Colin Wilkinson – författare

Darlington’s history is popularly seen as the story of Quakers and railways but there is much more to the town’s past than this. From its beginnings as a Saxon settlement, it became the southern stronghold of the land of the Prince Bishops, a market town, had its own Great Fire long before London, provided inns for travellers along the Great North Road, became an industrial centre and faced the twenty-first century with a diversified economy as the old heavy industries closed. Along the way, as the town grew rapidly in the nineteenth century, it was a group of Quaker Darlington businessmen who masterminded the beginnings of Britain’s railway system in the town.This book will look back over the centuries to uncover the fascinating history of the town. Stories of the town’s rebels, reformers, activists, benefactors, heroes and campaigners, England’s first black professional football player, as well as the lives of the ordinary folk, bring the history to life, together with illustrations to show where reminders of the town’s past can still be found.Illustrated throughout, this accessible historical portrait of the transformation that Darlington has undergone through the ages will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the town.

The town of Redcar and the resort of Saltburn-by-the-Sea, with the adjoining village of Marske-by-the-Sea, lie on an 8-mile stretch of the coast in north-east England. In this book author Colin Wilkinson reveals the stories behind how these once small villages along a remote coast grew into the present-day resorts. Centuries ago, the beaches were ideal for smugglers. The arrival of the railway in the nineteenth century brought an influx of visitors and at the same time new industries emerged following the discovery of iron ore in the local hills, bringing in more people looking for work. In the twentieth century war left its mark on the area. In the First World War lookout posts were set up on the beaches, an early warning station was built to listen for Zeppelins and at Marske an aerodrome was set up nearby to train pilots. Depression in the 1930s and post-war industrial decline brought hardship to the area, but the holiday industry boomed in the first half of the twentieth century and has seen a resurgence in recent years. Over the course of the last century Redcar has seen the birth of Redcar Racecourse, motor racing along the beach, famous visitors such as Emily Pankhurst and Keir Hardy and much more.With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Redcar, Marske and Saltburn will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this corner of the coastline of the North East.

Pennine hills, unspoilt moorland, dramatic dales, picturesque villages, market towns and a magnificent coastline are all part of the scenery of County Durham. The history is equally rich, from early farming settlement, conquests, rebellion and mining to industrial development, and always present through these times have been the churches. The earliest churches in the county date from the Anglo-Saxon era and the Norman Prince Bishops of Durham instituted a new building programme, including several churches dedicated to the local saint, Cuthbert. Later events all left their mark on the county’s churches, from the Reformation and Civil War to the rise of dissenting groups such as Quakers and Methodists. Industrial development and the growth of densely populated urban areas required a new church building programme by the Victorians and in the last century the story of County Durham’s churches has continued.In Churches of County Durham, author Colin Wilkinson explores a cross-section of historical churches throughout the county, both the well known and those waiting to be discovered by a wider audience. This fascinating picture of an important part of the history of the county over the centuries will be of interest to all those who live in or are visiting this splendid area of England.

Stockton-on-Tees was a small port and market town in the north-east of England for much of its history. Shipbuilding and other industries gradually established themselves over the years, but it was with the Industrial Revolution that the town received a massive boost. The opening of the pioneering Stockton & Darlington Railway enabled coal to be transported to the port. Industries developed around the discovery of iron ore locally, as well as engineering and potteries, and the population expanded rapidly. The town was transformed by large areas of Victorian dwellings, absorbing neighbouring settlements. By the turn of the twentieth century the town was supported by a thriving market, theatres, pubs, schools, libraries, fairs, parks and churches. The depression of the interwar years and the closure of shipyards saw many lose their jobs, but the period also saw the start of the chemical industry at Billingham, which grew into a vast complex. Although today Stockton has lost much of its traditional industry, sites have been turned into business parks, attracting service industries and a university campus. The story of the town tells of heroes, inventors, business leaders, rioters as well as the lives of ordinary folk.Illustrated throughout, this accessible historical portrait of the transformation that Stockton-on-Tees has undergone through the ages will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the town.

Stockton-on-Tees was a small port and market town in the north-east of England for much of its history. Shipbuilding and other industries gradually established themselves over the years, but it was with the Industrial Revolution that the town received a massive boost. The opening of the pioneering Stockton & Darlington Railway enabled coal to be transported to the port. Industries developed around the discovery of iron ore locally, as well as engineering and potteries, and the population expanded rapidly. The town was transformed by large areas of Victorian dwellings, absorbing neighbouring settlements. By the turn of the twentieth century the town was supported by a thriving market, theatres, pubs, schools, libraries, fairs, parks and churches. The depression of the interwar years and the closure of shipyards saw many lose their jobs, but the period also saw the start of the chemical industry at Billingham, which grew into a vast complex. Although today Stockton has lost much of its traditional industry, sites have been turned into business parks, attracting service industries and a university campus. The story of the town tells of heroes, inventors, business leaders, rioters as well as the lives of ordinary folk.Illustrated throughout, this accessible historical portrait of the transformation that Stockton-on-Tees has undergone through the ages will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the town.

