Launch of new book by Fathom Writers’ Press
What could be the final book in a fascinating series on the history of Barton upon Humber has just been launched.
The book, The Railway Comes to Barton on Humber: 1844 – 1914 has been written by railway enthusiast and historian Anthony Berridge and edited by fellow historian Geoff Bryant.
Speaking at the launch, held at The Ropery Coffee Shop, Mr Berridge reminisced that it was many years ago since he was first approached to write a book on the coming of the railway to Barton.
“At last it is published despite a loss of data and subsequent distress,” he went on.
“In writing this book it was difficult to know what to put in and difficult to know when to stop,” Mr Berridge revealed. “But the book runs from five years before the beginning of the railway in 1849 and I stopped at the start of the Great War in 1914.
Mr Bryant recalled how Barton’s rich vein of books on its history came into being.
“It was in 1960 when the local WEA tutor Rex Russell published his first book “Schools and Education in Barton. He brought out books about every other year and at the end had published well over 100 books about Barton,” he said.
Between 1970 and 2008 Mr Bryant, Mr Russell, and local wildlife expert and artist Miles Hopper published more literature through the auspices of the WEA.
“Included in that was, in 1994, “The Early History of Barton upon Humber” from the year dot to 1986 and at the time thought that would be that,” Mr Bryant recalled. “Then I thought why finish in 1086?”
“Myself and a few others, historians and others interested in local history gathered in my house one night in 2001 and decided that we would carry on from 1086 – and we thought it would all go in one book but it soon became clear we needed more than one book and so nine titles were drawn up and eight of those nine titles are now in publication . Medieval Barton is still outstanding.”
The WEA produced the first five books to be published in the series and when it ceased to publish such publications in its name, Liz Bennet of The Ropewalk stepped in and further books were published under the auspices of Fathom Writers Press.
More publications followed in 2009, 2011, followed by Mr Berridge’s book.
“I think there is more history of Barton to be written although this book is the last one I shall edit. We have hardly touched on industry or farming, “Mr Bryant continued.
The book is available to buy from The Ropewalk, Wilderspin National School and 8 Queen Street, all in Barton, and costs just £9.
