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Heart of Albion
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Books, booklets and CD-ROMs on local history
Bedfordshire
How to Write and Publish Local and Family History Successfully
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SURREY
SURREY PLACE-NAMES
Every village or town has a name. We use them every day, even though most were created at least 1,300 years ago. Yet, until now, we knew little about how these names were given and even less about the people who originally used them.
The innovative research in Surrey Place-names brings to life this little-known era of the past, the so-called 'Dark Ages' when Britons and Anglo-Saxon peoples coexisted and arrangements for administering the land evolved. Gavin Smith shows that geography is key to understanding these arrangements as river crossings, soil types and the need for trade at recognised places are all important. His work reveals that many parishes reflect patterns established in the Iron Age.
There were many influences on the naming of Surrey's places: early paganism, multicultural mixing, economic development, land management, ecclesiastical history, regional politics, the influence of London, and a gradual shift from Celtic to the Old English language. Surrey Place-names unravels these influences for the first time and reveals hitherto unknown aspects of the county's history.
Gavin Smith was born and brought up in Surrey. He is a geographer by training and a long-standing member of the Surrey Archaeological Society and the Surrey Wildlife
Trust.
'This book is a very absorbing read indeed.'
ISBN 978 1872 883 847. 2005.
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NOTTINGHAMSHIRE/BEDFORDSHIRE
GLAD FOR GOD
Glad for God is the history of the Bousfield families of Newark
and Bedford from the late eighteenth century to the beginning of
the twentieth. It first traces the origins of the Newark families they
married into and then tells the story of two brothers, Edward and
Thomas Bousfield, and their descendants. Charting their triumphs
and disasters, their loves and losses, their jobs and good works
reveals how some of these descendants found a new religious
ideal which transformed their lives, while others stayed with the
faith of their fathers.
As the years passed, their differing beliefs and lifestyles led to a
widening gap between the two families. In Newark one family
remained Anglican and became publicans. The other converted to
Methodism, moved to Bedford and became energetic Temperance
campaigners. By the early twentieth century all contact between
the two had been lost.
Glad for God includes an account of the career of Edward Tenney Bousfield.
During 45 years working for J. & F. Howard of Bedford, he was at the
forefront of the development of agricultural equipment internationally,
making major though unacknowledged contributions in many areas including
both steam ploughing and sheaf-binding reapers.
This is the story of nineteenth century England in microcosm,
showing how the lives of both ordinary and extraordinary people
were fundamentally reshaped by the new society that emerged and
by the new opportunities and new beliefs that helped to form it.
ISBN 978 1872 883 724. 2003.
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SOMERSET
HUNKY PUNKS
High up on the famous church towers of Somerset, almost lost to the eye except for their silhouettes, are an amazing series of grotesque stone figures. Carved in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, to ornament corners and break up straight sections of masonry, these figures are known in some rural areas at hunky punks.
This book combines a fascinating historical and architectural study with a stunning collection of photographs. Peter Poyntz-Wright's research provides the first thorough account of the hunky punks and gives us a direct insight into the medieval mind. He examines the techniques and influences of the medieval masons, and considers methods of attachment and the effects of weathering.
The author has recorded a host of hitherto unknown and inaccessible medieval carvings the first time – and possibly for the last. They include such creatures as dragons, griffins, hounds, stags, heraldic creatures, a basilisk, the devil, a woman in childhood, and many others. However many of the hunk punks are suffering seriously from the effects of wearing, and some, without costly restoration, may not survive for many more years.
ISBN 978 1872 883 755. 2004.
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WARWICKSHIRE
LOW SEAMS AND HIGH VISTAS A wonderful first-hand account of this north Warwickshire village and its coal mines from an author who lived and worked there for 80 years. Illustrated with the author's attractive drawings which recreate lost buildings and village scenes.
ISBN 978 1872 883 267. 1994, A5, 130 pages, 50 illustrations, tinted paper, paperback.
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last few copies! |
STAFFORDSHIRE
DRAYTON MANOR AND VILLAGE Detailed account of a village and its famous family.
ISBN 978 1872 883 07 6. 1991, A5, 138 pages, illustrated, paperback.
