Amberley Publishing strana 16 z 20

Kew and Brentford are not so much separated by the River Thames as connected through it. The ford here was the first point on the tidal stretch of the great river that could easily be crossed on foot – meaning many travellers have passed through down the centuries, perhaps the most famous being Julius Caesar. Kew has strong royal links and in 1759 Princess Augusta founded Kew Gardens, now known officially as the Royal Botanical Gardens. Today Kew is also famous for the National Archives. Kew and Brentford also have a rich industrial history, from pharmaceutical giants Beechams (and today GlaxoSmithKline) to aircraft manufacturers Sopwith and Handley Page and motor vehicle manufacturers Dodge and Chrysler. In A–Z of Kew and Brentford author Andy Bull reveals the history behind these towns, their streets and buildings, industries and the people connected with them. Alongside the famous historical connections are included some unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well-known. Readers will discover tales of painters drawn to this area, the manufacture of Brompton folding bicycles in a railway arch and a notorious Victorian murderer among many other fascinating facts in this A–Z tour of Kew and Brentford’s history. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in these historic West London towns.

In 878, Alfred, king of Wessex was on the verge of oblivion. Trapped on a small island in the Somerset Levels, it seemed as if he and his kingdom were about to be destroyed. Yet within months he had defeated the Viking invaders and started to reverse the tide of conquest.While Alfred was driven by the prospect of a land called England that did not yet exist, he was not the one who finally created it. Two of his children, Edward – king of Wessex after him – and his remarkable daughter Athelflad, the Lady of the Mercians, expanded his kingdom into Mercia in the Midlands. His grandson Athelstan confirmed the conquest of the north at one of the great battles of the so-called Dark Ages at Brunanburh. The triumph of Alfred’s dynasty was cemented by the short but magnificent reign of Edgar ‘the Peaceable’, a man who could claim to be not just king of England but emperor of the whole of Britain.The ultimate collapse of Anglo-Saxon England, first of all in the face of Cnut of Denmark’s campaigns in 1015/16 and later in the Norman Conquest of 1066, has unjustly obscured their achievements. This book tells the story of the Anglo-Saxons and reasserts their right to be regarded as one of the greatest royal dynasties that Britain has ever seen.

The market town of Romsey lies on the River Test in Hampshire, on the border of the New Forest. The medieval settlement grew around its wealthy abbey, and the abbey church is still one of the glories of the town today. Woollen and tanning industries also brought prosperity to the area, and the town later became a brewing centre. The large country house of Broadlands was built on the abbey’s land after the Dissolution of the Monasteries and became home to Prime Minister Palmerston in the nineteenth century and later Lord Mountbatten. Today IBM is based nearby. In A–Z of Romsey, author Martin Brisland reveals the history behind the town, its streets and buildings, industries and the people connected with the place. Alongside the famous historical connections, he includes some unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well-known. Readers will discover tales of science and innovation, lifeboats and brewing, honeymooning royalty, presidents and politicians among many other fascinating facts in this A–Z tour of Romsey’s history. Fully illustrated, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic Hampshire town.

The city of Nottingham has been an important centre of trade and industry in the East Midlands since the Middle Ages. Famous particularly for lace-making, centred on the preserved Lace Market area, it was also home to the household names of Boots the chemists and Raleigh bicycles. Since the Norman period the layout of Nottingham and its streets remained virtually the same until the mid-twentieth century. In the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, Nottingham began to see many historic quarters of the city disappear. Large areas were demolished; centuries-old streets disappeared, particularly around the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre where numerous ancient caves under buildings were also destroyed; and famous old buildings such as the Black Boy hotel, Holy Trinity Church and Victoria train station fell victim to the bulldozers. This book sets out to explore what has been lost in the city over the years through photographs, slides, postcards, documents and illustrations from the Paul Nix Collection, the Nottingham Hidden History Team archive and the author’s own photographs.Lost Nottingham presents a portrait of a city and a way of life that has radically changed or disappeared today, often in the name of progress and development, 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 Nottingham will appeal to all those who live in the city or know it well, as well as those who remember it from previous decades.

