New book: Downstream by Tom Fort

Excellent new book by Tom Fort, The Financial Times Angling Correspondent, describing the journey he took (mainly by plywood punt!) along the River Trent in the summer of 2005. The book is "an exploration into the historical, geographical, social, cultural and industrial aspects of a river filled with the curiosities, forgotten characters and departed ways."

I should confess to my minor role in the production of the book - I supplied Tom with some of the photographs and did the map but please don't let that put you off buying it!

Book details: http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/catalog/book.htm?command=Search&db=main.txt&eqisbndata=184605169X&id=Downstream%20by%20Tom%20Fort

Observer review: http://books.guardian.co.uk/reviews/travel/0,,2265736,00.html

Exhibition: Wheels of Fortune - the story of Raleigh Cycles of Nottingham

This exhibition draws chiefly on the archives of the Raleigh Cycle Company (now Raleigh Cycle Ltd.) held at Nottinghamshire Archives. There is also a series of lunchtime lectures associated with the exhibition.

Dates: 12 April – 3 August 2008
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 11am–4pm; Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holidays 12 noon–4pm
Location: Weston Gallery, D H Lawrence Pavilion, University Park, Nottingham
ADMISSION FREE
Further details: 0115 846 7777

>> Download the exhibition flyer

New book: Retford old and new. A new take on some old views of Retford

A fascinating collection of excellent photographs (many taken by the author, Ron Beare) comparing views of Retford from the past with the view today. Having lived in Retford in the 1970s this brings back a lot of memories.

Buy the book from Bookworm's e-Bay shop:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Bookworm-The-Retford-Bookshop

New book: Castles of Nottinghamshire

I was delighted to find James Wright's book, Castles of Nottinghamshire, at the library last week. The book provides "a synthesis of recent archaeological and historical research" and concentrates on the lesser known castles, so Nottingham and Newark castles are largely ignored in favour of Annesley, Laxton, Egmanton etc. Contents include:

• The castle's place in the landscape
• The castle's role in war and peace
• How castles have survived today
• Current historical, archaeological and architectural techniques in castle studies
• A gazetteer of all known castle sites in Nottinghamshire

Castles of Nottinghamshire is priced at £5.95 and can be bought from Nottinghamshire Archives and libraries through-out the county. It can also be purchased by post by sending a cheque for £8.95 (including £3 for postage and packaging) payable to Nottinghamshire County Council to: Libraries, Archives and Information, Communities Department, 4th Floor, County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7QP.