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LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND
GARGOYLE HUNTING GUIDE
Bob Trubshaw
A concise introduction to medieval carvings prepared for a gargoyles workshop in March 2008.
Based on two articles: 'Mawming and mooning: the minds of medieval masons', Leicestershire Historian No.43 2007 and 'Gurning and tongue poking: an insight in the minds of medieval masons', Church Building No.94 2005, with the addition of a short section on 'How to hunt gargoyles' and 'What to do in the event of a successful gargoyle hunt'.
ISBN 978-1-905646-12-8. 2008.
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GHOSTS AND HAUNTINGS IN AND AROUND LEICESTERSHIRE
Andrew James Wright
A white lady who waits at a bus stop by the ruins of a nunnery, but vanishes when the bus stops. A coach drawn through Bradgate Park by four black, headless horses. Factories on Frog Island that have been exorcised. 'Ordinary' houses with inexplicable sounds of chains rattling and doors slamming. A multitude of pubs and rectories with supernatural 'residents'.
Leicestershire has a wealth of tales of ghosts, hauntings, poltergeists and other anomalous events. In Ghosts and Hauntings in and around Leicestershire the experienced paranormal researcher Andrew James Wright recounts these reports and attempts to understand what is really going on.
Andrew James Wright was born in Leicester in 1955. His previous publications include The Ghosts of Braunstone Hall, The Lively Ghosts of Leicestershire and Haunted Leicester. An active ghost researcher for 30 years, although these days he prefers lecturing about the subject.
ISBN 978 1872 883 991. 2006.
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IN MY FASHION
Starting work in the heyday of Leicester's knitwear factories
Mary Essinger
Winner of the Leicester Writers Club Trude Dub Award for Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2005
Jenny Stephens, BBC Radio Drama Producer
Generations of women toiled in Leicester's hosiery factories. This is the story of one of them, a school leaver who started work cutting cotton vests for the Cherub factory in 1949, then went on to work in a dress factory and progressed to the design office.
Highlights in her life at this time included Saturday nights at the Palais wearing Max Factor makeup, weekends hiking to youth hostels, and listening to talk about sex. They are all described with matter of fact humour and innocence.
But this story is not just about one person's factory life – it's about everyone who gets a job, grows up and tries to figure everything out.
ISBN 978 1872 883 793. September 2005.
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2nd edition |
INTERACTIVE LITTLE-KNOWN LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND 2nd edition
A vast compendium of information on little-known aspects of the counties – such as holy wells, medieval carvings and crosses, standing stones, castles, moated sites, windmills and much else!
This CD-ROM contains information on over 250 places, with about 600 photographs and illustrations. All cross-references hyperlinked, with introductions to various obscure topics.
Changes for the second edition include:
Reviews of first edition of Interactive Little-known Leicestershire and Rutland
Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux OS. Requires Flash-enabled Internet browser software (such as Internet Explorer 5 or 6) to view. All very computer- and user-friendly!
ISBN 978 1872 883 823. September 2005.
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LEICESTERSHIRE LEGENDS
retold by Black Annis
'Let's you and I get a thing or two straight. The name's Black Annis, but you may call me 'Cat Anna' between yourselves – but not to my face, if you value the appearance of yours. There've been days when the aches and pains make me a bit awkward at times, I'll admit as much myself. I've been known to get a bit upset when silly little kids used to play around outside my cave and shout rude remarks like me being an old witch.'
But is she or isn't she? Just an old woman with an attitude problem or actually more of a witch? Herself one of Leicester's best-known legends, Black Annis never quite lets on if she really knows more than she is prepared to say about the Old Ways. But in her direct manner, and with a bit of help from some of her friends, she retells some of the tales of Leicestershire in a way they've never been heard before, with local phrases and dialect rather than written out all posh.
Phantom black hounds, weird goings on where saints were murdered, very odd ways of finding water, pipers who enter underground tunnels and are never seen again, stories about stones, strange lights in the sky, and any number of ghosts – it's all happened in Leicestershire and much more besides, at least if these legends are to be believed.
Black Annis's engaging way of telling of these Leicestershire legends will appeal to all ages and especially to those who think they've heard all this old stuff before.
Specially illustrated by Jenny Clarke, one of Britain's leading tattoo designers.