Glasgow Harbour, the port and shipbuilding centre along the River Clyde from Glasgow Green to the River Kelvin and beyond to Clydebank, became the greatest seaport in Scotland and one of the largest in Britain. Through a mixture of striking illustrations, this book recounts the early history, development, pioneering inventions and importance nationally and internationally of Glasgow Harbour, as well as its regeneration today. From the seventeenth century Glasgow became one of the major hubs of trade across the Atlantic and to the rest of the world. In the eighteenth century Glasgow adopted new methods to deepen and engineer the River Clyde to make it more useful and the largest and most advanced docks were to be built, with some 12 miles of busy quayside lining the river. By the nineteenth century Glasgow was also the world-leading shipbuilding centre, including such famous names as Fairfield, John Brown, Beardmore, Barclay Curle, Stephen and Connell. Later Yarrow and Harland & Wolff joined the ranks of shipbuilders, and at its peak over seventy shipping lines operated from the city. Although heavy industry in Glasgow Harbour has shrunk, today much of the waterfront is being regenerated.Graeme Smith and Mike McCreery tell the fascinating story of Glasgow Harbour from its early days to the present – how ‘Glasgow made the Clyde, and the Clyde made Glasgow’.

Today, wrist watches are part practical, part fashion and part wearable tech. This was just as true at the beginning of the 1970s, with the invention of the digital watch. Initially they were incredibly expensive, first seen on the wrists of James Bond and Elton John. However, the technology soon became more affordable, and they were considered a cool must-have gadget.Over the coming decades, they evolved from the early red LED displays to today’s smart watches and fitness trackers. Along the way there were games watches, radios and calculators – even a TV on your wrist. In this book Andy Morten explores the history and cultural significance of this influential device.

The town of St Andrews in Fife has much to celebrate. Its cathedral was the largest church built in Scotland and the bishops, and later archbishops, played an important role in ruling medieval Scotland. Scotland’s first university was established in St Andrews, which began teaching religious studies in 1410. The university has been the choice for many famous people and is also responsible for many of the town’s traditions. The town was a favourite of Mary, Queen of Scots, who owned a home in St Andrews. In 1663, astrologer and mathematician James Gregory published a design for the first reflecting telescope in St Andrews, and in 1673 Gregory laid the first Meridian line, which earned St Andrews the title ‘the place where time began’. St Andrews is best known, however, as the home of golf. The game had been played and developed in the town for centuries before the formation of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in 1754, which is considered the headquarters of golf. The town is also famous for its long, sandy beaches, which attracted filmmakers who shot the opening sequence of Chariots of Fire on the West Sands. The Lammas market, the oldest surviving medieval market, is still held in the centre of town, and the annual St Andrew’s Day celebrations, the patron saint of Scotland from whom the town takes its name, are a major attraction. Yet not all of the big names from St Andrews are human: Hamish McHamish, a large ginger cat, became one of the best-known residents and is remembered by a statue in the town centre.Celebrating St Andrews chronicles the proud heritage of the town, its important moments and what draws so many to this fascinating place today. Illustrated throughout, this fascinating book offers a marvellous and refreshingly positive insight into St Andrews’ rich history.

Few people would have envisaged that when the fledgling D&G Bus commenced operations in April 1998 with four vehicles that twenty-five years later it would become larger than its neighbour, First Potteries. Its journey has seen expansion through acquisitions of other local bus operators and an increase in tendered services following the collapse of other firms.Rationalisation by Arriva in Cannock, Macclesfield and Winsford provided more opportunities for further growth outside the existing area. Although becoming part of Centrebus in 2019, D&G Bus continues to be run as a separate entity with its two-tone red livery only recently being replaced with a red, blue and yellow scheme applied in the Centrebus style. Over the years the fleet has been diversified, initially with van-derived minibuses followed by Dennis Darts with various bodywork and Optare and Alexander Dennis vehicles, many purchased new.In this book Cliff Beeton’s fine selection of photographs illustrates the rich and varied story of D&G Bus over the last twenty-five years.

