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| Little Logaston, Woonton,
Almeley, Herefordshire, HR3 6QH |
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by Joe Hillaby, 160pp, 180 photos, drawings and plans. £9.95 ISBN 1 873827 05 9 This is a revised and re-typeset edition of The Book of Ledbury published in 1982 by Barracuda Books, and which also contains several new illustrations. It charts the history of Ledbury indicating, as the title suggests, that the town owes much to its development in the medieval period. People of all walks of life are brought into the story, as is much of the architectural detail which makes Ledbury the town it is today.
Arthurian Links with Herefordshire by Mary Andere. 160pp with maps and photographs. Paperback £9.95 ISBN 1 873827 44 X Enthused by reports of a friend who felt she had had an ‘experience’ near the site of St. Dubricius’ seminary at Hentland, Mary sets the scene by analysing what we do know of the Arthurian period in general, what is myth and legend, and where such myths and legends could contain germs of the original truth. Spreading out from Hentland, she details the possible basis for Mordred’s connection with Mordiford, for Gawain’s connection with both Hereford and the old kingdom of Erging; with Uthyr Pendragon’s possible siege of Vortigern at The Doward and for the same area to be the site for Arthur’s eighth battle. Includes details of the early British and Welsh kings and families, and of the Roman Empire.
by Ron Shoesmith. 176pp with maps and photographs. £8.95 ISBN 1 873827 34 2 This book uses documents from the Civil War to largely tell the history of the four sieges by Parliament of Hereford. Ironically the best prepared army led by one of the most experienced generals of age, that of the Scots led by Alexander Leslie, Earl of Leven, was the one which failed with much loss of life. Two earlier attempts succeeded after brief skirmishes, with resultant court martials for some of the Royalist officers; the final attempt resulted in a pamphlet entitled A new tricke to take Townes.
Alfred Watkins - A Herefordshire Man by Ron Shoesmith. 160pp paperback, 80 photographs. £5.95 ISBN 0 9510242 7 2 It chronicles the life of the author of The Old Straight Track, the book which gave birth to ley lines. But Watkins had varied interests—his family ran the Hereford Brewery, he invented the first exposure meter, became a successful archaeologist, was a fan of steam cars, bee-keeping and Free Trade. The book includes 80 photographs, many of them taken from Watkins’ original glass plate negatives stored in Hereford’s city library.
JAMES WATHEN’S HEREFORDSHIRE 1770-1820 by David Whitehead and Ron Shoesmith, 228pp, over 90 colour illustrations. £65 ISBN 1 873827 04 0 A high quality production, this details the life of James Wathen, including his early years in Hereford’s gloving industry before turning to watercolour painting. The paintings show the city gates before demolition, street scenes now disappeared, country houses as they were being rebuilt with the profits from a buoyant agriculture, the Wye at the time of the Wye Tour and rural scenes and villages before mechanisation. Also included are some of his contributions, turned to engravings, for The Gentleman’s Magazine, together with his descriptions of antiquities and churches.
by Francis Godwin, Bishop of Hereford between 1617 and 1633. 80pp, hardback, with photographs. £8.95 ISBN 1 873827 64 4
A science fiction story that predates Jules Verne by some two centuries and, despite Godwin’s appreciation of gravitational theory, the birth of Newton by at least ten years. A Spaniard, set ashore on St. Helena to recuperate, trains the tame wildlife to lift loads with a series of pulleys. He uses a white signal to encourage the birds to rise and, after a few adventures en route, he is whisked off to the ultimate white signal—the Moon. A modern introduction sets Godwin’s scientific views against the knowledge of the age, and also considers the wider implications of the book. This is one of the earliest science fiction stories written, yet has very advanced views on gravity and the Solar System and is also entangled with the Geographer Richard Hakluytt and his campaign for greater (terrestrial!) English exploration in the late 1500s. .
The Rivers Wye and Lugg Navigation, A Documentary History 1555-1951
by Victor Stockinger. 564pp with 57 illustrations, Hardback. £25 ISBN 1 873827 89 X
A collation of much of the documentary evidence assembled for the Public Enquiry into the navigation rights on the Wye. Documents include Acts of Parliament, surveys, terriers, leases, public notices, personal letters and other writings, including from the case of the Free Fishery in Archenfield. All brought together with an introduction comparing the development and current situation of the Wye with other waterways.
