Shirley Country – (The Brontes in the Spen Valley) – by Mabel Ferrett (BRM1)
Hub Publication 1973 vg 78 page soft cover illustrated by Stanley Chapman (well illustrated The Price includes UK Posting and bespoke packaging – For other postal rates to more far flung locations please contact me.
£8.00
SPEN VALLEY: Past and Present – Frank Peel
Though titled Past and Present the present to Frank was 1893, despite that if you are only going to read one book about the Spen Valley, this is it. This is the 1987 reprint by Kirklees Libraries the book is Fine and the dj very near fine 406 pages with illustrations and an index. But Mr Maynard was cleared of wrongdoing over his “higher than average” claim of £106,000 for printing and related costs since 2010. The Price includes UK Posting and bespoke packaging – For other postal rates to more far flung locations please contact me.
£40.00
Heckmondwike Old Scholars’ Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society 1928, 1931 and 1932
foldout 6 page programme for January 1928 production of “Hadden Hall”. Includes synopsis, cast and Society members and Subscribers. Plus “THE Mikado” 1931. Plus 1932 Programme for “Dorothy” Price includes UK Posting – For other postal rates to more distant locations please contact me.
£4.00
The Gate Hangs High – Mildred Coldwell
Published in 1987 by Kirklees Council an account of her growing up in the Spen Valley between the Wars. Well written illustrated by Barbara Ellis.
The Gate Hangs High – Mildred Coldwell
Published in 1987 by Kirklees Council an account of her growing up in the Spen Valley between the Wars. Well written illustrated by Barbara Ellis. A Fine Copy. Price includes UK Posting – For other postal rates to more distant locations please contact me.
£10.00
Liversedge Parish Church and its Heritage by Catherine Handley
12 page booklet 1995 no illustrations. Price includes UK Posting – For other postal rates to more distant locations please contact me.
£3.00
SPEN VALLEY a landscape of hamlets by Christopher Scargill and J Richard Lee
Published in 1986 by Yorkshire Post Newspapers. Much more than the usual “photo” collection (to be honest the photo reproduction is not the best) but Christopher and Richard have made up for that by a well written description of the Spen Valley. Price includes UK Posting – For other postal rates to more distant locations please contact me.
£10.00
A Short History of St. John’s Parish Church Cleckheaton by Rev. M G Inman 1832 – 1982
about 9″ X 6″ 20 page booklet Price includes UK Posting – For other postal rates to more distant locations please contact me.
£5.00
The Poets of the Spen Valley – Edited by Chas. F. Forshaw 1892
Published by Thornton and Pearson a good reading copy, crease on front board. Price includes UK Posting – For other postal rates to more distant locations please contact me.
£10.00
Fifty Years Journalistic Experiences and Chronicles of a Typical Industrial Area – George H Cooper
Published by John Siddall, Cleckheaton undated but around 1940 99 pages with illustrations in text. Mainly but not totally in the Spen Valley. Some illustration but mostly portraits of local dignitaries. A good reading copy. Price includes UK Posting – For other postal rates to more distant locations please contact me.
£10.00
BIG Ears in the Kingdom of Kirklees
“A jaundiced look at our Lords and Masters – Yorkshire Politicians and Bureaucrats through the eyes of Big Ears” 94 page illustrated book soft bound. Through the post to UK addresses or sometimes by bicycle if in the Spen Valley
£9.00
Churches and Chapels of Kirklees – A Ronald Bielby
Published in 1978 by Kirklees Libraries and Museum Service this 116 page book is well illustrated. This is a clean tight copy with no inscriptions. Through the post to UK destinations.
£7.50
Cleckheaton Rugby Union Football Club
20 glossy pages of photographs and facts A4 size. Through the post to UK address, or delivered by hand in the Spen Valley. £8.00
£8.00
Rail Centres: Leeds/Bradford by Stephen Batty
The Usual Ian Allen Quality 160 pages well illustrated well written and well indexed. Quality paper and quality reproduction of photographs. A fine hard back and a fine (clipped) dj Through the post to any UK destination £9.00
£9.00
I have collected books and ephemera of Spen Valley, and Yorkshire for many years. A number of these publications are difficult to find. Some I am more than reluctant to part with so I have decided to compile a reading list and to mention when I have copies for sale.
Times Past In The Spen Valley
A4 size 16 pages of snippets of Spen Valley History Posted to UK address £2.50
£3.50
The Brightest Star – A Century Tribute to Leslie Heward – born in Littletown 1897
A Century Tribute to LESLIE HEWARD b1897 d 1943 born in Littletown, Liversedge West Yorkshire 1897 – 1997 by Margaret Mitchell. A 32 page booklet published Christ Church Liversedge 1997 Price includes UK P&P
£4.00
Heckmondwike in Times Past – Margaret M Wood
Heckmondwike in Times Past – Margaret M Wood. Undated Countryside Publication 48 pages of very interesting but poor quality illustrations. £5.00 The Price below includes UK Postage
£7.00
Images of England SPEN VALLEY compiled by Norman Ellis
First printed in 2001 by Tempus 23cm X 16cm a 128 page soft cover book with two illustrations per page and accompanying text. Obviously as the images of the title are photographs the history it covers are mainly from 20th century. Though it is crammed full of photographs, many of which I have not seen in any other publications, there are copious notes that add much to the illustrations. A well put together addition to any Spen Valley collection. The Price below includes UK P&P In the shop £10.00
£12.50
A Short History of Hartshead Church by Mabel Ferrett
A 16-page booklet undated but well-illustrated with line drawings. A good very brief, but comprehensive local history start. I have a copy available for £2.50 through post to UK address £4.00
£5.00
A History of Hartshead by Mabel Ferrett (BRM1)
Printed in 1967 by Huddersfield Examiner this small (but perfectly formed) little booklet, has photographs and line drawings. Only 14 pages but covers Robin Hood, Hammond Roberson, Patrick Bronte, Luddites, Chartists and World Wars. This can be delivered by our privatised Post Office (National asset sold off for private profit) for the modest sum of £4.00 (That is the total cost not just £4.00 delivery cost)
£5.00
History of the SPEN VALLEY 1780 – 1980 – Douglas Hird
An essential book for any Spen Valley collection. Published in 1985 written by Douglas Hird who spent 25 years as a reporter in the Spen Valley. Up until being nine year old he attended Brighton Street Junior and Infants School, but moved out when his family emigrated (to Dewsbury).