Launched in 1960 with design by Pininfarina, the Peugeot 404 proved to be a highly successful model that helped to enhance Peugeot’s reputation for building durable cars. In this readable and comprehensive book, Peugeot 404 expert and registrar Rhys Nolan covers the development of all of the Peugeot 404 models and variants, both in France and abroad. He describes the many changes that were made to the 404 models over the years, including the introduction of new engines and how Peugeot worked with Mercedes to introduce diesel engines to family cars. He examines the many variants on the basic saloon model, including the Commerciale, Break and seven-seat family estate cars. In 1961, a convertible was launched and widely praised for its elegant design. The 404 was exported to countries in the African continent, where the car’s strong suspension and durability made it extremely popular, and Argentina, where it was manufactured under licence. It went on to enjoy success in the East African Safari, which it won four times, and in Pan-American and Argentinian circuit racing.Including helpful advice for enthusiasts and owners, this is a concise, accessible and authoritative guide to a car once described as among the best in the world.

In the fifth century, Attila the Hun terrorised both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires; his were the first of the Devil’s horsemen. After his death his empire quickly disintegrated – but then came the Magyars, fighting the early Holy Roman Empire, and the heavy cavalry used to counter them is where the concept of the knight in armour comes from. Thirdly, there are the Turks, the only group that didn’t expand into Europe, but instead conquered the Middle East. Like the other groups, they were shamanistic pagans and yet within a generation they had converted to Islam.Fourthly, and most famously, we have the Mongol Empire, the largest land-based empire in history, spreading from Korea to Poland. It was hugely important for a century and its impact lasted for half a millennium. Finally, there is Tamerlane. Alexander the Great gets a lot of credit for fighting for eight years without a loss. Tamerlane fought for 25 without loss and he was paralysed down one side of his body. He would even vanquish two of the earlier groups, in wars against the Mongols and the Turkish Ottoman sultans.What links them all is the horse as a weapon of war. In his own attractive style – ‘as accessible as it is informative’ (Deus Vult) – Jem Duducu rides across a thousand years of conquest on horseback.

Nuclear Copper is a true story that delves into the fascinating and covert world of nuclear policing, as seen through the eyes of PC Okuhara. As Matt Okuhara became immersed in the intricacies of nuclear security, he quickly earned a position in the elite Strategic Escort Group (SEG). Alongside this extraordinary group of professionals, he embarked on a series of high-stakes assignments, safeguarding sensitive nuclear materials both domestically and abroad.In Nuclear Copper, readers are granted a rare glimpse into the clandestine world of safeguarding nuclear assets. Working hand-in-hand with international partners, PC Okuhara’s experiences are not confined to his home country. The narrative describes collaborative efforts with special forces, the French Marines, and the Japanese Coastguard. These international partnerships bring unique challenges and cultural dynamics.The risks of this work are omnipresent, and the consequences of failure are unthinkable. From identifying potential threats to uncovering attempts at nuclear espionage, the officers of the CNC navigate a world where precision, adaptability, and resolve are essential qualities.

The pre-Grouping Companies were fiercely competitive and would defend any incursion by another company penetrating what they considered to be their ‘territories’. Nevertheless, at times they would cooperate. This cooperation resulted in a large number of joint lines. These joint lines ranged from fully independent operations, complete with their own staffs, locomotives and rolling stock, to short lengths of railway used by the joint companies, the cost of maintenance of which was shared.There were more than seventy of these joint lines, and all feature in this series by popular railway author Patrick Bennett. This volume focuses on those found in eastern and southern England.

