facts, this carefully crafted guide initiates readers into the history of North Shields' and Tynemouth's pubs.

Since it was founded in 1810 by Lewis Tregonwell, the Dorset resort of Bournemouth has developed to become a favourite destination for holidaymakers across the decades. Many people have happy recollections of summers spent there, but although the memories remain constant, the town has witnessed many changes, some good and some bad. In Lost Bournemouth, local author John Needham brings together 160 colour, black-and-white and sepia photographs from throughout last century to show what has changed and how the way of life has altered through the generations. The book will focus on certain areas of the town such as the seafront and the pier, and the cinemas, theatres and the Winter Gardens that entertained the many visitors and residents of the town that have now vanished. Even everyday street scenes show how Bournemouth has developed, while pictures of the magnificent Victoria Gardens, with its once great fountains that have been replaced with flower beds, reveal what has been consigned to the history books. There are countless changes to the town that have taken place and this book will bring back many memories, using images from the past and some from the present day. Lost Bournemouth shows the reader what has been forgotten and what has disappeared through time. It is an engrossing visual chronicle, providing a wealth of history and recollections for residents and visitors alike.

Roman coinage represents the largest single category of object recorded through the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), with over 300,000 single finds in addition to several thousand hoards. This dataset, unparalleled anywhere else in the world, provides a unique perspective on the province of Roman Britain and its interaction with the larger Roman Empire. By exploring 50 key finds of Roman coinage it is possible to shed light on all aspects of Roman Britain from the conquest in AD 43 through to the Roman withdrawal by c. AD 410. Unusually for a Roman numismatic dataset, the PAS examples provide wide coverage of the entire province, revealing evidence for early military activity, the development of the rural landscape, as well as the socio-political and cultural evolution of the province. Approaching the material thematically, it will be possible to examine key elements of Roman Britain such as religion, the economy, British 'identity', the 'Britannic Empire', and the archaeological application or implications of the PAS data. Dr Andrew Brown is Deputy National Finds Advisor for Iron Age and Roman coinage at the Portable Antiquities Scheme/British Museum.

The county of Worcestershire in the West Midlands is characterised by its beautiful cathedral city of Worcester, attractive market towns and villages and its industrial heritage, particularly in the north-east of the county. The Malvern Hills, Clent Hills and the Cotswolds stand out from the rural and man-made landscape, including the traditional orchards in the Vale of Evesham, particularly around Pershore, and the county is also shaped by the River Severn and River Avon. Photographer Steven Hamilton has captured Worcestershire's essence in this collection of stunning images, displaying the county at its best. For those who are proud to live in the county, as well as those visiting, this book is a must. Look through these photographs and you will quickly see why this corner of England has such enduring appeal.

In this book, author Robert Bard guides readers on a spine-tingling journey to discover the paranormal and unexplained happenings that have occurred throughout Berkshire. From haunted sites to spectral figures and supernatural phenomena, here is an eerie exploration of the royal county and a collection of its chilling tales. Each of the chapters in Paranormal Berkshire focuses on a different location linked to ghostly occurrences and among the places featured are Windsor Castle, Old Windsor, Reading Abbey, Maidenhead, Ascot, Newbury, Hungerford, Bisham, Caversham, Cookham, Datchet, Slough, Thatcham and some of the smaller villages in the county. The author visits the traditional sites of paranormal activity and, with the assistance of the Oxfordshire and Berkshire Paranormal Research Group, reveals newly discovered material. He also participates in a local ghost hunt and provides a fascinating account of his observations accompanied by his own photographs. As well as detailing the nature of his own interest in the paranormal, and his experiences at the various paranormal sites, author Robert Bard also selects his own haunted highlights from his chilling exploration through the county. Paranormal Berkshire will appeal to those with an interest in the supernatural, and to local people who want to discover their county's haunted heritage. Are you brave enough to read on?

The Portable Antiquities Scheme celebrated its fifteenth anniversary in 2018, and has been operating in Buckinghamshire since 2003 when the scheme went national. Today the scheme runs in England and Wales, with thirty-nine Finds Liaison Officers recording objects discovered by members of the public. Working with local archaeology finders, including metal detectorists, this has allowed for both the discovery of new significant objects and sites across the country. This is a unique scheme, allowing anyone to add to the archaeological record, which in turn has helped research projects using the database to discover more about our heritage. The scheme in Buckinghamshire has recorded a wealth of discoveries, from the everyday objects that showcase the history and life in the area, its industry and creativity, to the more unusual such as the recent discovery of the Lenborough Hoard. These objects hold the stories of the past, and can tell us about the way of life of the ordinary people. The book will examine life from prehistory to the more recent, as well as the movement of the people and their belongings.

