New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

This is a book just published. It is edited by Richard Crossley, whose family owned the Observer. It's 266pages are made up of the articles appearinbg in the Observer each Saturday under the title 'Ladies' Chain', edited by 'Stella' In the period 1901-10, 'Stella' was the editor's daughter, Florrie Crossley.

This is not juist for today's ladies. Blokes will enjoy it too, as it is local history from a different standpoint. Some will see it as 'middle class', where ladies wore gowns and not frocks. It gives a look into the past that I have not come acrioss before in any depth, as althiough I have looked at hundreds of old Observers, I have not previously read many 'Ladies' Chains'

Probably on sale in the library and the Town Hall @ £11.95. Ordered by post with an accompanying cheque, there are no postage charges; Send to
Richard Crossley, 'Woodnook' Moor Lane, Whalley BB7 9JO ([email protected])

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

I first came across the term Ladies' Chain when I was trying to find info about Bank House (where I live is the old site of BH) Still not sure of the connection, maybe Lady Higham was a member of the Ladies' Chain.

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

I don't know how the name first cropped up. With a bit of luck, Accyweb's 'First Lady' (Atarah) will know and respond.

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Ta Bob,will tell some family mug,to get it me fer xmas.:D

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Are you a masochist or what, who the ell wants to read that tripe, woman about women, giving them bright ideas. Go to library put one of the old observers into the micro viewer, and have a read, then see if you want to read the rest.

Retlaw

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

No am just interested to see if they are Dumb or Dumber back then.:dflam: but the Librarys a good idea.

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I saw a few copies floating round on ebay (new and direct from the author I think) if anyone wants to buy it online.

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Good spotting. However, do check first if they are 'post free'

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Yes they are Bob, just been to have a look.

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Think folk should try and find out what the book is about first of all before they buy. It WONT be "everybody's cup of tea".

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I ordered it on ebay yesterday. Should be here early next week then I will be able to let you know.

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

The book is now available in the Accrington Branch of WH Smith. If anyone would like to receive a pdf with a sample of some of the actual content and photographs, I would be happy to oblige. Just email me on [email protected]

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Where else? The library? the Town Hall?

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

At the moment it is available either directly from me (including my Ebay entry) or WH Smith. I have agreed to supply The Lancashire Book stall in Ossy Mills and am awaiting his order.
The Library and Accrington Town Hall are not outlets at the time of writing.

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May i suggest a copy be donated to the library, to add to the local reference section? Thankyou

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Book arrived by Royal Mail this morning, ordered on ebay the day before yesterday. If you are reading this Richard Crossley thanks for such prompt service, delivered to my partner Richard in Morecambe.

Now beware - although a paperback, this book is heavy thanks to its 200 odd pages of good quality paper (no jokes about light reading please!). There is a lot of text and the photos are quite small and incidental but on a quick flip through it looks like an interesting read, in bite size chunks thanks to being a weekly column.

As befits a feature for ladies there are quite a lot of weddings but also a great deal about the musical life of the town - which was thriving.

Just as today, there are gripes - especially about the lack of electric trams, the need for baths in Accrington, and the stink from the river.

A book to dip into and enjoy at leisure until your arms get too tired to bear the weight. Thank you Richard for putting it together. I must say I do remember Ladies Chain in the Observer when I was young (50s/60s).

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

It's not really about women, more as the title says an Edwardian lady's observations of Accrington life.

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Sorry Retlaw for being personal, but why do you haveto shout all the time? it really gets on my nerves.

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

I think it sounds quite an insightful look at Edwardian Accy. Thanks for the info Suzie.

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Spot on Groove, once again.

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

I'm not shouting, its just easier to read, in internet speak this is SHOUTING.
Any way how can something get on your nerves, nerves are the message carriers to the brain, like electric wires in your house, carrying a message to put the light on.
Is it any better for you in, or in, this colour.
Ariel Black is best for me. If you don't like it put me on your ignore list, I don't mind.
As I spend more hours than you on computers, I'll stick with whats best for my eyes, not yours.
Retlaw.

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

OK point taken, thought you would say something like that. No offence meant. But please keep to black.

Asa matter of interest what makes you think you spend longer on computers than I do? :confused:

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Researching the lives of the Accrington Pals, over 4000 men served in the 11th Battalion East Lancs,
Plus all the men from Greater Accrington who served in WW1 August 1914 to October 1919, 14400 odd of them, you try finding out where they were born, who their parents were, which school they went to, which pub they supped in who their mates were, wives, children, if they died where and when, where they are buried, any photographs of them for the displays, When I eventually get up in a morning, take my pills, read the paper having a pipe full o baccy, then switch on all the computers, check where I'm up to, and apart from meals, and a few other things, I will be at it till midnight.
Retlaw

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Come on. I've only been on here five minutes, how am I supposed to know about all that?

