Paul Wreyford – författare

Charles Dickens described Chelmsford as the ‘dullest’ place on earth and added that there was not a lot to see here. He was wrong. This book does not focus on what you already know about Chelmsford, but what you don’t. See the county town of Essex in a new light. Did you know Chelmsford was once close to staging the British Grand Prix, or that two churches fell down in the same year? Meet the jailer who ended up the wrong side of the bars, or marvel at Skeleton Man. You can even relive the day a bull went ‘shopping’ in the high street. Shocking, mysterious, curious and bizarre, Chelmsford has a rich history waiting to be explored.

There is nothing ‘little’ about the history of Cornwall! However, this small volume condenses that fascinating, rich history into a collection of stories and facts that will make you marvel at the events the county has witnessed. Discover Henry VIII’s plan to protect the county from invasion from Catholic Europe, the important development of tin mining on the north coast and the rise of seaside resorts all around the county. Take a journey through Cornwall’s historic struggles and celebrations or jump in to the era of your choice to discover the who, what and why of Cornish history.

Essex has certainly had its fair share of bad guys during its history. From highwaymen to smugglers, thieves to murderers, it can boast some of the country’s most notorious figures. The legendary Dick Turpin was Essex born and bred, wreaking havoc in Epping Forest. At the other end of the county, in Manningtree, the ruthless Matthew Hopkins scoured the area in search of ‘witches’ — putting to death anyone who had as much as a wart on the end of their nose. Visitors to the region have also left their mark through their acts of villainy. Even royalty — including Richard II and Henry VIII — have carried out dastardly deeds within the county’s borders, from murder to adultery. Drawing on a wide variety of historical sources, Essex Villains is a veritable who's who of the county's most notorious villains.

Who would you invite for dinner if you could choose anyone who has ever lived?A teenager – with his father acting as cook – entertains some of the most famous people in history at their suburban semi in modern-day Britain. But he finds he soon has more on his plate than spaghetti Bolognese.