The book is well illustrated and has an index. Overlaps a bit with Peel but brings us well into 20th century. Unlike Thompson, this is a very entertaining read (written by a journalist and not a Librarian, not that I have anything against librarians that is). It does have many interesting facts that you will not find elsewhere. Not as detailed as some of the SV personal memoirs, but in some way more entertaining for that.
History of SPEN VALLEY – 1780s – 1980s by Douglas Hird
Published in 1985 vg book in vg dj Price includes UK Posting – For other postal rates to more distant locations please contact me.
£27.50
SPEN VALLEY – Reading list
The SPEN VALLEY a local History by Thomas William Thompson
Published in 1925 it originally appeared in the Heckmondwike Herald in column format, the deal done was to not take payment for in cash, but the type should be used to publish a limited edition in book form. That is why the book has very wide margins.
Thompson was the Librarian in Heckmondwike Library I don’t think he had any formal training as an Historian. The book is 355 pages long and usefully has an index but no illustrations. Overfull of lists of men, in some cases with questionable merit as to the reason for inclusion. The book for the most part looks to the History of the Spen Valley through the lens of the History of England with not a great deal of real “local” content, unless you count the lists of men.
I must admit I didn’t get off to a good start when he seemed to imply that prior to the Roman Conquest the Valley was inhabited by tribes of Hunter Gatherers, he seems to have missed the Bronze and Iron age altogether. I must excuse a lot of his opinions as writing in the 20’s the “Dark Ages” were still dark. He is very skimpy on two themes that are very much of Spen Valley History, the Luddites and Chartists.
Whatever my views, if you are seriously into Local History you need to read this book. If you are building a Spen Valley Book collection you need to own one.
I currently have a copy for sale for £45
SPEN VALLEY in old picture postcards by Gillian Cookson
Published by European Library, Netherlands written Gillian Cookson in 1988 this a 8”X6” hard back is much more than it says on the tin. Yes, it is based on 76 postcards, but each is backed up by research from a highly skilled professional historian who adds commentary to each card that is readable informative and interesting.
The Brontes in the Spen Valley – Mabel Ferrett
Originally published as Shirley Country in 1973 revised in 1997 102 pages Illustrated by Stanley Chapman with an index. My irrational antipathy to the cult of the Brontes has prevented me from reading this but having read other works by Mabel I have no doubts about readability.
The Brontes in the Spen Valley – Mabel Ferret
Originally published as Shirley Country in 1973 revised in 1997 102 pages Illustrated by Stanley Chapman with an index. My irrational antipathy to the cult of the Brontes has prevented me from reading this, but having read other works by Mabel I have no doubts about readability. This copy would be fine but for the annotations (just highlighting paragraphs really) by a previous owner, because of that I am offering it at a reduced price. Price includes UK Posting – For other postal rates to more distant locations please contact me.
£8.00
Spenborough Official Handbook 1947/48
96 pages Price includes P&P for UK destinations
£9.00
Garnett – opening cleaning and carding machinery
36 page 11X8 booklet with illustrations and descriptions of machines produced in Cleckheaton by P & C Garnett Ltd. Undated but does say the firm is over 100 years old and the phone number is 3306. Mailed (or delivered) to UK locations £5.00
£5.00
Pennine Journey by William B Stocks
Being the History of the Railways, Tramways and Canals in Huddersfield and District. Printed and Published by THE ADVERTISER PRESS LTD> Huddersfield 1958. Card covers 98 pages tight clean copy no inscriptions. Posted to UK address
£7.50
Call Back Yesterday by Mavis Roberts
This book is a collection of memories of growing up in the Spen Valley (Cornmill Lane) in the 1930’s. I started reading it and read it in one sitting, not because it is short (158 pages) but because it is well written and fascinating. Delivered, or posted to any UK address
£25.00
Executioner The Chronicles of James Berry – Victorian Hangmen by Stuart P Evans
Published by Sutton Publishing in 2004, 356 pages indexed and illustrated I can despatch (no pun intended) a hardback copy to a UK address for
£12.50
The Father of the Brontë’s – His Life and Works at Dewsbury and Hartshead by W W Yates
The book is as good as new but for a few passages highlighted by a previous owner. Price includes UK Posting – For other postal rates to more distant locations please contact me.
£9.00
The pages are not numbered but there are 66 illustrations. Given how big Dewsbury is this should be the more common book but isn’t. published 1985. £7.00
Not in Heckmondwike Book Shop 