Joyce Raven

This fascinating collection of over 200 archive images provides a nostalgic insight into the changing history of Ashton-under-Lyne over the last 150 years. The images are accompanied by detailed captions that bring to life many aspects of bygone Ashton-under-Lyne, including chapters on work, schools, transport, streets, industry and local events, providing a vital record of vanished vistas and past practices. This book will appeal to anyone with an interest in the history of the area, and also awaken memories of a bygone time for those who worked or lived in the town.

The Local Government Reorganisation Plan of 1971 brought together the nine townships of Ashton under Lyne, Audenshaw, Denton, Droylsden, Dukinfield, Hyde, Longdendale, Mossley and Stalybridge and, from 1 April 1974, the towns came together under the nomenclature of Tameside. We have attempted to illustrate through old photographs and their modern counterparts a glimpse of these very individual townships. The Kings Head in Droylesden will be forever associated with Guardsman Neil 'Tony' Downes, son of licensees Ronnie and Sheryl. Twenty-year-old Tony was killed in Afghanistan in June 2007. His funeral at St Mary's Church, with full military honours, was on the 28 June, the very day he had been due home on leave. Tony wrote letters home and his words were set to music by chart act, 'The Soldiers'. Entitled Letters Home it was released in 2010.