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Stylish and dark, the BBC series the 'Peaky Blinders' is set in the backstreets of Birmingham after the First World War and tells of the rise to power of Thomas Shelby and his criminal gang. Yet the real stories behind these fictional characters are just as dramatic, bloody and compelling as the TV series. This book tells their story.

The Yarnfield Yanks tells the story of the main American Army Air Force Replacement Depot at Yarnfield, Stone, Staffordshire during World War II and includes many first-hand experiences supplied by relatives of men who were there. It describes the day-to-day workings of the depot and the effect the American servicemen and women temporarily stationed there had on the local people. The book also describes the wider system of air force replacement depots that came under the jurisdiction of the Yarnfield Depot and recounts the activities of other bases in Lancashire, the Midlands and US rest-homes in the south of the UK

To Beach or not to Beach? combines the musings of an enquiring mind with a profound love of flora and fauna and a deep compassion for the world's inequalities. Rarely travelling alone, itineraries have enabled Mary to trek through jungles, cross lakes in dugout canoes and travel by skidoo across the 'Land of Nothing' behind the migrating reindeer of the Sami. Highlights and challenges are also part of expedition life: from witnessing the 5th King's Coronation in Bhutan to being dumped at a remote airport hours from the intended destination. We are invited to share the music, customs and environments of multiple regions. Mary also details the orphanages and hospitals that she has encountered, including Mother Teresa's. By the end, the reader will be much wiser about the less-frequented corners of the world. The adventures recorded are fascinating events in the life of the author, who, when she is not travelling, lives in leafy Warwickshire.

Three gallant young men set off on a quest to uncover the identity of a traitor behind a deadly explosion, unlocking a secret that sparked a civil war and another that ultimately ended it. Lord Henry Morton, Sir Arlen Barlett and Kian Munro are fiercely loyal to the Crown and each other. Their quest takes them halfway across Mercia following a dangerous trail of murder, deception, longlost secrets, love, and betrayal, entwined with their own personal journey of unequivocal friendship and discovery. Set in a fictional, medievalesque world the men relentlessly race

Hill & Smith, a stalwart of the UK's West Midlands industrial scene, is today a leading provider of sustainable infrastructure products and services to a wide range of sectors in multiple international markets. This short history traces its 200-year journey, starting in 1824 as a family-owned ironworks in the heart of the Black Country, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. It continues through the highs and lows of the 20th century with two World Wars, a listing on the London Stock Exchange, the stark impact of the UK steel industry's decline, and latterly diversification through a series of acquisitions. Finally, it describes the business's 21st century transformation into a major international group, still based in the West Midlands but employing almost 4,500 people worldwide and valued at close to GBP1.5bn. The book looks at the events that have shaped Hill & Smith's story, the enduring qualities and values that have underpinned its success, and the key people that have made it happen.

The Black Country has a wealth of pubs and breweries serving the local population of its many towns and settlements. This book is based on a series of articles published in the Black Country Bugle newspaper and the Blackcountryman magazine during 2020-2022. The text aims to cover the main towns and settlements of the Black Country, detailing the many hundreds of pubs that have served the local communities over the years, telling some interesting stories about the pubs, their landlords and customers. It also covers most of the breweries in the area, ranging from small home-brew pubs to the many commercial breweries that have existed over the years. So, let's go for an alphabetical tour through the towns and communities of the Black Country to discover the pubs and breweries that served them, both now and in the past. Long may they prosper!

At the height of his fame as a composer, Edward Elgar publicly admitted that his success was owing to the influence of his mother. Copiously illustrated, this is the story of thatinspirational mother, Ann Greening, who gave her son love, security and understanding - the best possible start in life. Despite her poor background and basic education, her interests were wide- ranging - the natural world, literature and chivalry - and she had a strong religious faith and sense of fun. She epitomised the Victorians' enthusiasm for self-improvement, and, in spite of not being musical, she played a crucial role in nurturing her son's genius. Her confidence and enthusiasm for learning enabled Elgar to turn what otherwise might have been seen as a distinct disadvantage in the lack of high-level music education to the creation of his own very individual style.

Maggie Payne's third book Buntings ‿ Tales from the Till is a delightful recollection of memories from 30 years of service at the well-established and popular family shop, Buntings ‿ the High Class Grocer and Delicatessen, in Alcester, Warwickshire. Working alongside colourful characters and serving customers from all walks of life ‿ the rich, the poor, the young and the old ‿ Maggie discloses to the reader what really goes on behind the till. Through both amusing and poignant anecdotes, the author illustrates everyday life in a busy family shop of a bustling town. Maggie reveals how working alongside the Bunting family, in the hub of the community, has shaped her into the person she is today.

The county of Warwickshire, right at the very heart of England, is famous for its natural beauty with countless villages hiddenaway in the countryside ‿ each one a gem for the curious visitor. It is equally well known for its tourist attractions and of course is synonymous with William Shakespeare and the imposing feature on the landscape of Warwick Castle. Much lesser known is the key role that Warwickshire played during World War II and the so-called Cold War period that followed. This book seeks to remove the veil of secrecy which surrounded many aspects of life during these periods and pays tribute to the many professional members of the Armed Services as well as volunteers and members of the community who lived or served in Warwickshire. Top Secret Warwickshire builds on the success of Top Secret Worcestershire and its content ranges from 'top secret' accounts to unsolved mysteries and little-known facts. Thebook is packed with images of the time and personal recollections from a generation whose memories must be preserved to better inform our future generations of their sacrifices.

Knitted Swimming Trunks is an honest, painful, but ultimately hopeful portrayal of an ordinary boy living an ordinary life. After a traumatic birth, Andy takes us through the 1950s and 1960s, from his schooldays to teenage antics. With humour and a good heart, Andy describes the travails of growing up on a council estate as he managed to acquire all sorts of strange ailments including; nits, croup, alopecia and a bad stammer ‿ all of which made him an easy target for the bullies. Describing with sincerity and frankness the difficulties of 'growing up, Andy opens up not only about the hardships but also about the laughter he shared with friends and family ‿ all experiences that have shaped him into the man he has become. A nostalgic read, this memoir is both poignant and life affirming. There are plenty of tears but also enough laugh out loud moments to make this an uplifting and true-to-life tale of growing up.

The UK's energy problems are now centre stage. Growing up with Gas puts them in perspective with a history of the gas industry from its revolutionary origins at the beginning of the 19th century, manufacturing coal gas, to the present, as a now handful of international companies gear up to move it from carbon-emitting natural gas to the clean gas hydrogen. En route, the fragmented industry was rationalised by nationalisation then returned to the vagaries of (now global) market forces by privatisation. Because the industry consisted of small companies for most of its 200 years, this national history is combined with a detailed case study. Focused on North Tyneside, it illustrates how local companies evolved and how their directors, shareholders, employees, and customers responded to national changes and local circumstances, including often fraught relationships with local Councils, competition from the electricity industry, and the huge impact of two world wars.