In the 200 years since it was founded, the RNLI has saved more than 144,000 lives.It all began with a meeting in London in 1824 to act on a proposal by Sir William Hillary: the formation of a National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck. It is his vision that still drives the RNLI today. The vast majority of its crews are volunteers, backed up by large numbers of fundraisers from all walks of life. And the charity today saves lives in more ways, in more places – through lifeguards, water safety and international work. But, since the RNLI’s foundation, it has not always been plain sailing. In April 1852, the Lifeboat Journal observed that ‘lifeboats have been too few in number, of imperfect form and construction, and often unsuited to the nature of the locality where stationed’. This book takes a fresh look at the creation of the Institution and its early founders, and examines how it has responded over 200 years to the inevitable stresses and external pressures. It provides information on many hitherto unsung heroes and heroines and lesser-known rescues, along with the well-known events.The RNLI has overcome many obstacles and is now one of the UK and Ireland’s most respected organisations. How it became so is a story of determination, acumen, skill and bravery. More than 700 names are inscribed on the RNLI Memorial at the RNLI Support Centre in Poole, Dorset. The author and publishers hope that this book is a fitting tribute to such self-sacrifice.

The railway route between Settle and Carlisle in the North West of England is one of the most scenic lines in Britain. Crossing moors and mountainside, through the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines, the line is famous for its spectacular views, its tunnels and its viaducts, not least the legendary Ribblehead Viaduct. This remarkable feat of Victorian engineering was under threat of closure by British Rail in the 1980s. Campaigners fought hard to keep it open and today growing numbers of passengers travel the line, closed stations have reopened and the line carries many steam-operated specials and charter trains as well as regular passenger and freight workings from Settle Junction on the Leeds–Morecambe Line to Carlisle near the England–Scotland border.In this book photographer John Bentley captures the variety of workings to be seen on this line and its beautiful scenery over the last decade alongside a selection of images taken when the line’s future was in doubt in the 1980s.

The county of Berkshire is home to a through route from east to west following the River Thames, the ancient Ridgeway, the A4 trunk road, the Kennet and Avon Canal and the Great Western Railway. Within this long, slipper-shaped county there is something for everyone - gems from medieval to modern times. It can be divided into five geographical sections: the Vale of the White Horse, the Chalk Downs, the Kennet Valley, the district east of the River Loddon and the Thames Valley itself. Glorious buildings stand at Bisham and Ufton Court, there is the splendid gatehouse of Donnington Castle and the crowning glory of all, Windsor Castle and St George’s Chapel. There are fine market towns, the White Horse at Uffington, Roman Silchester, the medieval barn at Great Coxwell, grand stately homes and fascinating medieval churches. Other attractions include the Savill Gardens at Windsor, the Museum of Berkshire Aviation, the Stanley Spencer Gallery at Cookham and the Sandham Memorial Chapel, the Thames Valley Police Museum, the Beale Wildlife Park and the Windsor and Eton Brewery.50 Gems of Berkshire explores the many places and their history that make this part of the country so special, including natural features, towns and villages, buildings and places of historical interest. Alongside justly famous attractions, others will be relatively unknown, but all have an interesting story to tell.

Dundee is a modern city with a long history. It became a royal burgh in the late twelfth century, but the town itself long predates this, and human settlement in the area can be traced back many hundreds of years earlier. In its eight centuries of official existence, Dundee has been a medieval burgh subjected to invasion and conflict, a thriving seaport and centre of trade, and a booming industrial town known worldwide for its ‘Jute, Jam and Journalism’. It officially became a city in 1889 and, shortly after this, began to be documented by the medium of the picture postcard.In many ways Dundee can be considered the home of the picture postcard. In the early years of the twentieth century when the craze for them was at its height, Valentines of Dundee was the world’s largest producer of postcards and their closest Scottish rival J. B. White Limited was also a local firm. Many photographs were taken for postcard production in Dundee and these images have become an invaluable historic archive for local historians. Dundee: The Postcard Collection dips into this archive and presents many rare and fascinating images of the city.