Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 11h

Or a map. You know, a high-quality reprint of a historically interesting OS map with a well researched essay on the back?
Heck, buy a book AND a map.

You only live once!
Buy two of each!

Bookshop.org @bookshop.org · 1d

Can’t decide what to buy on Prime Day?

Try: absolutely nothing, and then go support indie bookstores instead 📚

1 2

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 12h

You can buy this fantastic map-monument to #England (and #Britain, to be more inclusive) here – www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/kent1906.htm

You’ll also find almost 4,000 other brilliant #maps on the site too.

....
Tomorrow we’re visiting #Birmingham, and from the 10th we’re showcasing FOUR new maps!

1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 12h

The centre of our sample image is a cricket ground nestling into a bend in the River Medway, one of #England's most historic rivers.
These great national symbols are joined by others – a tennis court, a Norman-era castle and a grand 1000-year-old cathedral.
You can almost smell the patriotism!
2/

1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 12h

“This one has the largest share (of the city centre) and includes the CATHEDRAL, most of the CASTLE, the ancient parish churches and ‘Kings School’….” Pamela’s map notes do make a good point that this is a lively map, as you’ll see on our sample today.

2/

(printed map is clearer than sample)

1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 12h

“#Rochester’s ancient centre is lovely, packed full of interest and relatively small, but thanks to an unhappy fall of the OS’s grid lines it is split between three maps.”

Pamela Taylor, her map notes and I are in disagreement, because I think that’s a brilliant opportunity to buy THREE maps!

1/

1

Reposted by Alan Godfrey Maps

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

'Central Sunderland 1914' is probably one of the most intriguing maps I’ve seen in my time with AGM.

Sunderland today is probably accompanied by a slight shrug when someone thinks of the place, even by an inhabitant of that noble city. And yet, it contains incredible multitudes.
1/

1 1 1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

Beyond today’s sample you'll find a wealth of interest – a workhouse, infirmary, huge shipyards, factories– there’s a chance a relative worked here, passed through, used some of the cities glass!
Buy this brilliant map & excellent essay by Alan Godfrey here- www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/sunderlandc....

2

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

“(City status in 1992)… was met with some surprise, for (it) is on no natural thoroughfare, boasts no great castle or cathedral to attract the tourists...This map however, shows clearly how substantial it is,…packed with features, and with its three historic industries – ship-building, glass, coal”

1 1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

Newcastle had coal, Middlesbrough had steel, Glasgow had shipbuilding. Sunderland? Sunderland had those, but mainly it was known for glass.
And not just glass – some of the finest glass on earth came from the city. The first stained glass made in England, over 1300 years ago, was made here!
2/

1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 1d

'Central Sunderland 1914' is probably one of the most intriguing maps I’ve seen in my time with AGM.

Sunderland today is probably accompanied by a slight shrug when someone thinks of the place, even by an inhabitant of that noble city. And yet, it contains incredible multitudes.
1/

1 1 1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 2d

There's a lot to say for being somewhere new, but with the comfort of a shared language 👍

I have to admit, I travelled a lot around the UK last year and loved it.

- Andrew.

1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 2d

It’s a shame that many of these coastal communities fell into such a steep decline as air travel became affordable. Whole economies left, and what could fill the void? The railways built them, the airways broke them. And yet, their vistas are often as beautiful as any Costa-del-somewhere.

/4

Home

www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk

1 2

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 2d

As a mild introvert, spoiled on holidays abroad, I don’t know if I like the idea of leaving my village, with my village, to drive 200 miles to say, Southport for a week on a beach eating ice creams and getting sunburn/frostbite? What do you think? Would you go on holiday with everyone you know?

3/

1 1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 2d

The railways created the Great British Holiday, built Saltburn, Southport, New Brighton, Great Yarmouth, Llandudno & a hundred other lovely seaside towns filled with red-skinned out-of-towners, donkeys, chips, seagulls and good old-fashioned joy.
You’ll see the prosperity on many of our maps.

3/

1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 2d

The coastal towns we’ve visited this weekend were very popular holiday destinations, especially during the ‘Wakes Weeks’ of the early half of the last century, where whole towns would essentially close down for a week or two & decamp to Blackpool, Rhyl, Penzance and all points on the UK compass.
2/

1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 2d

We’re ending our #holiday weekend today, sadly packing our suitcases; stuffing candy rock and kiss-me-quick hats in between sandy underpants and ice-cream-stained shirts, wondering where we put the house keys and carefully stealing any remaining coffee sachets from the tea service in the room...
1/

1 3

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 3d

*though

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 3d

Haha, Excellent eye for detail.

I have to admit that I don't know, sorry!
I'm fairly certain it's a made-up image thought, it's a copywrite free picture.

1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 3d

That's beautiful!

1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 3d

Not long left on our #railway200 sale!
Get your half-price maps quick!

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 6d

Good evening everyone!

A quick reminder that our website is *FULL* of bargains at the moment!

Half Price railway maps -
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/acatalog/Sto...

Subscriptions!
#Exeter #Doncaster #Cambridge #Next100Maps
Big discounts on multi-buying!
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/acatalog/Sub...

1

Reposted by Alan Godfrey Maps

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 3d

Welcome back to our holiday weekend! A rare coloured sample today, and it’s an absolute dazzler as I’m sure you’ll agree. In fact, its fair to say it’s a ‘piece of great’.

Ahem. Yes, there may be pirate puns on today’s thread.

Penzance 1877 - www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/corn7402.htm

1/

1 2 5

Reposted by Alan Godfrey Maps

Dr Francis Young @drfrancisyoung.bsky.social · 3d

Admirable efficiency, if you ask me - why make more paperwork by involving a third party

Sophie Michell @sophiemhistory.bsky.social · 3d

Ok, this is a first... a coroner holding an inquest over a man HE KILLED

Come on gang, we're going in...

A clip from an 1893 copy of a Lincolnshire newspaper titled A coroner.
People are not aware of a coroner's enormous power. He has more power than a Prime Minister. He stands next to the Queen. Boston is fortunate in having as coroner a gentleman who does not put in force all the power the law gives. The Bobby (police) says he ought to fill two offices - MP for Boston as well as coroner. Many years ago we had a coroner called Mastin who held an inquest on a man he had killed a few hours before. Mr Mastin held an inqust at Butterwick. The jury sat late and the coroner on returning was stopped by a man in a lane who seized his mare by the head and demanded money or life. Old Mastin, like an Englishman, fought for it. The man was knocked down and the wheel of his gig (a small carriage) went over his head and killed him. He was a stranger - no one knew him.

5 46

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 3d

We're posting on Dublin next week!
Heck of a city!

1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 3d

"The van's on the road, I'll come over in the car, pet..."

-Andrew.

1

Alan Godfrey Maps @alangodfreymaps.bsky.social · 3d

Ah! Progress!

- Andrew.