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.

For almost forty-five years following the end of the Second World War, the world held its breath as the spectre of an even more terrible and devastating conflict hung over it. Britain played a significant role in what became known as the 'Cold War'. As a senior member of NATO with its own independent nuclear deterrent, the country was also a target for Soviet attack. Unlike the early years of the previous world wars, the country was not faced with the prospect of an enemy invasion; however, it was faced with the probability of attack by nuclear armed missiles and bombs. Kent played an important role during the Cold War as it was still the home to many important military bases and installations. Following the demise of the Soviet Union most of these installations fell out of use and were abandoned and in some cases demolished or redeveloped to make way for housing and industrial estates, whilst others have been repurposed or restored as museums. This book seeks to rediscover some of those sites and explain the purpose they served.

Since 1997 the Portable Antiquities Scheme has recorded almost 1.5 million objects found in England and Wales, the vast majority discovered by members of the public rather than professional archaeologists. Among these finds are more than 10,000 early medieval coins. Each one of these coins has its own story to tell, from its minting, use and loss through to its eventual recovery and recording. In this book, Dr John Naylor, the PAS's National Finds Adviser for Early Medieval and Later Coinage, explores the Anglo-Saxon world through these coin finds, tracing the development of coinage from the end of Roman Britain to the Norman Conquest of 1066 and how they were used by early medieval people. As well as their use in trading, he shows how they can help us to understand how the Anglo-Saxons saw themselves through looking at coin design and iconography, and how they were used in diverse and interesting ways such as their inclusion in burials and hoards, and their re-use as items of jewellery.

Lincolnshire has many well-known stories of the supernatural, among the best known of which is that of the Lincoln Imp. In this book author Daniel J. Codd explores the supernatural lore of Lincolnshire. It includes all manner of phenomena, from forgotten poltergeist incidents and village miracles to recent allegations of werewolf and yeti-type creatures seen in the wilds of Lincolnshire. There are many hitherto unpublished accounts such as reports of the ghost of a small man who appeared to builders renovating a house in Lincoln; a ghostly lady who approached a house in Skellingthorpe (whereupon previously unnoticed footprints were found in concrete outside the door); and a phantom Second World War soldier who crossed a road leading to his old house in Lincoln. There are also stories of UFOs, two tall humanoid figures seen crossing wasteland, monkeys and panthers running wild, and a smoky cross that allegedly appears outside Scunthorpe's hospital when someone is about to die. Paranormal Lincolnshire takes the reader into the world of ghosts, spirits and poltergeists in the county, following their footsteps into the unknown. It captures the spectrum of ghosts, haunted places, UFOs, strange creatures and weird phenomena reported across the county, old and new. These tales will delight ghost hunters and fascinate and intrigue everybody who knows Lincolnshire.

The county of Devon, with its coastline north and south, wild moorland, and rolling rural countryside, villages, market towns, many characterised by local industries, and historic cities of Exeter and Plymouth, has a rich military history that stretches back through centuries. Evidence of Devon's military heritage can be seen throughout the county with numerous buildings and other structures still standing proud today. Devon's Military Heritage explores the long military history of the county, not only the battles that took place on its soil and the measures that were taken to defend it against possible attack but also the heritage of the military units that were raised in the county and which were sent to fight in conflicts abroad. The 1588 Spanish Armada was first engaged by the English fleet off Plymouth, and the famous Devon mariners Sir Francis Drake, Sir John Hawkins, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Richard Grenville were at the forefront of the defeat of the Armada and other encounters with the Spanish during this period. A hundred years later, in 1688, William of Orange landed at Brixham to launch the Glorious Revolution. Devonport has long been a major port and shipbuilding centre for the Royal Navy and Plymouth was a target for German aerial bombardment in the Second World War. Soldiers from the Devonshire Regiment and the Royal Devon Yeomanry and their antecedents fought for the country for centuries and Devon was also the site of the disastrous rehearsal for D-Day where hundreds of Allied servicemen lost their lives off Slapton Sands and in Lyme Bay. The military heritage of castles, fortifications, airfields, military bases and monuments throughout the county is also explored. This book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about Devon's remarkable military history.

