Bøker av Derek Tait

Explore the rich history of Plymouth in this guided tour through its most fascinating historic and modern buildings.

An engaging journey through the Devon port city of Plymouth highlighting its heritage, people and places from across the centuries.

The Rame Peninsula is a beautiful part of Cornwall. Known as 'The Forgotten Corner' it stretches from Torpoint to Cremyll and includes the villages of Kingsand, Cawsand, Millbrook, St John, Sheviock, Antony and Crafthole together with the sandy beaches of Whitsand Bay. Also included is the Mount Edgcumbe Estate with its many follies, wonderful gardens and stunning views. There have been many changes to the surrounding villages including new buildings, transport and fashions. From the days when people would row over from Stonehouse in Plymouth with picnics, to enjoy in the park or on the beaches of Cawsand and Kingsand, to more recent days of cars, buses and holiday homes. This book will appeal to the many people who I'm sure enjoy the beauty and history of the Rame Peninsula as much as I do.

This fascinating collection of over 200 archive photographs and postcards - many not seen before - illustrates the history of Plymouth from the late 1800s to the early 1950s, including the early days of horse-drawn trams and early automobiles through to the blitz of 1941 and the reconstruction of the city in 1947. Never short of entertainment, Plymouth has been visited by a wealth of celebrities including Laurel and Hardy, Harry Houdini, Buffalo Bill and Lillie Langtry. Some older residents of the city will have heard tales of Houdini's jump in chains from Ha'penny Bridge at Stonehouse and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in the early 1900s. There are also nostalgic glimpses of the city's grand old theatres and of Plymouth Hoe, its former pier, and the many shows that took place there. Others will remember the summer dances, roller skating and Sunday concerts given by the Royal Marines Band. Plymouth has seen vast changes over the years and this book features many images of a pre-war Plymouth now long gone. Detailed and informative, this book is sure to bring back memories to be enjoyed by all who know and love this city.

The face of Plymouth changed forever during the Second World War. Heavy bombing destroyed most of its buildings and left the city devastated. Many people found themselves homeless with their only belongings being possessions salvaged from their destroyed homes. Many children were evacuated away from danger and were sent out into the countryside. Many didn't want to go while others saw it as an adventure. The Dockyard also came under attack and large areas of Devonport were destroyed or severely damaged. Other areas hit by the bombing included St Budeaux, Saltash Passage, Swilly (later North Prospect) and Stonehouse. Plymouth Hoe also suffered damage including the destruction of the Pier. Plymouth at War Through Time shows much of the devastation to the city as well as photographs of the same areas as they are today.

What it was like to grow up in 1980s Britain, from the Cold War to Duran Duran. This book combines memories, original documents and photos from that time.

Do you remember glam rock, flares, cheesecloth shirts and chopper bikes? Who could forget all the glam rock bands of that era, like Slade, Wizard, Mud and Sweet, or singers like Alvin Stardust, Marc Bolan and David Bowie?

Do you remember glam rock, flares, cheesecloth shirts and chopper bikes? Then it sounds like you were lucky enough to grow up during the 1970s. Who could forget all the glam rock bands of that era, like Slade, Wizard, Mud and Sweet, or singers like Alvin Stardust, Marc Bolan and David Bowie? What about those wonderful TV shows like Starsky and Hutch, Kojak, Kung Fu and Happy Days? Fashion included platform shoes (we all had a pair), flared trousers, brightly patterned shirts with huge collars and colourful kipper ties. And everyone remembers preparing for power cuts and that long, hot summer of 1976. So dust off your space hopper and join us on this fascinating journey through a childhood during the seventies, with hilarious illustrations and a nostalgic trip down memory lane for all those who grew up in this memorable decade. Derek Tait has written over a dozen books, most of them about his early childhood in Singapore or the area of Plymouth in which he lives. He is now a full-time writer, but previous jobs have included a photographer and a cartoonist.

With few TVs, children in the 1950s made their own entertainment: they played conkers, built dens and go-karts, climbed trees and re-enacted fights from the latest cinema blockbuster. Food was, for many years, still rationed and bought from the local corner shop. There was no pre-packed food, frozen food or many of the other luxuries that we take for granted today. Families would gather around the radio to hear the latest dramatizations such as the incredibly popular show Dan Dare, which was sponsored by Horlicks and was first broadcast in 1951. A trip to the cinema included a Pathe News reel, cartoons and a double bill featuring the latest movies. Much has changed for children over the years and this book shows what life was once like for the children of the 1950s including home life, school days, music and fashions.

Very few buildings that stood in the centre of Plymouth before the War still remain. The city was devastated by enemy bombing especially during 1941. Many of the old, narrow, congested streets were destroyed completely, changing the face of Plymouth forever. After the War, a new modern City Centre was built with first class stores and spacious streets. Vast changes have also occurred in the areas surrounding the centre. Some areas are now totally unrecognizable but often a bit of old wall, post or fence will be exactly the same as it was a hundred years ago making it easier to work out where an old building, factory or farmhouse might have once stood. This book will prove appealing to both people who are interested in the history of the city and also to those who are interested in how the area has changed over the years.

Growing up as a child in Singapore and Malaya in the 1960s was an idyllic experience. Thousands of children of naval personnel will have the same fond memories of the time spent there, as Derek has. Who could forget the constant hot weather or the strange smells that you only seemed to find in the Far East? Who could forget the heavy monsoon rains, chit-chats or Tiger Balm Gardens? Other memories will include the markets, hawkers, amahs and snake charmers. Shopping was an experience in itself. Bartering was a way of life and anyone who lived there at the time would remember CK Tang's and Change Alley. Only going to school till 1.00 p.m. because of the heat and spending the rest of the day on boat trips or at the beach was wonderful, as were all the fantastic toys that were available at the time. This book will remind people of those far off sunny days of childhood, and will bring back many happy memories to those who shared in the experience.

For over seventy-five years, Butlin's have been entertaining families of all ages. Billy Butlin opened his first holiday camp in Skegness in 1936 and continued to expand with camps at Clacton, Ayr, Pwllheli, Bognor Regis, Mosney, Minehead and Barry Island. In post-war Britain, families could enjoy a holiday at Butlin's for the equivalent of a week's wage. Their slogan was 'Our True Intent is all for Your Delight'. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of people visited Butlin's and many have wonderful memories of the friendly redcoats, the funfair rides, roller skating, boating, the talent contests and the beauty pageants.

Covers Cornwall in the Second World War, from the commencement of the conflict in September 1939, until its end in September 1945, featuring many forgotten news stories of the day.

Covers Devon in the Second World War, from the commencement of the conflict in September 1939, until its end in September 1945, featuring many forgotten news stories of the day.

Covers Bath in the Great War from the commencement of war in July 1914 to the Armistice in November 1918, featuring many forgotten news stories of the day. Describes what was happening in the city during the conflict including people's everyday lives, entertainment, spies and the internment of aliens living within the city.

Take a trip back to the most iconic decade in modern British history through a child's eyes.