The history of Stockton-on-Tees can be traced from a Saxon settlement, through defences built by Norman invaders, development during the Middle Ages brought by the Prince Bishops of Durham, the growth of ports and shipbuilding yards, the pioneering railway and the emergence of an engineering industry, to the twentieth century and beyond with modern buildings highlighting the changing role of the town. Stockton-on-Tees in 50 Buildings explores the history of this town in County Durham through a selection of its most interesting buildings and structures, showing the changes that have taken place over the years, ranging from the High Street and the impressive Town House, a Georgian theatre hidden away in an old yard and the restored Art Deco Globe, to a warehouse by the River Tees, a reminder of the town’s importance as a port, the world’s first railway tavern, the salt works turned into an RSPB centre, the house used to intercept German wireless signals in the First World War the ancestral home of George Washington’s family in the borough of Stockton, and many more fascinating buildings and structures. This book will appeal to all those who live in Stockton-on-Tees or who have an interest in the area.

Crowds of visitors flock to Whitby to explore the ancient abbey, walk the narrow streets, pass Captain Cook’s home and see the replica of his ship Endeavour, but the history of Whitby is much richer, as revealed in this tour of its significant, interesting and unusual buildings. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries the Cholmley family took over much of the abbey’s lands, building a grand home and developing the port and local industries. Whitby became one of the busiest ports in the land and magnificent Georgian buildings testify to the wealth brought into the town, not least through whale hunting. Other grand buildings of this time were constructed on wealth from the elsewhere, including slave plantations in the Caribbean. The town has also preserved the more modest homes of sailors and fishermen, including charitable housing, and the continuing connection with the sea is also represented by lighthouses, the foghorn station and lifeboat stations. More recently Whitby has become a holiday destination, with Victorian and more recent hotels, cinemas and a lido built for the use of visitors and local inhabitants.Whitby in 50 Buildings explores the history of this fascinating Yorkshire coastal resort through a selection of its most interesting buildings and structures, showing the changes that have taken place over the years. The book will appeal to all those who live in Whitby or who know it well.

The increasing power of mobile communications devices has reached the point where they now act as a pocket-sized computer. With this much power, a wide range of downloadable applications, and always-available Internet access, the ability to use today’s smartphones for productivity and schoolwork has huge potential. This book examines the uses, applications, and relative strengths and weaknesses among these devices. It also reveals how mobile devices can be used to find information related to communication, research, school work, and even fun and games. The reader will discover the latest techniques for gathering information on-the-go, in the form of digital photos, text, audio, and video, using mobile devices. They will also learn how to use those same mobile devices to organize, retrieve, and relay the information they have gathered to friends, family, study partners, and teachers. The book also includes the latest guidelines for proper digital and cell phone etiquette and security, “Myths and Facts,” and “10 Great Questions to Ask an IT Specialist.”

With sophisticated graphics that rival the latest 3D Hollywood release and a complexity of narrative that equals the most elaborately imagined worlds found in fantasy novels, gaming has become big business, mass entertainment, and high art. Indeed, the gaming experience is so involving and enticing that it can pose some dangers. Repetitive motion disorders, sedentary lifestyles, computer/gaming addiction, loss of perspective, exposure to graphic violence, and even cyberbullying can all result from too much time spent sitting in front of a computer. This book celebrates the truly awe-inspiring experiences, environments, and simulations modern gaming offers as well as the cognitive and developmental benefits they convey, while also highlighting the very real dangers that arise from excessive or inappropriate play.

Allowing instantaneous communication to people anywhere in the world in 140-character bursts of inspiration, Twitter provides personal communication between friends, family, and acquaintances, is a means for celebrities to connect with their fans, and is a platform for micro-blogging, advertising, and the reporting of breaking news. Learning to use such a powerful and far-reaching form of communication efficiently and safely requires knowing the tricks, the tools, and the responsibilities involved. This book provides exactly the guidance necessary to maximize the wide-ranging utility of Twitter, while alerting readers to the dangers posed by over-sharing as well as the cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking, and flaming that micro-blogging and other forms of digital communication can foster.

Building a successful digital product requires working knowledge of the technology involved and familiarity with the competition. With new tools appearing regularly, making the job of constructing apps and websites easier, it''s possible to dive in with little experience and come out with a hit product. An overview is given of how to design, develop, and launch digital products, including mobile apps, games, websites, and blogs. Understanding the steps needed to create the product, as well as the tools and techniques used during production, will help readers move forward with confidence. The author, an expert game developer, reviews key code languages, technologies, and development approaches, using simple explanations and instructions to get the reader going. The book also covers options for monetizing a digital product, such as setting up online payment systems or supporting the product with advertising.

Making use of existing technology, digital entrepreneurs have the potential to identify new customers, quickly reach expanded markets, and increase the success of their business. Teen entrepreneurs are shown how to take their digital business to the next level by engaging their customer base, gathering valuable feedback to improve the product, and planning for further expansion. The author explains the role of live updates—adding content or fixing problems after the product has launched—in maintaining a business''s success. The importance of properly managing finances, company resources, and personnel while expanding is also emphasized.

Today''s construction industry, consisting of a wide range of careers, continues to struggle finding skilled workers to meet demand. In order to take advantage of these jobs, a candidate will need a strong understanding of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. This book presents readers with real-world examples of how math skills relevant to fifth and sixth grade Common Core Standards are used on the job in construction every day, engaging students both interested in construction and those seeking relevant applications of these skills outside of the classroom.

Privacy invasion, cyberbullying, and identity theft are vulnerabilities that young people expose themselves to every time they go online. This book explains what sorts of information might be shared, stored, and stolen when using the internet, how to protect online privacy, and what to do after falling victim to digital privacy crimes. Readers will learn about the vulnerabilities of shopping and banking digitally and about how apps can quickly lead to sharing information. The glossary will help improve reading comprehension in adherence with Common Core standards, while engaging call-outs will highlight bite-sized aspects of digital privacy that shouldn’t be missed.