Hobnob Press

28/06/2024

We will shortly be publishing a new book by James Holden on the civic buildings of Wiltshire. Now available to pre-order.

An 1850s police station in fine late-Georgian style, an exuberant 1880s town hall, a 1905 public library in miniature Scots Baronial, a 1930s council office of pure geometric design: these are just a few of the over 300 public buildings in Wiltshire towns. Their purpose varies widely but, despite th

26/06/2024

We are thrilled to announce that Chris Dallimore's latest book about the history of Chippenham is available to pre-order!
It really is very good.

Chippenham on this Day contains 366 days of events from the history of Chippenham in north Wiltshire. As you work through the calendar you will discover a wide range of subjects: tragedies, celebrations, crimes, freak weather, royal visits, protests and much more. Some of these events are well known

26/06/2024

Half of the team was out last night with Graham Carter and Noel Ponting to launch their amazing book- Moonies, Movers & Shakers at probably the best pub in Swindon- the Gluepot. Want to know more on the book? Check out- https://www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/moonies-movers-and-shakers-rediscovered-stories-and-personalities-from-the-association-of-wiltshiremen-in-london-by-noel-ponting-and-graham-carter

15/06/2024

15/06/2024

We are very proud to have published this fabulous art book by our friend John Harris.
https://www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/land-meets-water-artistic-ramblings-along-the-south-west-coastline-by-john-harris

14/06/2024

We are pleased to announce the imminent launch of this beautifully produced history of the Ass. of Wiltshiremen or the 'Moonies in London' as they were known (referring to Wiltshire people being known as moonrakers).

The thrust of this book is ostensibly a history of the Association of Wiltshiremen in London, but there are other themes too, including cool things you may not have known about the county, and its fertile sub-genre, people you didn't realise were born in Wiltshire. The 'Moonies in London', as they w

13/06/2024

Launching today!!!

This book presents a compelling narrative that weaves a thematic history, case studies, and in-depth examinations of village life in Kington St Michael and Kington Langley throughout the centuries. Readers will find themselves immersed in the intricate details of these north Wiltshire commu

03/06/2024

Hobnob is thrilled to be working with the Victoria County History and Kington St Michael Parish Council to publish this history of Kington St Michael and Kington Langley, Wilts, especially as the author, Louise Ryland-Epton, is part of the Hobnob team.

This book presents a compelling narrative that weaves a thematic history, case studies, and in-depth examinations of village life in Kington St Michael and Kington Langley throughout the centuries. Readers will find themselves immersed in the intricate details of these north Wiltshire commu

03/06/2024

A departure for Hobnob, we are delighted to be collaborating with the artist John Harris to bring his superb paintings and sketches to publication.

Approaching landfall from the sea gives an entirely different perspective and emotional response to that of looking out to sea from the land. Walking on the coast gives one the time to soak up the scenery, frame the vista in your mind and study rather than glimpse. Travelling by car provides the whe

03/06/2024

We have lots of new title this month. This beautifully illustrated history of Bishopstrow, Wilts, is a community history to which many residents have contributed, and Hobnob is very pleased to have offered advice over the last year.

https://www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/bishopstrow-a-small-village-with-a-big-history-edited-by-victoria-coombes

12/05/2024

OUT NOW our new book on Henry 'Orator' Hunt.
https://www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/henry-orator-hunt-and-the-ilchester-bastille-by-mick-davis

12/05/2024

It is Local History Month! And this week we have a fabulous new title that looks at the history of Bath from an unusual angle. On sale at Oldfield Park Bookshop, other local bookshops and on our website.

Bath between the wars was an oasis for retired colonial civil servants, colonels, generals and admirals. Thanks to its splendid Georgian architecture, concerts and drama it was also a centre for the highbrow tourist, and its spa drew those afflicted with arthritis and gout. Yet the

29/03/2024

We cannot believe is almost over. But you can still purchase our lovely new title that highlights fascinating women's stories from north .
Here is a little something on Amelia from .
The book is available on our website and in selected stores. https://www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/extraordinary-ordinary-women-of-north-wiltshire-by-lucy-whitfield

25/03/2024

Out now!
Digging much deeper than the usual suffrage-and-STEM criteria for interesting women's stories, Extraordinary Ordinary Women - of North Wiltshire takes in twenty case studies of inspirational teachers, pioneering social workers, a war hero with her beloved hounds, a beauty influencer with an acidic tongue, and much more.
Order from your local bookshop or at https://www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/extraordinary-ordinary-women-of-north-wiltshire-by-lucy-whitfield"

24/12/2023

Our last book of 2023 is Wiltshire Records Society vol 76!
This is on bishop’s visitation enquires from 1864. It contains responses from 249 clergy. A great snapshot of local worship, dissent, education, charity etc for 100s of places in Wilts. 😁

In connection with his 1864 visitation, Walter Kerr Hamilton, Bishop of Salisbury, sent to each incumbent in his diocese a questionnaire asking under 52 heads about the state of worship, dissent, education, welfare, charitable giving and religious life generally in each parish. This edition comprise

24/12/2023

John & Louise at Hobnob Press wish all our customers, readers and followers the happiest of Christmases, and a prosperous and peaceful 2024.
Many more books are on their way for the new year!!

