Local and family history, nostalgia

Old photographs allow us to relive the past a little and this excellent collection of more than 200 photographs of Blackburn will bring back memories for many.

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, punishment was intended to be a short, sharp shock, often administered in public to discourage others from committing similar crimes.

Bitterne & West End Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of Hampshire.

Although Birmingham has been a city from the time when Queen Victoria granted city status in 1889 most citizens (Brummies) still refer to Birmingham as a town.

As the nineteenth century progressed, shorter working weeks brought more leisure time and improved opportunities to promote and take part in sport and entertainment.

While the roots of our history in the places mentioned here lie mainly in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, we feel more content with our recent tangible past, especially through the magic of photographs, where we can identify old streets, houses, workplaces, schoolrooms, faces of old friends, our parents, grandparents and scenes that have been hidden away in the dark corners of our minds.

Bideford enjoys a spectacular location in North Devon.

Beverley Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of the country.

Berwick Upon Tweed Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of Northumberland.

Berkhamsted is a market town in the Dacorum Hundred.

From the late eighteenth century, the Industrial Age transformed Belper from a small village of nail-makers to a busy and successful town.

Belgravia and Knightsbridge represent the wealthy face of modern London, but it was not always that way.

The ancient city of Bath owes much to the location of hot springs in the valley of the River Avon.

It is thought that Barnstaple is the oldest borough in England, dating back to the 900s.

This lavishly illustrated book covers Barnard Castle, Middleton-in-Teesdale and a selection of Teesdale villages including Piercebridge, Gainford, Staindrop, Greta Bridge, Cotherstone, Romaldkirk and Mickleton.

Despite the close connection between Barking and Dagenham now, there was an obvious difference in how the two places developed.

Situated at the mouth of the River Deveron on the Moray Firth, the Royal and Ancient Burgh of Banff grew up round a royal castle.

Balsall Heath is an inner city area of Birmingham, which developed rapidly in the nineteenth century.

This fascinating selection of photographs illustrates the extraordinary transformation that has taken place in Aylesbury over the past century.

The first recording of Awsworth is in the Domesday book of 1087.

Audley Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of the country.

The historic market town of Atherstone developed on a mile long stretch of the Roman Road.

Ashford's earliest settlers lived by a ford which crossed the river Stour in a clearing of ash trees.

Nineteenth century visitors to Ashby entered a world of make-believe, thanks to Sir Walter Scott's romantic hero, Ivanhoe.

The towns and villages of Whickham, Sunniside, Marley Hill, Lobley Hill, Swalwell, and Dunston have long been linked, not just geographically and politically, but also by their long association with the coal-mining industry.

The evocative pictures in the collection are almost entirely the work of one photographer, Alfred Vowles.

When Hockley was in the old Manor of Birmingham it was the largest district with clearly defined boundaries.

Before 1944 Heathrow was a hamlet lying in peaceful obscurity within the parish of Harmondsworth.

Around Haslemere and Hindhead From Old Photographs offers a fascinating glimpse into life in the southA ]west corner of Surrey over the last hundred years or so.

Around Fareham From Old Photographs offers a captivating glimpse into the history of the area surrounding the town, providing the reader with a visual representation of Fareham's intriguing and chequered history.

Around Durham Through Time is a lavishly illustrated book which explores the villages lying to the east, within the present city boundary.

Around Conwy From Old Photographs offers a captivating glimpse into the history of this area, providing the reader with a visual representation of Conwy's intriguing and chequered history.

Around Burnham From Old Photographs offers a captivating glimpse into the history of this area, providing the reader with a visual representation of Burnham's lively and charming history.

Blaydon and Winlaton are closely linked both geographically and historically.

The small Sussex town of Battle owes its very name and creation to the famous Battle of Hastings which took place here in 1066; the most decisive and important battle to have ever taken place in England.

Published in a handy A-Z format, here you will find accounts of well known haunting, as well as many previously undiscovered locations.

Ayrshire is a vibrant county, and yet it is an area of sharp contrasts.

Amersham Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of Buckinghamshire.

Alveston Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of the country.

Alton has been a market centre for the villages that surround it for many hundreds of years and these two pictures show the changes that have taken place in the last 100 years.

The beautiful hills of Northumberland hide the secrets of our almost forgotten recent history.

Alfred N.

Aldershot is famous as the 'Home of the British Army' and the early character of the town was formed by the choice of the Army to make Aldershot Heath the site of its first permanent training camp.

Alderney From Old Photographs offers a fascinating glimpse into life on this beautiful island over the last hundred years or so.

In the early 1800s Acton consisted of a small group of houses around the church plus a small farming community at East Acton and some farm dwellings.

Aberystwyth started life as a garrison town for the Normans in 1277.

Abergavenny grew up around the Norman castle, on the site of a Roman fort.

A revised and updated edition of the late Arnold Kellett's A to Z of Knaresborough History, his intriguing and popular guide to this truly historical town.

Along with numerous other villages, since the Second World War, Redbourn's population has grown considerably, and its countenance altered.

WATFORD has witnessed an unprecedented number of changes over the years.