I Wanted a Boat - So I Built One
This book is remarkable in a number of ways. At first it appears to be a simple family history, but as you turn the pages you discover an amazing archive of photographs, documenting 150 years of the history of wooden boatbuilding in Sheringham, accompanied by a thoroughly researched text which includes numerous extracts from local newspapers of the time.
The Emery family’s voyage into boatbuilding began in around 1850—through a combination of necessity, determination and enterprising ‘diversification’ of carpentry skills into a new arena. Lewis ‘Buffalo’ Emery was the son of Benjamin, a Norwich ‘carrier’ cart driver, and Sarah Grimes, who lived at East Beckham. He became a carpenter and fisherman who wanted a new boat but could not get anyone to build him one.
So he decided to build himself a boat. And it was a good one. Other fishermen were soon asking if he would build them a boat too, which saw him switch from fishing and go into boat building full-time. Thus began four generations of boat-building in Sheringham, set to continue for building to 1957 and repairing to 1981.
This book has been brought together by Michael, Malcolm and Jonathan Emery, with photos from the family archives and other contributors forming a unique record of a part of Sheringham history.
I Wanted a Boat – So I Built One: The story of the Emery family boatbuilding business
By Michael, Malcolm and Jonathan Emery
Paperback 92 pages; Poppyland Publishing
ISBN 9781909796966; RRP £10.95
New Book Roundup
As we move into the autumn I thought it would be useful to bring you a roundup of books that we’ve added to our lists during the summer. We have some brilliant new historical fiction, insight of life on the Blakeney spit from a National Trust ranger, and the curious story of the wreck of the Gloucester off the Norfolk coast.
Queenie of Norwich
Ellen Read was born in 1900 in the poverty of the Norwich yards, living in a tiny windowless house with her parents and 5 brothers and sisters. This fictionalised story follows her life in the early 20th century as she grows up with a travelling fairground family and works in Norwich during the First World War. Read more…
Queenie of Norwich by LK Wilde
Paperback 320 pages
ISBN 97813999913539: RRP £8.99
The Locked Room
The latest Ruth Galloway story from Elly Griffiths in paperback. Ruth and Nelson are on the hunt for a murderer when Covid rears its ugly head. But can they find the killer despite lockdown? We now have this and most of the series in stock.
The Locked Room by Elly Griffiths
Paperback 399 pages; Quercus
ISBN 9781529409673; RRP £8.99
The Strange Wrecking of the Gloucester
The wreck of the Gloucester, which was carrying James, Duke of York, the heir to the throne, was located off the coast of Norfolk in 2007, but the find was only recently announced and will be the subject of an exhibition in Norwich in 2023. This book tells the story of the Gloucester, and how it was found. Read more…
Samuel Pepys and the Strange Wrecking of the Gloucester: A True Restoration Tragedy by Nigel Pickford
Hardback 293 pages; The History Press
ISBN 9780750997539; RRP £20.00
The Unique Life of a Ranger
Written by naturalist and TV presenter, Ajay Tegala, this book gives us a real insight into the job and life of a conservation ranger. Well written and illustrated with photographs taken during his time at Blakeney, this is a book that will be enjoyed by anyone who loves this coast and anyone with an interest in conservation – highly recommended.
The Unique Life of a Ranger: Seasons of Change on Blakeney Point by Ajay Tegala;
Paperback 328 pages; History Press
ISBN 9781803990293; RRP £16.99
Suffolk Witches
When most of us think of witches we come up with images of broomsticks, black pointy hats, cauldrons and spooky cottages in the woods. And many of us were taught in school about how witches were thrown in the village pond to see if they floated. But the truth about witch trials is much darker.
In the 17th century, accusations of witchcraft were used to persecute women, and such an accusation could mean imprisonment, torture, trial and horrific execution.
In This Fearful Thing and The Unnamed, Laina West, writing as L M West, takes the limited facts available about witch trials in Suffolk and builds them into stories that bring home the true horror of the misogyny and hatred that these women suffered. Read more…
This Fearful Thing by L M West
Paperback 247 pages; ISBN 9781800496392; RRP £9.99
The Unnamed by L M West
Paperback 308 pages; ISBN 9781800685581; RRP £9.99
Kings Lynn and the German Hanse
Paul Richards investigates the character of the German Hanse and why Hanseatic ships used King’s Lynn as a prime destination. This is a thorough survey of Anglo-Hanseatic commerce through the East Anglian ports in the 15th century and explores the political consequences of English merchants beginning to penetrate the German Baltic.
King’s Lynn and The German Hanse 1250 – 1550
Paperback 210 pages; Poppyland Publishing
ISBN 9781909796911; RRP £10.95
Suffolk Above & Beyond
Martin Bowman is a Norfolk based author and photographer, probably best known for his histories of military aviation, but for this book he has toured Suffolk and produced a photographic guide to the most picturesque spots of this beautiful county. Full of colour photographs, there is a personal feel to the book as Martin selects his favourite locations.
Suffolk Above and Beyond by Martin W. Bowman
Hardback 144 pages; Halsgrove
ISBN 9780857043450; RRP £16.99
AA 2023 Road Atlases
The 2023 editions of the popular AA Road Atlases are now available. As usual these are discounted from their cover price, with good discounts for trade customers buying 10 or more copies – login or contact us for details.
AA 2023 Great Britain and Ireland
ISBN 9780749583026; RRP 7.99 £4.99
AA 2023 Large Scale Road Atlas of Britain
ISBN 9780749583019, RRP 9.99 £5.99
2023 Tide Tables
The new tide table booklets for next year are now with our printers, and we hope to have them ready by the end of September. We will shortly have them live on the website ready for pre-ordering.
Our new website
Our new website is now up and running and, apart from a few minor teething problems, seems to be working well. If you’ve used it, we’re always pleased to hear your comments and any suggestions for improvement. If you haven’t, take a look, and if you are a trade customer, you can register to order online through our dedicated trade ordering pages which list your previously ordered products for quick re-ordering – you can still pay on your usual account terms.