Wonder if you've got my grandad on your list? Below are his details from the absent voters list Accrington 1918 Absent Voters List | Cox to Dobbing

CreaseyBertie James108566Pte.M.G.C.68 Annie StreetC11383

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Sometimes it pays to read some of the other threads, to see whats been going on in the past.
As to your Grandad, his service records have not survived the blitz in the 1940's, but attached is his medal card.
Retlaw.

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

I have read lots of threads on here but obviously not the right ones!

Many thanks for the medal info. If you would like any family background data I would be happy to provide some.

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Many thanks, if you could PM me his age, name of next of kin ie wife or parents, etc, that would be great, I can see from his M.G.C. number that he would have been called up sometime in the later part of the war, probably 1917.
Retlaw

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Will do - I have all that information... somewhere!

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I have supplied 2 copies to Accrington Library.

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Nice one Observer, i shall put that on my 'to browse' list

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Believe me he does susie, I've seen how much work he's done and he ain't achieved that by sending an odd half hour on line ;)

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Yep John we've exchanged a few pm's and sorted all that out. More power to his elbow.

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Now also on sale from the Town Hall, Accrington.

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I've just finished reading this book, and I found it fascinating, one or two misprints escaped the poofreader's eye though.

Some things have improved in the last 100 years, some haven't!

I can really recommend the book to those interested in our favourite town's history and 20th century history in general.

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Pardon?? that's a classic!

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Groove thinks that was a freudian slip.

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Well spotted Sue -like you say a classic:D

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Thanks for the feedback. I did all the proofreading myself (which is probably not the best way to do it) and have spotted a few errors since publication. I believe we have already corresponded by email. If you will email me any corrections, I will correct the original document for any future edition. I am also working on an index. (Richard Crossley)

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I like a bloke who holds his hand up. I was in a similar position when I edited and published 'Accrington Observed ' ( Good title don't you think?) On the back page is a photo of the Stanley team of the late 50s. I felt something of a silly ****** when somebody pointed out that, although there were eleven players shown, there were not eleven names in the caption. I hadn't the heart to blame the co-editor, Brian Brindle, who died just before the book came out.

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Hi Richard, I've sent you a PM.

I reckon a first edition with misprints will be worth a fortune, should have asked you to sign it!

Looking forward to the next two decades' books!

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Just got the book downloaded free for my KINDLE from Amazon.......

Phil

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

I think today will be the last free download day. It was a 5 day promotion. Otherwise it will be the vast sum of £2.58p for a Kindle download. Unfortunately some of the fancier typography in the book (e.g. the drop caps at the beginning of each week's entry) did not come over as intended in the electronic version which makes the presentation a bit untidy. I will try and find a way of correcting this and upload a clean version.
Stocks of the printed book are running low. WH Smith's are down to their last copy and Ossy Mills have about half a dozen left. There are also one or two at the Town Hall.

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

Bloody Kindle. No wonder publishers are strugglng to sell books. Am delighted for Observer. I have found several entries so far ( up to 1904) which refer to ancestssosrs of some family historians I know, and POSSIBLY, one relating to my maternal Hallworths in Gt Harwood. I am finding myself skjippimng dscriptions of the ladies' dresses at dances and weddings, but there's some good background stuff on thing like trams and the baths.

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

If you don't have a kindle, you can download the official Amazon Kindle reader for PC, Mac, Iphone, Ipad or Android here.

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Hear, hear Bob. Great to hear the book is selling so well.

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"Edwardian Accrington Observed" has been re-printed and is once again available at WH Smith's in Accrington. An index of names and places has been added to the 2nd impression. I believe there may still be one or two copies of the first impression still available at the book stall in Ossy Mills.

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I congratulate Observer on this.

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Managed to get a copy of this yesterday, but hadn't been available over the last few weeks from W.H. Smith ... or maybe they kept selling out ?

Looking forward to reading it. A great look at our History and social life.

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

I left a box of 20 books with the WH Smith branch manager at the beginning of July. When I checked a couple of weeks ago the box was still behind the counter where she had put it! When I pointed this out to one of the assistants she said "Oh, we were wondering what they were." Anyway, she put some of the books on the shelves so hopefully I might sell a few more now they are on display once again. I will check tomorrow when I am in town. Thanks for the interest. Hope you enjoy the book.

Re: New Book; Edwardian Accrington Observed
 

That does not shock me at all, In fact i stopped using that shop last year cos the way it is run,leaves much to be desired.