Gerald Gosling

East Devon is truly 'England's green and pleasant land'. Between the River Exe in the west and the River Axe in the east lies a patchwork quilt of wood and pasture, dotted with villages, hamlets and scattered farms that have existed since before Domesday. In Exe to Axe Devonian Gerald Gosling takes the reader on a journey, illustrated with rare and atmospheric old photographs, through one of this country's most charming and still unspoilt corners, by way of farms adn ancient churches, along hidden lanes and past gentle rivers, all characteristic elements of this distinctive place. Not forgotten are the bustling seaside resorts, such as Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth and Seaton, or the people themselves, including cider makers and carpet manufacturers. The author's knowledge and enthusiasm for his home county are evident in this entertaining tour through the region between Exe and Axe, a journey of discovery that will be if interest to resident and tourist alike.

Since the development of photography in the middle of nineteenth century, the picture of our pasts provided by the written chronicle, the museum artefact or by failing memory has been augmented by the most vivid and immediate relic of former times, the photograph. Authenticating even as it describes, the photograph is of its time in a way that other representations of the past are not. This photographic portrait of a period at once familiar and remote illustrates the heyday of the English Riviera - when one of the country's most scenic railways brought visitors by the thousand for sun, sea and sand - in two of its most popular towns. United by the sea and having some of Devon's finest countryside as their common backdrop, each town retains the distinctive character acquired when these pictures were taken: Dawlish quieter, and proud possessor of a stately air that not even Torquay or Sidmouth can match: Teignmouth a bustling port. Comprising the work of both professional and gifted amateurs, this fascinating selection draws on a number of private collections and features largely unpublished material. For those who can still remember, it offers a trip down memory lane; for others, and for the area's numerous visitors, a voyage of discovery and surprise.

Each title contains around 200 images, ranging in date from the very beginnings of photography up until the 1980s and '90s, accompanied by informative captions describing the scenes pictured and containing information about contemporary life. Often focusing on people as much as places, they are ideal for long-time residents of the cities, towns and villages in the series, as well as those who have moved away or newcomers seeking an appreciation of local heritage. Compact and affordable, there are already nearly 200 "Pocket Images" titles available, with a similar number planned for the near future. Covering the whole of British Isles, they add a new dimension to NPI Media Group's diverse range of local history publications.

From Exe to Axe.

A pictorial history of Ottery St Mary through a series of old and rare photographs and images, this book is complete with historical captions.

Presents a pictorial history of Budleigh Salterton and Raleigh Country through a series of photographs and images. This work features historical captions.

Sidmouth is one of England's loveliest seaside towns. Including historical captions, this book offers a pictorial history of Sidmouth using a series of old and rare photographs and images. With its emphasis on those whose lives have been spent in this corner of East Devon, it covers an area bounded by Newton Poppleford, Sidbury and Branscombe.

Reminding us of the people and events that have made our communities what they are today.

A pictorial history of Chard, in Somerset, detailing how the area has changed over the last hundred years. This book contains photographs and postcards that are complimented by detailed captions.

To the modern visitor Honiton is remarkable for the handsome High Street flanked by fine Georgian buildings, but there is much more to this town than its Georgian past. The arrow-straight High Street was once the Roman road from Dorchester to Exeter, before colonisation followed the Battle of Beandum in 614 AD. Much of the town's lively past has survived in the shape of its many interesting buildings, including St Michael's church on the hill and Copper Castle. The images, which comprise this fascinating selection, bring to life the Honiton of old, and underline the extent to which time has overtaken the ancient settlement.

A pictorial history of Honiton, in Devon, recording the changes in the area over the last hundred years. This book contains old photographs and postcards that are complimented by detailed captions.

This is a collection of archive images accompanied by captions.

A history of Chard, Crewkerne & Ilminster

Bridport, in the ninth century, centred around St Mary’s Church, and was home to one of four Dorset mints. Its medieval prosperity was largely based on rope making, nets and sailcloths; King John ordered the sheriff to make 'night and day, as many ropes for ships both large and small as they could ...' The industry survives, even making nets for Wimbledon and Wembley. "... such images is a compelling journey brought to life by Bridport Past ..." Bridport & Lyme Regis News