Nestling in its narrow Pennine valley at the Bronte end of Yorkshire, Hebden Bridge is an enigma. Over the twentieth century, this small town' s industrial roots slowly dried up. But then, from the 1970s onwards, it was colonized by waves of artists, bohemians, New Age enthusiasts, media types and an increasingly affluent, left-leaning population. What makes Hebden Bridge the remarkable place it has become?
Social historian Paul Barker grew up here and has a keen sense of belonging. So he is perfectly placed to chronicle and analyse both the changes and the continuities that make Hebden Bridge special. His lively, colourful portrayal mixes personal and family memories with interviews, investigation and criticism. In his explorations, he meets, among others, a husband-and-wife puppet theatre company, the brass band, a local tattoo artist and a plain-speaking grave-digger. Each adds a unique piece to the social patchwork.
Hebden Bridge is variously lauded and decried as ' the fourth funkiest place on the planet' , ' Suicide Central' , ' the little town that time forgot' and ' the lesbian capital of Britain' . Such descriptions irritate, even alienate, the families who' ve lived here for generations.
These contradictions are unpacked in a series of vignettes that are, by turns, amusing, moving and insightful. Through the distinctive experiences and voices of the people who have lived here, and presented with genuine affection and curiosity, Paul Barker paints a vivid portrait of this vigorous, extraordinary place.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
I loved this book...Lively, humorous and incisive Chapters meander through villages, eras, topics; some sections are composed purely from snippets of observations, or extracts from conversations past and present. . . The sense of place for which [Barker] is searching becomes implicitly nostalgic. Paul is perfectly placed to chronicle and analyse both the changes and the continuities that make Hebden Bridge special, and his lively, colourful portrayal mixes personal and family memories with interviews, investigations, as well as criticism. Barker lets the journey take him where it will, a meandering underpinned by some very incisive journalism. No assumptions: he seeks out the villagers who can help... In his story of one village - which might be any village in these times of change - he takes us to a very rich place indeed.
Paul is perfectly placed to chronicle and analyse both the changes and the continuities that make Hebden Bridge special, and his lively, colourful portrayal mixes personal and family memories with interviews, investigations, as well as criticism.
Provides plenty of food for thought.
At once an invaluable social history and a 'bloody good story'.
An evocative, affectionate and realistic look at the changing face of the small Yorkshire town of Hebden Bridge.
Perceptive, enjoyable book.
A vivid portrait of the place, its people and its progress...Sure to inspire others to go on a hunt of their own.
Paul mixes personal memories with interviews and criticisms to work out what makes the beloved area tick.
...a rich, sometimes sad, often funny book.
Chapters meander through villages, eras, topics; some sections are composed purely from snippets of observations, or extracts from conversations past and present. . . The sense of place for which [Barker] is searching becomes implicitly nostalgic.
I loved this book...Lively, humorous and incisive
Sprache
Verlagsort
Verlagsgruppe
Illustrationen
16 colour photographs and archive illustrations
Maße
Höhe: 234 mm
Breite: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-7112-3215-0 (9780711232150)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Paul Barker regularly writes and broadcasts on social, cultural and urban issues. He is a senior research fellow of the Young Foundation in East London, and the former Editor of New Society magazine. His latest book is Hebden Bridge : A Sense of Belonging, as well as The Other Britain, Living as Equals, Arts in Society and The Freedoms of Suburbia. Born in West Yorkshire, he now lives in North London.
