Rugeley: 150 years of a country town

 

The Landor (Local History) Society is proud to bring Ernest Toye's previously unpublished history of Rugeley to a wider audience. Toye was a founding member of our Society and a teacher of Latin and History at Rugeley Grammar School.

 

Spanning the years from 1700 to c.1850 it contents include:

 

Rugeley in 1700; Fire and Flood; Local Government in the first half of the 18th century;

The Horsefair and the 'Forty Five'; Local Government in the latter half of the 18th century;

Personalities of Rugeley in the 18th century; The Town 1801-10; After the French Wars 1811-20;

Regency Rugeley; 1830-46.

 

It sets the minutiae of local life into the context of the wider world of national events.

 

This book is usually available from: Margaret Neal (also by post); Rugeley Library; Instaprint Ltd, Rugeley; The Museum of Cannock Chase, Hednesford.  Price £7.00

The Sneyds of Rugeley, Ravenhill & Brereton

 

Another wonderful piece of research (2019) from Harry Thornton relating to the Sneyd family during the period 1787 to 1913; their activities in and around Rugeley; their charitable legacies and also some details of their personal lives and their properties in Rugeley, Ireland and Rhyl.

 

Available from Margaret Neal and Rugeley Library.  Price £2.50

“Ironworks of the Rising Brook Valley” by Harry Thornton (2016)

 

The meticulously researched A4 book, lavishly illustrated with photos, maps and plans, pieces together the evidence for 300 years of ironworking in the district. This book is available from Margaret Neal - 01889 582709 - (also by post); and Rugeley Library.  Price £7.00

'The Murder of Christina Collins' 

 

A reprint of John Godwin's booklet. (The 'Bloody Steps’ Murder on the Trent and Mersey Canal near Rugeley) This was used as the basis for John's friend Colin Dexter's 'Inspector Morse' novel "The Wench is Dead"). 

Price 2.50