'I really enjoyed reading this collection. The stories are so well told and the printing is so well done that you can feel you are actually there listening to conversations about ghosts, UFOs, old Leicestershire witch trials, phantom hounds, silent sentinels, and so much more. There's just enough of local dialect to add to the reality... Highly recommended.'
'... a rattling good read... '
'Although seemingly light-hearted with its glorious cover art, whimsical storytelling manner and presentation as the ramblings of an old witch, Leicestershire Legends has the same serious intent as the other books produced by Heart of Albion Press. Whilst the form may belie it, the content is an important work recording both local lore and its likely interpretation... all told in marvellous prose.'
'A bit of fun, and a good selection of local curiosities... '
ISBN 978 1872 883 779. 2004.
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GOOD GARGOYLE GUIDE
Grimacing gargoyles adorn many of the churches in Leicestershire and Rutland. Alongside them are a wide range of imaginary beasties, foliate faces and Green Men, face-pulling heads, contortionists, and other imaginative figurative carvings. While those on the outside of the churches may be badly weathered, their counterparts inside are usually near-perfect examples of the medieval mason's skills.
Leicestershire and Rutland is fortunate in having more such carvings than in adjoining counties, although this wealth of medieval art has been unjustly overlooked by church historians. These depictions provide a unique insight into the often rather disturbing thinking of the craftsmen who carved them many hundreds of years ago, people who are otherwise almost entirely invisible from historical records.
The aim of the Good Gargoyle Guide is to encourage people who would not normally take an interest in church architecture to get out and about hunting further examples of these extraordinary sculptures.
ISBN 978 1872 883 700. 2004.
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UNDERSTANDING LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND PLACE-NAMES
We take for granted the names we use for places. Yet these names are a valuable part of our cultural heritage, providing a detailed insight into the early history of the region. Place-names reveal the otherwise lost voices of our forebears who settled here.
Understanding Leicestershire and Rutland Place-Names analyses the whole range of place-names which occur in Leicestershire and Rutland, most of which were coined between 1,000 and 1,500 years ago. These place-names describe, often in fine detail, the landscape, geology, rivers, buildings, flora, fauna, boundaries, meeting places, roads and track-ways. This book also looks at the distribution of the names, the languages from which they are derived, the successive waves of conquerors and migrants who fought and settled here, and the society they created.
is an historian, archaeologist and museum professional who has specialised in the area of place-name studies and landscape history for over 20 years.
'... this will surely be the standard reference work on its subject for many years to come.'
'... a useful little handbook... '
ISBN 978 1872 883 717. 2003.
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RUTLAND VILLAGE BY VILLAGE A guide to the history of all the villages in Rutland, with the emphasis on places that can be seen or visited. Based on the author's sixteen years of research into the little-known aspects of the county.
Bob Trubshaw's Heart of Albion Press has made a significant contribution to local history publishing in the East Midlands and this latest offering maintains the publisher's reputation for informative books, attractively produced and, importantly, at an affordable price. This A to Z account of the villages of Rutland – a county unsurpassed, in the words of W.G. Hoskins, for its 'unspoiled, quiet charm' – is both readable and very easy to use. Introductory material includes a short outline of Rutland's history and a brief glossary: very useful if you need to check the meaning of architectural terms...
ISBN 978 1872 883 694. 2003.
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CD-ROM |
A VIRTUAL WALK AROUND LEICESTER
A massive collection of interesting historical information about the city centre.
Contents include:
Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux OS. All very computer and user friendly!
ISBN 978 1872 883 748. Published by Heart of Albion 2004. Previously published by Tomax Publications.
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CD-ROM |
SEPULCHRAL EFFIGIES OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND
The first comprehensive study of the sepulchral effigies of Leicestershire and Rutland. Over 500 full-colour photographs of about 177 effigies in 85 churches, with full descriptions of the effigies and biographical information about those depicted.
There is a wealth of superb effigies in the counties and this CD-ROM is the first publication to catalogue, describe and illustrate them all.
Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux OS. All very computer and user friendly!
ISBN 978 1872 883 540. 2002.