An Endless Quiet Valley. John Masefield, a re-evaluation by Paul Binding. 240pp with 24 illustrations. Hardback £17.95 ISBN 1 873827 35 0 Paperback £9.95 ISBN 1 873827 30 X
A literary re-appraisal of John Masefield, with Paul Binding, previously deputy literary editor of the New Statesman. Paul considers that Masefield’s period, that commenced with The Everlasting Mercy and continued with several narrative poems, sonnets and other work into the 1920s, to be his canon—a canon that shocked then, and can shock now. Paul sets Masefield’s work in the context of other literary work that was appearing and the attitudes of the time, and considers the man himself, and the passions and complexity which made him write as he did.
by Ron Shoesmith, 292 pp, fully illustrated. Paperback £9.95 ISBN 1 873827 55 5
'There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced, as by a good tavern or inn.' In this book, Ron Shoesmith sets the legislative and brewing background and then works his way around the city detailing each inn's development and, where possible, its associated stories—from the medieval to the modern. This revised edition contains much additional information that has come to light since the first edition, together with further illustrations, now some two hundred in total. The book also contains an extensive index.
The Herefordshire School of Romanesque Sculpture by Malcolm Thurlby, 178 pp, over 240 illustrations. Paperback £12.95 ISBN 1 873827 60 1 (1st reprint 2000) This highly illustrated book serves as both a Guide to the surviving work of the Herefordshire School, and provides a history of the school itself. Professor Thurlby compares the surviving work, both in stone and in other materials, in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and beyond, with that of other styles both at home and abroad—Celtic motifs, Romano-British and Anglo-Saxon work, as well as sculpture in France and Spain. The Herefordshire School of Romanesque Sculpture brings together the people behind the work, both patrons and carvers, with the architectural and sculptural styles in an easily readable form that will appeal to the specialist and general reader alike.
Quotations Spanning 1,000 years Compiled by Jon Hurley, 114 pp. Paperback £7.95 ISBN 1 873827 95 4 Ross is an old-fashioned town; but it is very very beautifully situated, and if there is little finery in the appearance of the inhabitants, there is also little of misery (William Cobbett, Rural Rides, Vol.1, 1821) This, and many other quotations used by Jon Hurley in this book, create a picture of the town over the years—the passing of wars; the poverty of some and the wealth of others; the range of benefactors, and the praise and occasional opprobrium in which they were held; of life, of drink, of death; in the activities of the church; of riots on the Prospect; in the construction of modern amenities; the coming of the railways and supermarkets; even the town's appearance in fiction.
by Bernard Jay, 240pp 15 photos and maps, £9.95 ISBN 1873827 50 4 This is the story of the contrasts in life between Romance and Reality, youth and old age. The romance of a farmer’s boy in Herefordshire and being a Grenadier Guard in World War II. The romance of the Trinity College of Music, of singing with Audrey Hepburn, to the realities of farming in Venezuela. The romance of love affairs and the realities behind romantic ties. Both the realities of teaching English in Venezuela and the romance of travelling around that country, of the problems of developing property in Malvern and Cheltenham. The two strands were again at work in the Algarve in Portugal, and latterly in that country of Romance, Wales where Bernard Jay had a chance to write this book.The story is told bluntly, with humorous moments wonderfully relived, the failings not disguised, the constant entanglements in which a Romantic finds himself. Bernard Jay’s life has been a full one, in love, activity and location. The scene constantly changes and it should give all of us a desire to make the most of our time on this earth, whilst at the same time not living life selfishly.
by Andrew Johnson, 336pp Pbk, plus 40 line illustrations and 84 maps. £7.95 ISBN 0 9510242 6 4 A guide book to the area from Llandrindod and Builth Wells to the River Severn, from Ross and Ledbury in the south to Stourport and Ludlow in the north. This book contains 80 circular walks of roughly two hours duration on average and chapters on the history, agriculture, folklore, cider, beer, and art and literature of the area. There is also a gazetteer to over 150 towns, villages and places of interest.
Walks in Southern Powys & the Borders by Andrew Johnson, 112pp, line illustrations and maps. £4.95 ISBN 0 9510242 8 0 This book includes 35 walks of two hours duration in an area roughly bounded by Llanidloes, Rhayader, Builth Wells, Brecon, Hay-on-Wye, Kington and Knighton. Where appropriate, the walks include notes on the local history of places passed and seen.
Coastal and Valley Walks in South Wales by Andrew Johnson, 80pp, line illustrations and maps. £4.95 ISBN 1 873827 01 6 Similar format to the above title, includes 24 walks in an area bounded by Newport, Abergavenny, Merthyr, and Swansea with notes on some of the history, sights and sites.
