Cricklade

Price: £7.50

Diana Holmes Published 2002, ISBN 0 7509 0494 1

DESCRIPTION: Close to the Cotswolds but not of them, the small town of Cricklade has a history at least as interesting as its better known neighbours. The River Thames, which rises only a few miles upstream, was for centuries a decisive influence on the town's development. Driving the stright course of Ermin Street towards Gloucester, the Romans found Cricklade to be a convenient place to cross the floodplain, and the Saxon defenders of Alfred the Great's Wessex made it a part of their chain of fortified towns against the invading Danes.

In later years Cricklade became a "rotten borough", and the antics of parliamentary candidates, actively encouraged by a highly bribable poulace, little less than a national scandal. Bypassed today by through traffic, Cricklade offers modern visitors peace and tranquillity and, in late May, the chance to see the famed crop of fritillaries which crowd the ancient North Meadow. A twelfth–century document describes Cricklade as being "in a delighful place"; this is just as true today.

Generously illustrated with a fascinating selection of old photographs, most of which have never been published before, Cricklade will charm all those who know the town and delight its many visitors.

First published in 1993 this 92 page book remains the only book covering the history of Cricklade and has proved to be incredibly popular with both residents of Cricklade and those people who are interested in a canter through Cricklade's history.

Chapters include the beginnings of Cricklade – Romans, Saxons and Normans, the next seven centuries, Churches & Chapels, The Thames and the Canals, Roads and Commons, Cricklade's Railway, Up – and Down – the High Street, and Around and About and Near at Hand.

This book is a must for anyone interested in Cricklade's history.

POSTAGE: U.K £1.75p; Europe £2.50p; Rest of World £3.00p. This includes postage & packaging with board backed envelopes.

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