[Retlaw]

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

In 1925-7, a series of 100 weekly articles appeared in the Observer under the heading of 'Accrington A Century Ago' They were written by the editor, Richard Crossley, and his pal, historian/author Richard Ainsworth and covered many topics, mentioned many people and visited many places in the town and the outlying district. Some years ago, Robert Cunliffe, descended from Accrington stock and then living in the town, typed them out and stored them on his computer. He has now published them in book form and added some photos. It is a 300-page paperback which (hopefully) will soon be on sale in the library and is now in the tourism office in the town hall, as well as in Pam's Book End shop in Gt Harwood and at Robert's 'Silver Lining' gift stall in Blackburn Market.

It is my opinion that this is the best book on the general history of the town to be published in the last 80years. It doesn't have an index, but the contents page gives a good indication of the contents of each 'chapter'. It covers (approx.) 1814-1914.

Details from Robert :- [email protected] The book should be getting a mention in the Observer and Telegraph very soon.

Higher Dobbo.
Just seen this thread about Acc a century ago. I copied a few articles from those Observers yonks ago, and started checking some of those stories and tales, you wouldn't believe the errors when checked against the census returns, and historical documents, which you know I have quite a few. Typical of some of them articles, why let the truth get in the way of a good story, especiually Ainsworth's writings, and more so his Old Homesteads he even contradicts him self several time in that, and I've never found any documentation down at Kew Record Office, to verify any of those old homestead tales, and he really drops some clangers when he gets to th Alma Inn.