Richard Bates 
World is My Mirror 

The Worcestershire town of Redditch grew up in the Middle Ages but became famous for needle manufacturing, and by the nineteenth century it produced 90 per cent of the world’s needles. Alongside the …

Walworth, in the London borough of Southwark, was mentioned in the Domesday Book and, over the centuries, this former rural, agricultural area has been engulfed by the expansion and urban sprawl of …

Cirencester is one of the most remarkable towns in Britain. From its Roman beginnings around AD 75, when it was classed second only in importance to London, to its current status as the ‘Capital of …

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest counties. It provides a nostalgic look at Hampshire’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic …

The Dorset town of Shaftesbury is beautifully sited on a hill overlooking the Blackmore Vale, on the edge of Cranborne Chase. The town grew up around its abbey, which was founded in c. 888 by King …

Blackpool was ‘created’ from sparsely populated farmland and villages for the purpose of visitors having fun and pleasure. The development of the town over the last 170 years or so has led to a …

The Lake District is one of Britain’s most popular tourist gems, nestled at the heart of the North West. The villages and mountains have been an inspiration for writers, artists and climbers over the …

From a modest street in Altrincham of not more than sixty-one houses, at least 158 men enlisted and fought in the First World War. The bravery and in some cases sacrifices of these men was recognised …

The North Devon town of Barnstaple has a claim to being the oldest borough in England. Its location on the River Taw, from which shipping could reach the Bristol Channel, enabled it to grow as a …

Stroud is a delightful Cotswold market town built on a hillside at the convergence of five valleys. Into its rich history are woven many strands: the story of the wool trade, the arrival of canals …