05/12/2023

Hobnob’s largest ever collaborative project, 1,426 pages (approximately) in five large volumes, has come to a triumphant culmination with 150 Years of Gloucester Rugby!!
This volume details every match (5,156) that the team has played since 1873, and all the Gloucester scorers, with team photographs. Taken with the four previous volumes, every aspect of the club’s illustrious 150-year history must now have been covered, by a group of volunteers, Gloucester Rugby Heritage, who have been working for much more than a decade on its archives, held at Gloucestershire Heritage Hub. Warmest congratulations to Malc King, Dick Williams, Chris Collier and the rest of the team on their perseverance and meticulous attention to detail. Hobnob was approached in 2014 to act as publisher for the project, and it has been a major and demanding undertaking for all concerned – and now successfully and magnificently completed. 150 Years of Gloucester Rugby will shortly be available, price £30, from the club premises at Kingsholm, the club’s shop in Gloucester Quays, and via the Hobnob website (ISBN 978-1-914407-63-5).

21/11/2023

We have a fabulous new book on the history of Frome. We love Frome!

The history of humans in the Frome area stretches right back to Palaeolithic times and Frome first appears as a settlement as early as the Saxon period. This fascinating book covers the entire period of its growth into an important Somerset market town. From the Stone Age to the Foo Fighters its uni

16/11/2023

Come and join us at the Central Library, Swindon on Saturday at 11 for the book launch of our fabulous new history of Swindon!!!
Meet the author & get the book signed. There will be money off on the day too!!!

Swindon, one of the largest towns in southern England, has a long, diverse and fascinating past, beginning with prehistoric and Roman settlers, and continuing as a medieval market and small town, a place of quarries and canals, and later its showpiece railway village, communal buildings and locomoti

14/11/2023

We are very excited to be launching our new history of Swindon on Saturday. But you can catch its author sooner by listening into BBC Radio Wilts on Friday around 12.30 when John will be talking to Sue Davies.

14/11/2023

We are so thrilled to be hosting the launch of Swindon Decoded, Dr John Chandler’s ‘love-letter to an underrated town.’ John will be introducing this full colour edition, which has been completely rewritten and updated, as well as signing copies. We really hope you can join us!

07/11/2023

Except to a very few scholars the name of Thomas Baskerville (1630-1700) is unknown. And yet, like Celia Fiennes, he rode 100s of miles across many English counties in the later c17, and recorded his journeys in colourful detail.
Check it out! 👇

Except to a very few scholars the name of Thomas Baskerville (1630-1700) is entirely unknown. And yet, like his celebrated younger contemporary, Celia Fiennes, he rode hundreds of miles across many English counties in the later seventeenth century, and recorded in colourful detail where he went and

07/11/2023

We are delighted to publish this history of Cleeve Hill, Gloucestershire. By well known local historian, David Aldred. Recommended!

Cleeve Hill in Gloucestershire dominates the Severn Vale as part of the Cotswold scarp and can be seen from fifty miles away. It is the Cotswold's highest point and topped by over 1,000 acres of common land. To the people of Bishop's Cleeve and surrounding villages it forms a backdrop to their lives

01/11/2023

We are very excited to publish this love-letter to an underrated town. It charts Swindon's long and fascinating past from the prehistoric & Roman to 2023. And then takes you round it to observe for yourself. By our own John Chandler. 😁

Swindon, one of the largest towns in southern England, has a long, diverse and fascinating past, beginning with prehistoric and Roman settlers, and continuing as a medieval market and small town, a place of quarries and canals, and later its showpiece railway village, communal buildings and locomoti

30/10/2023

Do you think West Swindon is a soulless urban development???
THINK AGAIN!!!
Launching in the heart of the community very soon- the book you need👇

West Swindon is a series of linked suburban centres planned and built from the 1980s to the west of the Wiltshire former railway town. But its story stretches back much further than most people realise. Way before the St. John family hunted on what is now Lydiard Park, Romans lived, made bricks - an