Dave Cheesley – författare

In this intriguing selection of archive images the areas of St George, Redfield and Whitehall have been evocatively recreated using over 200 photographs, postcards and engravings which illustrate the diverse history of this east Bristol district. From the time of the Norman Conquest this area has seen great social and architectural development. The Forest of Kingswood provided a rich ground for hunting which in turn gave way to farming and mining; an activity that was to significantly shape the area during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The workhouses, municipal buildings and shops are placed alongside images of Sunday school parades and Methodist chapels to create a wonderful representation of community life of the past. St George, Redfield and Whitehall draws on the collections of many private individuals who have traced the development of this vibrant area of Bristol over the years. It is a valuable pictorial history for those who live in the area now and for those who want to revisit these communities as they used to be.

Within these covers are over 200 old photographs concerning the history of transport in Bristol. Many of these pictures are rare and come from the author's private collection, which has been painstakingly built up over more than three decades. The pictures are supported with expertly written captions, all of which contain a wealth of detail.This eclectic collection contains images of both private and commercial vehicles, including examples from the days of horse- drawn transport, trains, steam-powered road vehicles, trams, buses, charabancs, coaches, cars, lorries and bikes. Anyone who is familiar with Bristol and its past will recognise vehicles belonging to great local names, amongst them Fry's, George's, Greyhound, Midland and Great Western.This book is essential reading for both dedicated transport enthusiasts and nostalgic Bristolians. It will appeal to anyone who has an interest in road or rail transport as well as those who remember, or are curious, about the way Bristol used to be.