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CD-ROM |
INTERACTIVE GARGOYLES AND GROTESQUE CARVINGS OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND Aimed at people who want masses of photographs (over 280!) of Green Men, tongue pokers, 'girning' faces, dragons and all sorts of other gargoyles and grotesques, this CD-ROM takes relevant images and text from the Interactive Little-known Leicestershire and Rutland CD-ROM (see above) and presents it in an easy-to-access format (but still with relevant introductions and background information).
Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux OS. Requires Flash-enabled Internet browser software (such as Internet Explorer 5 or 6) to view. All very computer and user friendly!
ISBN 978 1872 883 571. 2002.
Retail price £11.75 (incl. VAT). Mail order customers save 17.5% (because Heart of Albion is not VAT registered) = £10.00.
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On four CD-ROMs |
THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE COUNTY OF LEICESTER
Published between 1795 and 1811, this ambitious antiquarian survey of Leicestershire has long been difficult to obtain. These CD-ROMs contain all the pages of the original editions as high resolution scans.
Published on four CD-ROMs:
Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux OS. All very computer and user friendly!
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CD-ROM |
THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE COUNTY OF RUTLAND
A pioneering antiquarian survey first published in 1684. This CD-ROM contains high resolution scans of all the text and illustrations.
Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux OS. All very computer and user friendly!
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CD-ROM |
RECORDS OF THE BOROUGH OF LEICESTER
A series of extracts form the Archives of the Corporation of Leicester 1103–1603.
Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux OS. All very computer and user friendly!
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MUSICAL LEICESTER
There was an amazing diversity of music-making in Leicester during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, involving many nationally and internationally renowned performers. Musical Leicester describes the evolution of such diverse forms of music-making as 'classical' music concerts, minstrel troupes, oratorios, local orchestras, brass bands, bell ringing, organists and church choirs.
Many notable citizens contributed their energy and enthusiasm to the growth and success of music-making in Leicester, although almost all of them are now unjustly forgotten.
Max Wade-Matthews' research reveals many aspects of Leicester's history that would otherwise have remained overlooked. The detailed information on the concerts, musicians, promoters and venues, combined with a lively style of writing, ensures that Musical Leicester will inform and entertain all those interested in music making, social history and local history.
Undoubtedly this will be of immense value to anyone interested in the cultural development of the modern city as it is a mine of information about all sorts of musical activities that have long been forgotten and of some that are still going strong today... Altogether this book is a treasure house of musical history – highly recommended.
ISBN 978 1872 883 519. Published 1998. A5, 253 pages, 43 b&w photos, 58 line drawings, full colour laminated cover, paperback.
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LITTLE-KNOWN LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND Drawing upon nearly ten years of research into the holy wells, standing stones, medieval carvings and crosses of the county, this book gives 12 circular bicycle or car routes around unspoiled countryside. Introductory chapters are provided for those less familiar with these topics.
ISBN 978 1872 883 403. Published 1995, A5, 128 pages, 9 photos, 14 maps, 49 drawings, paperback.
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CINEMA IN LEICESTER 1896–1931
Thorough research into the early cinemas of the city; fully illustrated.
An enormously detailed and extensively illustrated survey of cinema in Leicester from the earliest times... Meticulously researched... destined to become the definitive work on the subject. It is also an enjoyable and entertaining read...
ISBN 978 1872 883 205. Published 1993, A5, 260 pages, 233 illustrations, paperback.
Download two-page addenda for Cinema in Leicester as PDF.
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ASFORDBY 1905–1922 Detailed and utterly compelling account of the author's childhood in this fast-changing Leicestershire village during and shortly after the First World War. With index of the many family names mentioned.
ISBN 978 1872 883 199. Published 1993. A5, 144 pages, 56 photos, paperback.
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THE MONUMENTS OF ST NICHOLAS CHURCH AND ALL SAINTS CHURCH, LEICESTER One of the series of booklets transcribing the monuments of Leicester's city churches with brief biographies of notable internees.
ISBN 978 1872 883 298. Published 1994, A5, 38 pages, card covers.
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THE MONUMENTS OF ST MARTIN'S CHURCH, LEICESTER The most extensive of the series, covering the Cathedral's many notable interments.
ISBN 978 1872 883 304. Published 1994, A5, 76 pages, card covers.
