Author Description

The historic town of Ilkeston nestles neatly between the major cities of Nottingham and Derby. From a bustling market town to a thriving centre of industry, Ilkeston grew alongside the demand for fuel and clothing, like many towns in this border countryside. Local pits once dominated the landscape when coal and its associated industries ruled the day and local people thronged the factories producing hosiery and lace. Those days have gone, but it is a credit to the town and the vibrant spirit of its inhabitants that a thriving hosiery manufacturer and ironworks still dominate Ilkeston today. This fascinating collection of more than 200 photographs taken over the last one hundred years captures much of that history and gives a rich flavour of the town and its people. Not just industry is recalled, but also the recreation and fun which are paramount in this place. The companies of Charnos and Stanton have opened their archives to present material, as has the family of one Ilkeston's most famous sons, Robert Lindsay. The result is an irresistible pictorial journey through both the town and a past which deserves to be remembered.