Last updated on 23 September 2015
Our book: Tollerton: A Village History was launched in May 2015 and within a month we had to order more books! Anyone who would like to buy a copy can order through the web site www.barnybooks.co.uk or see the village newsletter for contacts in the village.
A review of the book was written by Peter Foale which is below:
We live in a time when we are constantly encouraged to pursue the new, to upgrade our lives and our homes and to disregard the past. When I was asked to proof read and review this book, I really had no idea what I would find. Would it be interesting or would I find a publication wallowing in nostalgia? Would it have relevance to those of us who live here now?
As I started to read, I became increasingly gripped and fascinated by the story of this village. As I go about my daily life, I have been oblivious to the richness of the history of the village both as a physical place and as a community. I have certainly started to see Tollerton in a new light as I have read, for example, about the exploits of some of the former occupants of the Hall, the buildings and architecture that we see around us and take for granted, the impact of the two world wars and, most importantly, the contributions that ordinary people have made to creating the place we all call home.
The Village History Group is to be commended for the way it has gone about its work. This is a thoroughly researched, well written and accessible book that puts the present village in a proper historical context. It does not seek to portray the past through rose tinted glasses but will give you a real flavour of what you might have seen and what life might have been like if you had lived here in years now long gone.
If you want to know more about Tollerton, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I promise you that you will see our village in a whole new light.
We have also had some wonderful emails from other readers, here are a selection:
Ruth Dodd
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading the book you published and congratulate you and your team on a very professional job. The book was easy to read and contained some very interesting things about Tollerton,many of which I never knew about.
It also contained a nice surprise. After buying the book we went into the the church hall to look at the art exhibition as my husband is a keen photographer and painter. I was flicking through the book while having a cup of tea and was astonished to see my sister’s face in a photograph towards the end of the book. She was one of the children sitting in a group listening to a story by Helen Cresswell.She now lives in Chippenham,but I visited her last week and was able to share the book and photo with her. She was thrilled and could remember the visit well.
David & Cheryl Broughton
Just had to let you know how well I thought the Tollerton Village History Book has turned out.Can’t believe how many interesting stories, together with facts and figures, can be included in one publication for a relatively small village. It’s surprising how much I didn’t know despite spending most of my life here. Congratulations to all concerned with the writing and presentation.
More testimonials:
“A fascinating read.”
“Congratulations on the excellent standard and readability of the book.”
“It’s great; a really good read.”
“The book is very readable and it is also fascinating and highly entertaining. So much so that I have already read it all. I cannot begin to imagine how much work has gone into the research and into the decision-making process regarding what to include and what to leave out, and what is the most relevant section for each bit of information. You have got it all just right. Thank you for all your hard work and all the pleasure the book has given me.”
“Just had to let you know how well I thought the Tollerton Village History Book has turned out. Can’t believe how many interesting stories, together with facts and figures, can be included in one publication for a relatively small village. It’s surprising how much I didn’t know despite spending most of my life here. Congratulations to all concerned with the writing and presentation.”
“I found the book very interesting. I think the layout is very good, making it easy to read.”