| Grimsargh |
| "Grimsargh": The Story of a Lancashire Village - David Hindle |
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It is probably safe to say that the village of Grimsargh (five miles to the east of Preston, Lancashire) has never had its history told as comprehensively as in this carefully written book. The task of researching and writing such a detailed history was a huge one and the author was fired by his fascination of his local area and inspired in part by the much loved Grimsargh resident, Nellie Carbis.
One reviewer said of this book. “It’s not often I get a book in my hands which I can confidently predict will become a local classic. This ultra well-produced hardback biography of Grimsaregh is undoubtedly in that rare category.’ Few stones are left unturned in this excellent local history that includes two chapters on the history of three generations of the Cross family and Red Scar Mansion where the family resided and William Cross was the local squire. Appropriate acknowledgements are given to who has researched the history of the family and of course, Winckley Square, Preston, in her book, ‘The History of Winckley Square'. The story starts in the Bronze Age and the author goes on to describe how the settlement changed and developed with the Roman invasions and Viking raids. He tells of the village’s Scandinavian origins, going on to look at life in the Medieval period, when Grimsargh earned its place in the Domesday Book. The village grew and altered in the Middle Ages and for a single day in the middle of the 17th century took pride of place at the very centre of English history, when Oliver Cromwell’s Roundhead Army passed through on its way to defeat the massed Royalist armies under the Duke of Hamilton at the Battle of Preston, on the 17th August, 1648. The author goes on to describe in vivid detail the development of Grimsargh right up to the present day. This encyclopaedic book even includes a historical review of the natural history of the Grimsargh area. There is a special treat for lover of steam nostalgia with a chapter devoted to Grimsargh’s unique railway history. The small village once had two stations and one of these served the unique Whittingham Hospital Railway, hence the title of the chapter ‘Grimsargh Junction: Change here for Whittingham’. David Hindle tells the people’s story in a vibrant and affectionate manner. The book is marvellously illustrated with photographs and maps, many published here for the first time. |
| Acknowledgement |
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This synopsis of the book "Grimsargh": The Story of a Lancashire Village, by Davide Hindle is reproduced with the permission of the author and publishers. A fuller version will be reproduced in the near future.
Carnegie Publishing |