Jon Sparks – författare

An easy-to-use pocket-book format, Off-Road Rides gives a series of expertlychosen cycle routes, featuring delightful tracks and trails in and around the LakeDistrict National Park.With Ordnance Survey mapping, clear route directions and professionalphotography throughout, this little guide book presents some of the mostenjoyable riding in the district, suitable for a wide range of riders (and bikes!).Featured rides include: Askham Fell and Ullswater; Blawith and SubberthwaiteCommon; The Cartmel Valley; Coniston and Tilberthwaite; Crosby Ravensworth Fell;Lorton and Loweswater; A Loughrigg Circuit; Staveley and Kentmere; The SecretSouth; Windermere and Hawkshead.

The town of Lancaster has long been a centre for culture, education and commerce. The Romans had a permanent settlement on the same hill as Lancaster Castle sits today. The name of the town is derived from the River Lune and caster, the Old English word for fort. In later years Lancaster developed unique ties to the British monarchy. The House of Lancaster became a branch of the royal family after being embroiled in the Wars of the Roses with the House of York. Although Lancaster has lost many treasures, there are some fine examples of change which marries the best of the old with the best of the new, such as the White Cross Mills site. St George's Quay probably looks better than at any time in its history, and there's more to come on the freshly cleared site just west of Carlisle Bridge. Lancaster has suffered some tragic losses, but it is still a graceful and humane city; it is a place to cherish, and many people do.

From the famous castle to St George’s Quay, Jon Sparks takes us on a tour of Lancaster, explaining the history behind the well-known landmarks of this historic town. Lancaster has lost a few treasures over the centuries since its foundations as a Roman settlement, yet it has retained much of its cultural charm, with sympathetic restoration of the quay and new architectural projects. Today, some areas are totally recognisable, but many beloved features have remained unchallenged and unchanged.

The historic county of Lancashire has a great diversity of beautiful landscapes. Award-winning local photographer Jon Sparks has captured the county’s essence in this collection of stunning images. Bordered on the west by vast seascapes and long sandy beaches and to the east by the imposing Pennine range, the county offers green valleys and heather-clad moors, lonely fells and meandering rivers. From the unspoiled beauty of the Forest of Bowland to the dramatic limestone pavements around Silverdale, this book has it covered. For its proud inhabitants, long-term visitors and even casual tourists, Lancashire in Photographs is a must. Scan through these photographs and you’ll quickly see why this county has such enduring appeal.

Manchester and Salford boast an extraordinary historical legacy. In particular, nowhere has a better claim to be regarded as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The area played a pioneering role in transport history, with the Bridgewater Canal and one terminus of the world’s first fully fledged passenger railway. It saw the collaboration of Marx and Engels, the birth of what became the Suffragette movement and the groundwork for the computer revolution. More recently Manchester saw the discovery of graphene – a form of carbon. All this and much more is reflected in the two cities’ rich heritage of great architecture and urban landscapes. Much of this heritage and many of the important buildings are from the nineteenth century onwards, but there are remains dating back to Roman times.This book of exceptional photographs reflects the area through the lens of award-winning photographer Jon Sparks. Here are the contrasting scenes and buildings, old and new, that define the essence, identity and vibrant spirit of Manchester and Salford. From industry to sport, leisure to worship, culture to transport and listed buildings to modern skyscrapers, this is a stunning portrait of two eternally fascinating cities.