In the last three blog post on the 2016 Alan Ball Award nominees, LSG Chair Terry Bracher outlines the other excellent entries for the 2016 printed book awards.
Nomination for the 2017 awards closed a few weeks ago, so look out for more info on the 2017 winners and nominees in future posts.
Lambeth Architecture 1965-99; Edmund Bird and Fiona Price, with photographs by John East; -Lambeth Archives (London Borough of Lambeth) and Lambeth local History forum; 2015; ISBN 978-0-9926695-3-9
This is the fourth volume in a series on the architectural history of Lambeth. This publication records 260 notable buildings erected in the borough between1965 and 1999. The buildings are grouped by themes including public buildings, health, culture, transport, housing, commercial, ecclesiastical, public art, lost buildings and un-built post-war Lambeth. An introduction provides a sweeping context for the buildings; while entries include short histories, contemporary and modern photographs, architectural designs and models. The book is comprehensive guide to the building of this period that contributed to Lambeth’s rich and varied built heritage.
Redbridge and the First World War; Richard Greene; Redbridge Musuem; 2015;
A beautifully designed and illustrated book that uncovers some of the impacts of the First World War in Ilford, Wanstead and Woodford, in what is now the London Borough of Redbridge. It is based on research by the Redbridge Musuem, using local archives, photographs and family papers; and explores how the war affected local life, the international nature of the conflict, family histories of local residents and how people coped with the transition to peace. The book also follows the lives of local soldiers, but also provides space to consider the home front. It includes the local airfield used in the defence of London against Zeppelin raids, factories involved in the war effort, hospitals that treated wounded soldiers and the residents who provided homes for Belgian refugees; and insights into how the war affected the roles of women and the lives of children.
There is also an accompanying website www.rebridgefirstworldwar.org.uk which explores in greater depth different aspects of the war. This includes information on war memorials, local soldiers and the collections of archives, objects and photographs at Redbridge Museum.
Making Cars at Longbridge, 1905 to the Present Day; Gillian Bardsley and Colin Corker, British Motor Industry Heritage Trust; History Press; 2016; ISBN: 978-0-7509-6529-3
This book was originally published in 2005, but it was re-written, reshaped and updated in 2016. The factory was a major employer and an integral part of the community since Herbert Austin founded the Austin motor Company at Longbridge, near Birmingham, in 1905. It was subsequently the home to the British Motor company, British Leyland, Rover Group and MG Rover. The book focuses on the people that worked at Longbridge, their contribution to the factory and the factory’s role in shaping their working and social lives. It also charts the regeneration of the area since the closure of the factory in 2005, the rebuilding of both the community and economy. This publication contains many unique images from the official company archive.
From Riga to Rock Street and Other Journeys: A history of the Oldham Jewish community; Hilary Thomas in partnership with Oldham Local Studies and Archives; 2016.
This is the third in a series of publications about the Jewish community in the North West. In this book Hilary Thomas uncovers the hidden history of Oldham’s Jewish community form around 1870 to the present day. It presents histories and biographies of Jewish families and individuals connected to the local synagogue, businesses and professions, wartime and refugees; detailing their contribution to Oldham’s rich and diverse economic and social history.
The Accessibles; Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People; 2015.
In the summer of 2015, Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People were approached by Manchester City council in partnership with Manchester Central Library to create a piece of work to celebrate UK Disability History Month. It focused on working with the young Disables People Taking Action Group, who decided to produce a comic that would look at disabled people’s contribution to Manchester and explore how disabled people are represented in the media. Working with local artist Jim Medway, members of the group portrayed themselves as characters in the book and used the notion of time travel to observe key events and visit people who had contributed to the understanding and portrayal of disability today. The result is a creative and engaging format that provides an introduction to the history of disability in the city.
One participant said “We’ve leant all about disability history, stories we didn’t know before. I liked research on where disability has come from, how it used to be viewed 100 years ago,” while others added “The team spirit has been great, and good how the comic book story has reflected our personalities and ideas … I’ve leant so much” and “I find history fascinating, so I’ve really enjoyed the research, especially the Victorian era and its use of language to describe disability. So different form today which is good.”
A History of Harrison, McGregor and Guest of Leigh; Tony Ashcroft and Becky Farmer; Wigan Archives Service; 2015
Leigh in the county of Lancashire became known for its coalmining, cotton production industries and agricultural machinery. The most recognised agricultural engineering business was Harrison, McGregor and Company, founded, in 1872, based at the Albion works. The company achieved a worldwide reputation for manufacturing mowing machines and other farm machinery.
This book was produced using company’s archive, held by the Wigan Archive Service, and gives insight into how Harrison and McGregor’s successful business was established and how it evolved in making the company a success – from directors to employees – and gives an overview of the types of machinery produced by the business. Although nothing remains of the Albion works today, this book ensures that Harrison, McGregor and Company’s contribution to the economy and heritage of Leigh is documented for future researchers.
The book was created by Tony Ashcroft (former Leigh Local Studies Officer) and Becky Farmer, Wigan Archive’s Skills for the Future Digital Archives Trainee.
CILIP Local Studies Group 