Books, DVDs and Videos on Local History in and around Teesdale

Books

History on Your Doorstep has produced two local history books

Smike

'Smike' tells the tale of a gentleman, Edward Smith, who spent his youth at Dotheboys Hall, Bowes. Having escaped the school regime, he arrived in Woodland to make a new life for himself. Because of his association with Dotheboys Hall, after the publication of Dickens' Nicholas Nickleby, he acquired the nickname Smike and revelled in his new found, but undeserved, fame. Local folklore still says that he was Dickens' original and that he is buried in Lynesack churchyard.

This book spells out the facts in plain detail after meticulous research- was this man the real Smike? Who is buried in Lynesack churchyard? Is the myth true?

£5.00 (plus £1.00 postage and packing)

A Death on Diamond Bank

This book gives an account through newspaper articles of the time, about the sensational and brutal murder of a local Butterknowle Acting Police Sergeant. The book follows the case from the initial reporting of the murder, right through to the verdicts and covers an extraordinary twist in the tale which happened many years later.

This is an extraordinary story which has been thoroughly researched and the use of newspapers clippings gives a real sense of the Victorian drama in evidence at the time.

£5.00 (plus £1.00 postage and packing)

DVDs & Videos

The 'History on Your Doorstep' series of documentaries will cover all aspects of village life in Woodland from the turn of the 19th/20th Century to the present day. Parts 1 & 2 are currently available to buy.

The author intends to continue producing additional chapters and currently has plans for a total of 5. Keep visiting our site to find out about release dates.

History on Your Doorstep - Woodland Part 1 (Pubs, Shops & Businesses)

This spellbinding documentary tells the story of Woodland in its heyday. Through the use of old photographs and anecdotal evidence, the documentary takes us from the beginning of the 20th Century right up to the 1970's.

Anyone with an interest in Woodland will find this a fascinating story and will inevitably recognise many of the characters and places featured.

The documentary is available in DVD and Video format

£12.00 (plus £1.00 postage and packing) 

History on Your  Doorstep - Woodland Part 2 (Religion)

Part two of the series covers the many forms of religion that have been evident in the village over the past century.

It tells the story of the Wesleyan Chapel, the Wesleyan Sunday School (subsequently the Temperance Hall and now a private dwelling), St Mary's Mission Church, the Band of Hope, the Pilgrims' Progress, the Mothers' Union and the Womens' Institute.

The documentary features the history of these places and institutions from the late 19th Century, when places of worship were flourishing, up to 2006. Where possible, the author has included present-day, comparative photographs of the buildings featured and the interiors, including congregations and incumbent ministers. As a result, the documentary will bring back many memories of Woodland residents past and present.

The documentary is available in DVD and Video format and includes a supplementary booklet featuring relevant, contemporary press cuttings

£12.00 (plus £1.00 postage and packing)

History on Your  Doorstep - Woodland Part 3 (Woodland at Play)

 The third in the series of “A Pictorial History of Woodland” this time depicting the village at play and at leisure. The documentary covers Brass Bands, Carnivals, Beagling, Football, Cricket, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, Pigeon Club, Garden Club, Tennis and Billiards and is a two-disc set running for a total of 108 minutes.

 £12.00 (plus £1.00 postage and packing)