Edinburgh has a literary tradition like no other. In 2004, the capital became the first ever UNESCO City of Literature and its book festival is the largest public celebration of the written word on the planet. But that is merely scratching the surface. For centuries, work written, set and published in the city, or directly influenced by Edinburgh, has changed the face of the world. A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume, The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith, The Encyclopaedia Britannica, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Peter Pan, Sherlock Holmes and Harry Potter are just a few of the many books and stories that owe their inspiration to Edinburgh or were created in the city and to these could be added the city's influential literary journals or the other incredible achievements of its authors. Walter Scott, for instance, found the lost Scottish crown jewels, invented the historical romance, helped create tartan and turned the highlands into a tourist destination. He is also credited with uniting the highlands and lowlands and kick-starting the American Civil War. Edinburgh's Literary Heritage seeks to redress that. Covering authors, books, journals, ideas, festivals, attractions and landmarks, it tells the fascinating history of Edinburgh's astonishing literary legacy, as well as being a guide to the locations where that legacy can still be found.

The Man in the Iron Mask has all the hallmarks of a thrilling adventure story: a glamorous and all-powerful king, ambitious ministers, a cruel and despotic gaoler, dark and sinister dungeons - and a secret prisoner. It is easy for forget that this story, made famous by Alexandre Dumas, is that of a real person, who spent more than thirty years in the prison system of Louis XIV's France never to be freed. This book brings to life the true story of this mysterious man and follows his journey through four prisons and across decades of time. It introduces the reader to those with whom he shared his imprisonment, those who had charge of him and those who decided his fate. The Man in the Iron Mask is one of the most enduring mysteries of Louis XIV's reign, but, above all, it is a human story. Using contemporary documents, this book shows what life was really like for state prisoners in seventeenth-century France and offers tantalising insight into why this mysterious man was arrested and why, several years later, his story would become one of France's most intriguing legends.

Although within close proximity to London, the county of Surrey is blessed with green open spaces, including the North Downs, the Weald and the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. All these make it a welcome escape from the frenetic pace and urban sprawl of the capital. The highest point in the county is Leith Hill, with its landmark eighteenth-century tower, one of the county's many National Trust sites. First recorded as 'Suthinge' in AD 722, Surrey became a favourite royal hunting ground and today it is renowned as a centre of horse racing with courses at Epsom, Kempton and Sandown. Racing of another kind once took place at Brooklands, the scene of many record-breaking motoring feats, and during the Second World War aircraft were manufactured there. A museum now celebrates the site's illustrious heritage. In Surrey in Photographs, professional photographer John Miller captures the spirit, essence and identity of Surrey in a series of superb images. He highlights the immense variety of places and landmarks to be found here ranging from rural to urban locations.

Medieval KingE s Lynn (BishopE s Lynn before 1537) was a premier English port, a position it retained until the Industrial Revolution. Its maritime economy was undermined by the coming of the railways, which were the harbinger of modest industrialisation. The major watershed in the ancient boroughE s fortunes arrived in 1962 when it was designated a London overspill town. Though the new industrial and housing estates were located on the townE s outskirts, its historic heart was partly redeveloped for a new shopping centre, and the old cattle market closed. By 2000 KingE s Lynn was no longer the traditional country town and port it had been in 1950. Lost KingE s Lynn presents a portrait of a town and a way of life that has radically changed or disappeared today, showing not just the industries and buildings that have gone, people and street scenes, but also many popular places of entertainment and much more. This fascinating photographic history of lost KingE s Lynn will appeal to all those who live in the town or know it well, as well as those who remember it from previous decades.

In this fascinating and engrossing book, VW expert Richard Copping covers the complete history of the first generation VW Transporter or 'Camper', probably the most famous commercial and leisure van of all time. Beginning with the prototype vehicles produced in 1949, the author covers the development of the innovative but utilitarian Kombi and the more upmarket Micro Bus, followed by the De Luxe Micro Bus, the Ambulance and the Pick-up. He covers the highlights of each vehicle and analyses the success of the range as a whole. The book covers the revamped model line from 1955, when the success of the VW Transporter called for the building of a whole new factory in Hanover. At this time, due to popular demand, Volkswagen authorised a whole series of coach built variations on the Transporter theme with vehicles as diverse as mobile shops, refrigerated vans and police mobile offices. The author also covers the revised model introduced in 1963 with its more powerful engine and revised tailgate and rear window as well as the ongoing success of the model in the United States. By the time German production ended in July 1967, over 1.8 million split-screen, first generation Transporters had been built.

