- Hardcover: 192 pages
- Publisher: Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd (Sep 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1859835201
- ISBN-13: 978-1859835203
- Product Dimensions: 27.6 x 19.6 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,226,788 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Shropshire is a large inland county that has been influenced by countless generations from the Celts, Romans, Saxons and Normans through to the present day. Towards the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century many enterprising national and local photographers travelled around the country taking thousands of photographs of people, places and events that were then turned into postcards. Thankfully many of these cards still survive, tucked away in old albums or stored in attics and at the back of drawers and cupboards. They give us a glimpse of how life was at this time and how things have altered during the last century as progress has accelerated. Telford New Town dates from 1968 when the Government enlarged the area that had been designated Dawley New Town in 1963. It was named after Thomas Telford, a Scotsman, who came to Shropshire in 1786 and became Surveyor of Public Works for the county. Many of the settlements have a long history, some pre-dating the Norman Conquest, and although a great deal of change has taken place over the past 40 years the local population have done their utmost to preserve the identity of their area. It is a region of great contrast, from the rural nature of Wellington in the north to the heavy industrialisation of the Ironbridge Gorge, a World Heritage site and the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The photographs are taken from Ray Farlow's unique collection of old picture postcards and illustrate the buildings, countryside and the lives of the people who lived in the area long before the new town of Telford was envisaged. The result is a fascinating book that is sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in Shropshire's fascinating local history.
About the Author
DAVID TRUMPER was born and bred in Shropshire and has always lived in Shrewsbury. A teacher by profession, since his retirement he has continued to write local history books and contribute articles to local newspapers and magazines. He lectures and gives slide presentations on the county's past and arranges historical walks. RAY FARLOW lives in Bridgnorth and over the years has amassed an enormous archive of postcards of Shropshire's past. He often supplies material to the Shropshire Star for their nostalgia features.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
Ray Farlow's collection of old Shropshire postcards is unsurpassed so, from the pictorial point of view, this book is an asset to the collection of anyone interested in the Telford's past. However, for variety and completeness, other books are available and shouldn't be overlooked.
Where this book fails is in the accuracy of the captions and it's apparent that the writer is unfamiliar with the history of the area. Many of the captions seem to regurgitate detail from various Directories (which are not always correct) and occasionally poorly researched books while others are completely wrong, again probably because the author appears to lack sufficient basic in-depth knowledge of Telford townships' history to understand when he's made a faux pas.
For example, the photo at the foot of page 24 features a motor car which, in 1910, must have been something of a rarity (if not uniquely ahead of its time), whereas in the 1930s it was more likely, especially as there is a quantity of this postcard bearing 1930s postmarks ... furthermore, Eaton & Co were still operating in the 1930s, NOT the 'mid-1920s'. The photo at the top of page 37 was taken in the grounds of Wellington College (which became Wrekin College in 1920) ... NOT 'in an area off Regent Street'. The photo at the top of page 36 was NOT taken at Orleton Hall, although the Hall did accommodate its own Red Cross hospital during WWII. The Carnival group photo at the top of page 39 was taken in 1924, NOT 'around 1930'.
Sadly there are many more mistakes before and after these pages; I did consider writing to the publisher with a long list of corrections. However, that would have taken far too long and I doubt any action would have been taken to rectify matters, especially if this were just a single-print run as I suspect it was.
Buy this book for interest in the images but PLEASE don't rely on the accuracy of the textual information. Shame. The end result could have been so much better.
Where this book fails is in the accuracy of the captions and it's apparent that the writer is unfamiliar with the history of the area. Many of the captions seem to regurgitate detail from various Directories (which are not always correct) and occasionally poorly researched books while others are completely wrong, again probably because the author appears to lack sufficient basic in-depth knowledge of Telford townships' history to understand when he's made a faux pas.
For example, the photo at the foot of page 24 features a motor car which, in 1910, must have been something of a rarity (if not uniquely ahead of its time), whereas in the 1930s it was more likely, especially as there is a quantity of this postcard bearing 1930s postmarks ... furthermore, Eaton & Co were still operating in the 1930s, NOT the 'mid-1920s'. The photo at the top of page 37 was taken in the grounds of Wellington College (which became Wrekin College in 1920) ... NOT 'in an area off Regent Street'. The photo at the top of page 36 was NOT taken at Orleton Hall, although the Hall did accommodate its own Red Cross hospital during WWII. The Carnival group photo at the top of page 39 was taken in 1924, NOT 'around 1930'.
Sadly there are many more mistakes before and after these pages; I did consider writing to the publisher with a long list of corrections. However, that would have taken far too long and I doubt any action would have been taken to rectify matters, especially if this were just a single-print run as I suspect it was.
Buy this book for interest in the images but PLEASE don't rely on the accuracy of the textual information. Shame. The end result could have been so much better.
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