North Meols :: History :: Find us :: Conservation Area :: Maps
Books about the North Meols area
CROSSENS - Southport’s Cinderella Suburb
by Harry Foster
ISBN 0-9510905-6-9 | © 2002
Crossens tells the story of how a relatively prosperous detached agricultural
settlement with monastic links became an out-of-town out-of-sight
dormitory for Southport’s poorest paid labourers. Backed
by the landowner, the village was transformed by an energetic,
socially-active vicar.
The text
is supported by over 112 illustrations, many of which have not
been published before.
This limited
edition edition is the Birkdale and Ainsdale Historical Research
Society’s ninth publication, and follows a run of popular
best-selling titles. Many of the earlier volumes are now out of
print and much sought after by collectors.
Harry Foster
himself is a much respected local historian who has written many
books on the history of Southport and the surrounding area. He
is a very popular guest speaker at the meetings of many local
organisations.
“Crossens”
is available from the publishers, Birkdale and Ainsdale Historical
Research Society, 20 Blundell Drive, Birkdale, Southport, PR8
4RG, priced £16.95 (plus £2.45 P&P in the UK -
other areas by arrangement), or from local bookshops and libraries.
Find out more at www.harrop.co.uk/bandahrs
Churchtown in Camera
Early photographs including Marshside and Crossens
by Andrew Farthing
ISBN 1-874516-06-5 | © 1999
A local collection
published by Sefton Council Leisure Service Department as part
of a series which includes Crosby in Camera and Seaforth in Camera.
The book
contains fifty pictures of old Churchtown, Crossens and Marshside,
many from the post war period when Churchtown was relatively isolated
from Southport.
This wonderful
collection of photographs and drawings provides and unique insight
to life in this historic village. Amongst the rare gems are pictures
of local businesses, the fishermenrsquo;s strike of 1913, the
Vulcan Motor Company, Crossens Station (yes, it did have one!),
Crossens Festival, and children at the Churchtown National School.
An excellent
and well researched reference for anyone in finding out more about
the North Meols area.
Review by David Proffitt
North Meols and Southport - a History
by Peter Aughton
ISBN 0-948789-17-4 | Published by Carnegie Press © 1988
Peter Aughtonrsquo;s
book is the most comprehensive history of the area that I have
ever read, stretching from pre-Saxon settlement to the mid-1980s.
The book well written and easy to read, the text illustrated throughout
with a fascinating selection of photographs, maps and drawings.
Although
much of the book deals with the growth of the town of Southport,
it contains a great deal of information for those interested in
North Meols. The book contains many interesting extracts, including
the Poll Tax returns of 1381, and some very interesting maps of
the area, including a section from Henry Bankesrsquo; 1736 survey
of North Meols.
Also included
are a selection of family trees (including Aughton, Coudray, Hesketh,
Sutton and Blundell) and information on local place names.
Coming as
he does from a long established local family, Peter Aughton’s
book contains a great deal of interesting and accurate information.
A must for anyone who really wants to know the history of Southport
and North Meols.
Review by David Proffitt
Southport A Century Ago
by Geoff Wright
ISBN 1-872895-10-7 | Published by Landay Publishing 1992
One of a
series of books covering towns such as Blackburn, Bolton, Chorley
and Blackpool, this book is, in part, a reprint of a book first
published in 1889 by the Historical Publishing Company. Local
historian Geoff Wright added a more detailed history of Southport
which includes a brief reference to the original settlement of
North Meols.
The book
also contains a reprint of an 1889 trades directory, a selection
of early pictures of the resort, an extract from the 1899 telephone
directory, a tramway timetable and extracts from local newspapers.
A fascinating
insight into Victorian Southport.
Review by David Proffitt
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