Ron Brown – författare

Pictorial books such as this dedicated to the past are not only invaluable to local historians, but also of interest to anyone wishing to know more about the history of the place they live or work in, for old photographs can provide fascinating insight and a tool to compare past and present. The Hampshire town of Lee-on-the-Solent is perfect for such comparisons, for although it has only been in existence under 130 years as a coastal settlement, in that time it has lost so much: a pier, railway, swimming pool,unique entertainment complex, and a large naval base and airfield. Well-known local author Ron Brown has compiled over 230 photographs, many not previously published, to provide a nostalgic reminder of the Lee that has passed.

Explore Ontario’s rich railway heritage — from stations and hotels to train rides, bridges, water towers, and roundhouses. Rails Across Ontario will take the reader back to a time when the railway ruled the economy and the landscape.Read about historic stations, railway museums, heritage train rides, and historic bridges. Follow old rail lines along Ontario’s most popular rail trails. Find out where steam engines still puff across farm fields and where historic train coaches lead deep into the wilds of Ontario’s scenic north country. Discover long forgotten but once vital railway structures, such as roundhouses, coal docks, and water towers. Learn about regular VIA Rail routes that follow some of the province’s oldest rail lines and pass some of its most historic stations, including one that has operated continuously since 1857.

Brown celebrates the survival of our railway heritage in stations that have been saved or remain in use. Despite the "green" benefits of rail travel, Canada has lost much of its railway heritage. Across the country stations have been bulldozed and rails ripped up. Once the heart of communities large and small, stations and tracks have left little more than a gaping hole in Canada’s landscapes. This book revisits the times when railways were the country’s economic lifelines, and the station the social centre. Here was where we worked, played, listened to political speeches, or simply said goodbye to loved ones. The landscapes that grew around the station are also explored and include such forgotten features as station hotels, restaurants, gardens, and the once-common railway YMCA. Railway companies often hired the world’s leading architects to design grand station buildings that ranged in style from chateauesque to art deco. Even small-town stations and wayside shelters displayed an artistic flare and elegance. Although most have vanished, the book celebrates the survival of that heritage in stations that have been saved or remain in use. The book will appeal to anyone who has links with our rail era, or who simply appreciates the value of Canada’s built heritage.

Follow Rails to the Atlantic through eastern Canada’s railway heritage. Visit preserved railway stations in various states of use, or take in the architecture of the grand era of station building in Quebec City, Halifax, and St. John’s. Board scenic railway excursions on the Orford Express or Le Train du Massif de Charlevoix, or travel to VIA Rail's destinations in remote northern Quebec. Rail trails lead through the Laurentian mountains and Quebec’s Eastern Townships. Museums exhibit Newfoundland’s colourful railway heritage, while Canada’s largest railway equipment display lies near Montreal. Magnificent railway hotels include the Fairmont Le Château Montebello and the Algonquin Resort, as well as the stunning Chateau-style station hotel at McAdam, New Brunswick. Often forgotten are the railway bridges and trestles, stunning feats of engineering that stretch across wide valleys and churning rivers, the construction of which sometimes led to deadly consequences. Lesser-known attractions, such as roundhouses and employee housing, are profiled to help bring the railway era back to life.

Journey through the engineering marvels, stations, and heritage sites of Canada’s western mountains.Ride the rails through Canada’s western mountains to explore the many vestiges of the region’s spectacular and surprising railway heritage. Here is where grand railway hotels were built to attract tourists to the West’s beautiful scenery and bring profit to the railway lines as well. Rustic stations added to the allure. The challenges of conquering the mountains resulted in some of Canada’s most ingenious feats of engineering, such as spiral tunnels and soaring trestles (one of which was featured in The Amazing Race Canada).Relive the days of rail on a steam train, the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer, or one of VIA Rail’s mountain journeys. Outdoor enthusiasts can follow the abandoned roadbeds of Canada’s more spectacular rail trails, like the legendary Kettle Valley Railway. Also included are some of Canada’s most extensive railway museums, which have helped to bring this vanished era back to life.