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THE MONUMENTS OF THE CHURCH OF ST MARGARET, LEICESTER The last of the series covering Leicester's medieval churches.
ISBN 978 1872 883 373. Published 1995, A5, 56 pages, card covers.
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THE WHO'S WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN
Wolds Historical Organisation
This quiz booklet celebrates twenty years of the Wolds Historical Organisation. Questions cover the history of Wymeswold, Burton on the Wolds, Hoton, Cotes, Prestwold and Six Hills in Leicestershire. (Competition closing date 11 August 2007.)
ISBN 978-0-951734-36-0. 2007.
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WOLDS REFLECTIONS A variety of articles and miscellaneous items written by the members of Wolds History Organisation on the history of the north Leicestershire 'wolds villages' of Wymeswold, Burton on the Wolds, Hoton, Cotes and Prestwold.
Wolds Historical Organisation ISBN 978 0951 734 322. Published 1997, A4, 39 pages, illustrated, card covers.
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MEMORIES OF A COUNTRY GIRLHOOD . Illustrations by
In 1983, at the age of 73, Ellen began writing about her life in Wymeswold. Memories of a Country Girlhood is the first of what evolved into a four-part autobiography and describes her childhood, courtship and the early years of her marriage, from 1931 to 1945.
In the twenty years since its first publication this book has gained greatly in importance, providing a unique insight into farming life in Wymeswold that has otherwise been forgotten.
'... Ellen Smith's crisp humorous writing and extraordinarily detailed remembrances put these volumes in a special category... '
'Ellen Smith's Memories make fascinating reading for locals, elderly folk who like to be reminded of how things were, students of social history, or just those who like a read full of gentle humour and the flavour of country life..'
2nd edn by Heart of Albion 2005
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SEVEN PENNIES IN MY HAND . Illustrations by In 1983, at the age of 73, Ellen began writing about her life in Wymeswold. Seven Pennies in my Hand is the second volume (her first book, Memories of a Country Girlhood, is out of print) covering the early years of her marriage, from 1931 to 1945.
'Seven Pennies in my Hand is an affectionate recollection of many years of life in Wymeswold. Ellen's crisp clarity of prose makes it possible for the reader to relive every moment with her.'
2nd edn by Heart of Albion 2005
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MANY FINGERS IN THE PIE . Illustrations by . In 1983, at the age of 73, Ellen began writing about her life in Wymeswold. Many Fingers in the Pie is the third part of Ellen's life story (the first two parts are out of print) covering farming and family life in Wymeswold during the late 1940s and 1950s.
Published by the author 1985 and distributed by Heart of Albion.
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NEVER TOO LATE . Illustrations by . The concluding volume of Ellen's life story, covering the 1960s through to the 1980s, describing her poultry farming and a wide variety of aspects of Wymeswold.
Published by the author 1986 and distributed by Heart of Albion.
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LEICESTER TOWN HALLS Produced for the centenary of the present Town Hall in 1976, the history of the earlier Town Halls and Gildhalls is also considered in some detail.
1976, 8vo, card covers, 16pp with illustrations.
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LEICESTER PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS PRE-1900 A useful glossary of photographers' names, addresses and dates to assist in the dating of family photographs with illustrations of the work of several studios and samples of some of their advertisements.
1988, A5 landscape, laminated covers, 20pp with illustrations.
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MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FOR LEICESTER 1832–1983
1984, A5, 16 pages, 3 photos, card covers.
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LEICESTER'S GREAT INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC 1918–1919
1986, A4, 3 pages.
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LEICESTER TOWN WAYTES
1970, 8vo, 8 pages, card covers.
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WILLIAM GARDINER 1770–1853 A fascinating insight into a leading Leicester citizen who was known as a hosiery manufacturer, musician and dilettante.
1970, 153x250mm, 35 pages plus 7 photos, card covers,
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WILLIAM, FIRST LORD HASTINGS
1984, A5, 16 pages, 4 photos, card covers.
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BALDWIN OF LOUGHBOROUGH AND SHARMAN OF MARKET HARBOROUGH
1986, A5, 8 pages, 5 photos, card covers
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LOUGHBOROUGH STREET-NAME ORIGINS
c.1986, 8 pages.
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