TWENTY-one butchers, 13 grocers, ten tailors and two watchmakers, one of whom doubled as a dentist. Yes, Stokesley in the 1860s, the focus of these booklets, was certainly a different place from today.
Looking at matters such asagriculture, railways and healthcare, the first title is a revised reissue, newly-enhanced by neat pen-andink drawings, while the second broadens the picture to include entertainment, religion and education.
Law and order brings a surprise: “Joseph Gray, late of the Black Swan Inn, was charged by George Harker, Superintendent of the Railway Police, with having been smoking on the platform of Stokesley Station.”
Today’s smoking ban has yet to catch up with the Stokesley crackdown.
*£5.95 each, or £10 for two, plus £1 or £2 p&p, from Eric Lee, 71 Riverslea, Stokesley, TS9 5DE)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article