A Guide to its Archaeology, History, Folklore & Villages by Brian Hoggard, 76pp, photos, maps & plans. £4.95 ISBN 1 873827 06 7 (2nd reprint 2000)
The hill abounds in ancient sites, has interesting geological features, is surrounded by Cotswold stone churches that contain a wealth of intriguing carvings, and by villages of stone and thatch. With continual settlement from the Iron Age, and probably the Neolithic, with a range of folklore and customs, this is a tremendous area to explore, and this book is an invaluable aid to that exploration.
A Guide to Walking the Welsh Hewitts by Graham Uney, 384pp, 20 maps, 30 colour & 80 black & white illstns. Paperback £14.95 ISBN 1 873827 65 2
Hewitts (Hills of England, Wales and Ireland above Two Thousand feet are found over much of Wales. Whilst many are in the Snowdonia National Park, others stretch eastwards towards the English border at Oswestry, southwards through Cadair Idris and Plynlimon into the wilds of Central Wales and then eastwards again to the Radnor Forest. Further south a band runs from the English border at Hay-on-Wye through the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons towards Mynydd Du. In all there are 137 Welsh Hewitts. The first part of the book provides a section for each of the 20 groups of hills, detailing scenery, routes, stories, atmosphere and much besides. Part two is the story of Graham Uney’s attempt to climb them all during the summer of 1998. The book also sees the launch of the Welsh Hewitts Club for those interested in ‘bagging’ them all.
by Pat Hughes & Heather & Lawrence Hurley. 198pp. £12.95 Copiously illustrated with photographs, plans and copies of documents. ISBN 1 873827 11 3 (1st reprint 2000)
The history of a market town on the River Wye from the first hunter gatherers to the dawn of a new millennium. Much original and new research has gone into providing an insight into the layout of the medieval town and its shopkeepers, the markets and meeting places, industries and past enterprises, religious tensions, education, and the role of the River Wye in trade and tourism.
A Study of Dedications by D M Annett. 68pp. with illustrations by Joe Hillaby. £4.95 ISBN 1-873827 26 1
Herefordshire is peculiar amongst English counties, along with Cornwall, in having many churches dedicated to Celtic saints, and brief biographies of these, as well as of biblical and legendary saints are all included. The book includes details of dedications sometimes changing with ecclesiastical fashion and sometimes through disuse and the often mistaken attempts of 18th century antiquarians to recover them. This slim volume provides a wealth of reference material for those who want to delve more deeply into the subject.
Vernacular Buildings of Whitchurch & Area and Their Occupantsby Madge Moran. 284pp. £12.95 Illustrated with many photographs and original survey drawings ISBN 1 873727 16 4
Over the years a dedicated group of people, all members of a research class sponsored by Keele University have carefully measured and drawn a variety of historic buildings in the Whitchurch area. The results have been analysed and compared with documentary evidence to produce a detailed picture of life in this fascinating part of north Shropshire.
The Story of the Three Choirs Festival Chorus Compiled by Barbara Young. 111pp. Illustrated. £6.95 ISBN 1-873827-31-8 (1st reprint 2000)
In this book, Barbara Young, for several years a member of the Three Choirs Festival Chorus, explores the origins of that chorus and how it changed to meet the demands of musical taste throughout three centuries. This is not a dry book, but a very personal account which will appeal to listeners and singers alike. To help tell the tale, the author uses letters and anecdotes from chorus members past and present, and has included many engravings, drawings and photographs.
E ssays in the History and Archaeology of South-West ShropshireEdited by J Leonard, D Preshous, M Roberts, J Smyth & C Train 259 pages. Illustrated. £6.95 ISBN 1-873827-36-9 (1st reprint 2000) The South-West Shropshire Historical and Archaeological Society has produced this book as a celebration of the Millennium. It comprises 20 essays by a variety of authors with a shared enthusiasm for the archaeology and history of Shropshire and the Central Marches. Starting from the Iron Age hillforts and concluding with the story of the Community College, Bishop’s Castle, it surveys many aspects of the changes and developments which have occurred over the past two thousand years and shaped the landscape of this corner of Shropshire
Land’s End to John O’Groats by Tony Hobbs. 130 pages. Illustrated section, £9.95 ISBN 1-873827-41-5 In the summer of 1997 Tony Hobbs decided to walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Not one of your super fit, hardy, well-prepared outdoor types, he acquired a tent and rucksack, filled the latter with what he thought he needed and set off. Many are the characters met with, the villages and buildings explored, the additional miles walked through taking wrong turns. By writing this self-deprecating book, Tony, who lives in Herefordshire, seeks to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Every copy sold will generate a minimum of £2 for the charity |
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For More Information Contact: Email: info@logastonpress.co.uk Copyright © 2000 Logaston Press
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