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Anne Lister – The First Modern Lesbian

Women of York is a wonderful new book on the often unheard of tales of women who have influenced the history of this city in one way or another. In this article, we’ll look at Anne Lister, who could be described as the first modern lesbian, and her secret lovers. She was the inspiration for the TV drama series Gentleman Jack. Discovering Anne's Diaries Shibden Hall In one of the dark, candle-lit rooms of Shibden Hall, Halifax, John Lister pulled back the old wooden panel...

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A Snapshot of York Industry Through Time

York, because of its cloth trade and the ancillary industries associated with it in the 14th century, was described as ‘the foremost industrial town in the North of England.’ This prosperity was short-lived though, and the trade in cloth declined to such a degree that, as we have seen, a visitor to the city in the seventeenth century, Thomas Fuller, remarked: ‘the foreign trade is like their river...low and flat.’. The railway and confectionery industries were soon to change York’s industrial...

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The Roman sewer discovered under York – and what it confirmed about toilet habits!

In 1972 a large sewer was discovered under Church Street in York. Big enough to walk through, early investigations clearly identified it as a very old structure, most likely of Roman origin. This was later confirmed. Like today’s modern sewers, this underground route included many features such as side channels, sluices and even manhole covers in the street above. The size of it allowed slaves access to clean the sewer of any build-up of excrement or other detritus which had been washed down by...

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Out Now! York Through the Lens of The Press

You can now get your hands on a copy of the most exciting new book about York available this year. York Through the Lens of The Press is a nostalgic look at the stories, events and news about the city which have appeared in The Press, its local newspaper, over the past hundred or more years. The Yorkshire Evening Press, known today simply as The Press, has been the beating heart of life in York since 1882. Through the reporting of its journalists and...

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Remembering Middlesbrough Football Club in Colour

Our newly launched book, Middlesbrough – A Colourful Past is a landmark look at the history of Middlesbrough, and it includes some amazing memories of Middlesbrough Football Club. Written and designed by local historian and broadcaster Paul Menzies, the book takes the reader on a journey through the history of Middlesbrough in full colour for the first time. The images in the book have been painstakingly restored, bringing old black and white scenes into vibrant colour, and helping the reader really see...

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New Book on York Delves into the Archives of The Press

Destinworld Publishing announces York Through the Lens of The Press, a new book title for Autumn 2022 which looks into the fascinating archives of The Press, York’s premier newspaper. The Yorkshire Evening Press, known today simply as The Press, has been the beating heart of life in York since 1882. Through the reporting of its journalists and the images captured by its photographers, The Press has witnessed thousands of stories, events and changes in the city. Now, for the first time, these images...

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It’s Their Town! Middlesbrough Heroes Celebrate New Book

Out now, Middlesbrough – A Colourful Past is a landmark new book on the history of Middlesbrough. Written and designed by local historian and broadcaster Paul Menzies, the book takes the reader on a journey through the history of Middlesbrough in full colour for the first time. The images in the book have been painstakingly restored, bringing old black and white scenes into vibrant colour, and helping the reader really see and feel what it was like to be there at the...

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A Whisky Tour of Islay

The small Scottish island of Islay is one of the most unique whisky producing regions. Thanks to its isolation, the flavours produced in its whiskies is often different to any others found across Scotland, or in whiskies around the world. Islay’s whiskies are often defined by their peaty, smoky and maritime flavours because of the make-up of the island’s geography and its location in the North Atlantic ocean. Some of these whiskies are considered only palatable by experienced whisky fans, or those with...

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Paul Menzies

Paul Menzies Discusses His New Book on Middlesbrough’s History

Paul Menzies is no stranger to documenting the past. He is the author of numerous books on the local history of Teesside, with tens of thousands of copies sold to date. Now, his latest book on Middlesbrough is set to turn the usual format on its head as he brings the past to life in full colour. Middlesbrough – A Colourful Past, released this month, offers ‘never seen before’ images, many in colour for the very first time, which together with...

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Middlesbrough’s Stations Through Time

There’s great work going on in central Middlesbrough at the moment, with plans to vastly improve the station. The building, which dates from the 1870s, has in recent years been degrading and suffering from lack of love or attention. But now, there are plans to improve the entrances and facades, ticketing areas, platforms, and bring into use disused parts of the building. But, as we see in books like Middlesbrough – A Colourful Past, by Paul Menzies, the history of the railways and...

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