Holt an Illustrated History
The book is arranged into nine chapters, eight of which take us on a tour through the town as it was in the first three decades of the twentieth century. We have period photos depicting nearly every building in the main parts of the town, and we take time absorbing aspects of daily life particular to each; we learn about different customs, personalities and pursuits. The tour is enlivened by a series of eight charming pictorial maps, which highlight the key features along the way.
The one chapter which is not topographically based deals with the period of the First World War taken as a whole. There will be some surprises!
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As we read through the book, we get intriguing insights into everyday life in the town; we read of the butcher and baker (or Baker?), the lamplighter and the jobmaster. We learn of the joy brought by the Spout Hills and the Lowes to generations of Holt children – and of the halfpenny they could earn if they reported the Water Tower on Shirehall Plain was overflowing. The text is based on comprehensive research, and as the chapters develop, we are drawn into a lively narrative, full of unexpected detail and telling incident.
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This soft back book is printed on high quality paper ( Size 6.5 x 9.5 inches, 17 x 24 cms) and is a real gem. A book to be treasured, please buy one now, PRICE £9.95.
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Reviews
Dick Hurst An excellent book. I decided to buy a copy after seeing the photographs exhibited in Picturecraft, as they alone would be worth the price. The descriptions and memories of the people, however, bring the pictures to life in a remarkable way, so they, again are worth the price. In addition, the book is laid out in a very readable way.
Josie Read Being a native of the town, my visit to the History Project’s exhibition at Easter made a huge impact on me; I experienced a mixture of nostalgia, sadness and excitement, and I left with a sense of eager anticipation for the book’s publication. I’m not disappointed! I loved reading what the locals said, with their stories of the origins of the large houses, now mainly shops and offices. It was so fascinating, I could not put it down. I am very impressed with the whole presentation, and I cannot wait for the next volume.
Mike Blair: Most local histories nowadays are worthy and mainly only of local interest, mostly because the writing style is flat and conveys little feeling for the place. The Holt book is quite a different case; the pictures
speak of the pedigree of good research and the living atmosphere of the period comes from Keith Entwistle’s perfectly judged mix of well-written descriptions and verbatim extracts from dozens of lively interviews with stalwarts who were children of that era; they may now be old, but their evident joy of telling long-hidden tales will bring smiles to readers’ faces, readers who almost become listeners themselves. Local people may prize this book, but all the rest will be setting off on a journey of discovery.Eleanor Finn "Holt an Illustrated History" is attractively presented in a soft, but sturdy binding: there are illustrations on every one of its 200 pages – the majority of which contain evocative old photographs but also some delightful maps and illustrations by Geraldine Frances. This is a detailed study of Holt between 1900 & 1930 which (through the indefatigable efforts of the Holt History Project) has been able to draw on the memories of long-established Holt residents. However this is not a loosely put-together patchwork. Keith Entwistle has contrived a coherent structure which takes into account the geography of the town as well as the chronology. His narrative draws the reader seamlessly into a world we have lost but one that is well-remembered by some. I could not put it down and am delighted to note that this is only Volume I!
Bridget Cuthbert What a cracker of a book! I am of course referring to HOLT, an Illustrated History, Volume1 1900-1920s. The sepia photographs, flowing text & delightful line drawings all give a very evocative picture of Holt’s past as the reader wanders street by street through the town. I couldn’t put the book down. Let’s have Volume 2 soon!