Between the two world wars there was a golden era of industrial design when the benefits of streamlining were realised, allowing for reduced wind resistance, faster transportation and a more efficient economy. The Art Deco-influenced style was also a huge public relations exercise in the glamour-obsessed 1920s and 1930s. Its most obvious manifestations were on the railways, with beautiful streamlined locomotives in daring colour schemes on prestigious named expresses, especially in Europe and North America. They included the Fliegender Hamburger diesel train in Germany, the American Mercury trains and of course Sir Nigel Gresley's A4 Class, on which the streamlined casing and internal streamlining allowed Mallard to break the world speed record. The idea of streamlining made even more sense in the air, where the great airships were crossing the Atlantic, and aircraft like the Douglas DC3 cut through the air more easily than anything that came before. Meanwhile, on the world's roads, buses and cars lost their perpendicular looks and marques like Cord and Bugatti led the way with increasingly aerodynamic, wind-tunnel-tested profiles. Designers like Raymond Loewy, as well as designing streamlined locomotives, began to apply the same style to products for which wind resistance was irrelevant, such as buildings, refrigerators and even pencil sharpeners. This book tells the story of the streamline era - its designers, its successes and failures, its inspiration and its legacy.

Lying 7 miles south-east of Manchester, the town of Stockport can trace its history back to the foundation of a castle in the area in the late twelfth century and the granting of a borough charter around 1220. The town grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution but the earlier town is still visible in the narrow cobbled streets and historic buildings in the market area of the town centre. Stockport was famous from the sixteenth century for the production of hemp and rope, and became a centre for hat-making and the silk industry. During the nineteenth century it was at the heart of cotton manufacturing and today the rich and varied history of the town can be seen in its unique hatting museum, underground Second World War shelters, art deco cinema and theatre and regenerated former industrial buildings. A-Z of Stockport delves into the history of this historic town, revealing interesting and significant moments in the story of Stockport. It highlights well-known landmarks, famous residents and digs beneath the surface to uncover some of the lesser-known facts about Stockport and its hidden gems. This A-Z tour of Stockport's history is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this fascinating town in Greater Manchester.

During the Medieval period, farmers across Europe were often obliged to offer one tenth of their yield to the Church, supporting a network of monasteries, abbeys and their varying religious motives. Storage for such offerings, known as tithes, required the construction of large, protective structures, large enough to hold produce from many surrounding farms. As a result, rural England became peppered with tithe barns - long buildings of timber and stone, often in areas with a significant religious presence. Their longevity is owed in part to the alteration of their use over hundreds of years, few now fulfilling the purpose of storage and taxation of farmers on behalf of the Church. Now, these buildings provide much in the way of pleasure as historical attractions, wedding venues, restaurants and, for some, family homes. Here, some of the country's notable examples are explored, shedding light on a little-known regular feature in Britain's towns and villages.

Second Generation DMUs in Scotland covers the modern diesel multiple units introduced by BR from 1981. It features locations from across Scotland, and also looks at Carlisle. This book covers units from the experimental Class 140s, introduced in 1981, to contemporary examples including Class 185s still in use with TransPennine Express. Possibly the best unit introduced to Scotland are the Class 156 units based at Corkerhill depot in Glasgow. These units can be found working from Newcastle to Mallaig. The new generation of DMU fleets can go faster and travel further and have generated a huge following. Here, Colin J. Howat combines previously unseen historical black-and-white photography with modern digital examples to tell their story.

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.

In The End of the Woodhead Route: Electric Trains Stop Here, transport historian Stephen Heginbotham takes a fresh look at this famous and much mourned route. Perhaps the most keenly missed stretch of track in the entire country, the possibility of the Woodhead Route being reopened remains an ever present issue when the state of the nation's railways is discussed. Utilising a superb selection of previously unpublished photographs from the camera of Ian Blackburn, the true story behind this iconic part of the British landscape is told.