Take a journey across Canada to visit our world-renowned natural and historic landmarks. With Canada's World Wonders, you'll visit Banff National Park, the first link in a vast network of natural parks and heritage sites that has grown to include Old Quebec, the Rideau Canal, and the Fortress of Louisbourg. UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in Alberta and the Gwaii Haanas totems in British Columbia, as well as such Indigenous cultural sites including the locations of ancient inuksuit, are also part of the journey.You'll travel through the world’s longest and deepest railway tunnel, cruise the Trans-Canada Highway, explore the Grosse Îsle and Pier 21 immigration memorials, tour the graves of the failed Franklin Expedition, and visit the Vimy Ridge War Memorial, all with Ron Brown’s engaging historical commentary.

Explore the vestiges of the hamlets and villages that have been swallowed up by Toronto’s relentless growth.Over the course of more than two centuries, Toronto has ballooned from a muddy collection of huts on a swampy waterfront to Canada’s largest and most diverse city. Amid (and sometimes underneath) this urban agglomeration are the remains of many small communities that once dotted the region now known as Toronto and the GTA. Before European settlers arrived, Indigenous Peoples established villages on the shore of Lake Ontario. With the arrival of the English, a host of farm hamlets, tollgate stopovers, mill towns, and, later, railway and cottage communities sprang up. Vestiges of some are still preserved, while others have disappeared forever. Some are remembered, though many have been forgotten. In Toronto’s Lost Villages, all of their stories are brought back to life.

Pubs of Portsmouth From Old Photographs offers a captivating glimpse into the history of some of Portsmouth's most famous pubs. This charming collection of photographs provides the reader with a visual representation of Portsmouth's pubs. Drawing upon an eclectic collection of photographs, Ron Brown presents the reader with an insight into the history and life of the pubs in this area. Pubs of Portsmouth From Old Photographs provides something for everyone, whether they have lived in Portsmouth all their lives, or whether they are just visiting this vibrant town. It also shows how photography has continually evolved to keep up with an ever-changing society.

The Portsmouth area was once a lively and thriving area of at least thirty palaces of pleasureA", all operating at the same time, and playing an important role in the lives of the local people. Sadly, many were lost during World War II and through subsequent building work but this book vividly brings to life, once again, the golden days of entertainment when they were affectionately known as 'Bughutches' or 'Fleapits'. Cinemas & Theatres of Portsmouth presents a lavishly illustrated selection of portraits of the work of some of Portsmouth's most famous sons and daughters. Stars such as Peter Sellers, Evie Green and Austin Melford are featured, as are visitors Harry Houdini, Sean Connery, Max Miller, Vesta Tilley, Gregory Peck, George Formby and Laurel & Hardy who all performed here. This book covers not only Portsmouth but also Cosham, Havant, Hayling, Fareham, Gosport and Lee-on-the-Solent and is sure to be of interest to anyone interested not just in local history but also the rich and varied history of entertainment in general.

A classic guide from beekeeping expert Ron Brown OBE.A charming and practical guide for anyone wishing to keep bees, accompanying the would-be beekeeper through every season of the bee-keeping year. From spring awakening and summer swarms to the autumn honey harvest and providing winter protection, this essential resource guides you each step of the way.There is extensive advice for beekeeping beginners, from siting and smoking your hives to rearing a queen and controlling your swarm. There is also in-depth information for improvers and more experienced apiarists who wish to experiment with different hive-management and queen-rearing techniques. Troubleshooting tips on protecting your hives and keeping your bees healthy are also covered. The book is also packed with practical advice on using beeswax, and of course, extracting and making the tastiest honey.

Travel across Ontario and pay a visit to Ontario’s nearly 50 heritage jails. Built before the modern era of the OPP, they range in size from single cell lockups to massive monuments such as the Kingston Pen and the Don Jail. Although Spartan inside, many are architectural wonders on the outside and have been declared heritage buildings. A few have been converted to museums and show the harsh conditions that convicts had to endure. Behind Bars also tells of the many hilarious escapes, gruesome hangings and unusual trials which made Ontario’s old jails the centre of attention.Highlights include ghost-town jails in Silver Islet and Berens River; torture devices on display at the Penitentiary Museum in Kingston, along with the "shower" and the coffin-sized "box"; the man who was executed but didn’t die; mysterious escapes; the battle over Ontario’s smallest jail; Woodstock’s death mask; love stories gone wrong; Ontario’s first terrorist attack; the worst mass murderer; and haunted jails."Noboby knows Ontario like Ron Brown."- CBC Radio