David John McCleave
Bletchingley and The Grange, A Pictorial and Social History of a Quintessentially English VillageA fresh look at the history of Bletchingley (Blechingley), centred on The Grange and its transient residents, but with fascinating digressions around the village and beyond. Discover previously unpublished material, including a WWII diary and photographs from family archives. This revised, enhanced and updated edition contains new photographs, listings, information and stories that capture the drama of significant historical events in fresh, compelling detail. An index of illustrations and news headlines has been added. Now with over 450 illustrations including beautifully crafted charts of the Descent and History of the Manor of Blechingley. Forty vintage black and white photographs have been masterfully colourised and brought to life by the author, while others have been sympathetically restored, contrasting with his contemporary photographs. A beautifully detailed pictorial history of Bletchingley’s historic properties, institutions, businesses and inhabitants; from manor house and castle to farm and shop, from hospital to workhouse. Showcased through the work of many eminent photographers, artists and locals.Detailed stories of Bletchingley’s residents: famous, infamous and workaday, such as eminent doctors, parlourmaids, masters of the hunt, postmen, engineers, farmers and lords of the manor. Among the names that have played a part in Bletchingley history and who appear in this book are: Abbott, Bell, Blessig, Birkbeck, Brandt, Boulter, Clayton, Coppard, Denny, D’Oyly Carte, Dunderdale, English, French, Gavell, Hoskins, Judson, Kenrick, Lambert, Leslie, Lovell, Marshall, Martin, Norris, Oldman, Partridge, Perkins, Pratt, Risbridger, Robertson, Robinson, Russell, Sackville, Sharp, Smith, Tobitt and Wren. Bletchingley’s artists, actors, airmen, soldiers, sailors, doctors, nurses, teachers, missionaries, matrons, masters, farmers, bailiffs, gentry, rectors, rat-catchers, sportsmen, postmen, postmasters, postmistresses, parlourmaids, publicans, photographers, painters, politicians, drapers, grocers, grainers, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, basket makers, builders, butchers, bakers and candlestick makers.
