We have published well over a hundred books since our initial 1981 bestseller, George Power's Hanged for a Sheep. Over a hundred titles later, we congratulate ourselves on designing and releasing a few (minor?) masterpieces: Brian Cooper's Transformation of a Valley (actually first a Heinemann book), Lilian McCrea's First Loves,Geoff Dawes' saucy and Chaucery The Crich Tales, Brian Robinson's Walls across the Valley (now almost unobtainable and fetching over a hundred pounds) and Sam Dunkerley's Robert Bakewell Artist Blacksmith. Other bestsellers bestsold: Wolverson Cope's Geology Explained in the Peak District(a revised edition of the David & Charles original), Gerald Phizackerley's editing of The Diaries of Maria Gyte of Sheldon(a "sleeper" that may one day be filmed) and Norman Taylor's Family Walks in the White Peak , a title we generalised to found the FAMILY WALKS series of over 50 titles across England and Wales. Dave has been trying to give up publishing now for several years. Luxuries shouldn't involve so much stress!
This is easier said than done, as reputation lags a decade or so behind achievement. Three new books are now available:
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HERE IS SOME BUMPH, in need of much re-formatting, but better than nothing in the meantime???
PEDAL POWERED PLANES
This new book by Keith Sherwin provides a fascinating insight into human powered flight. To emulate the birds and fly using only human power has been a long held dream. The actual realisation of this dream requires planes with efficient wings, a fit pilot and lightweight structures. Typically, the weight of such a plane is less than that of the pilot.
From the early days when machines were built by fixing wings to bicycles the aim has been to improve performance. This has resulted in a wide range of different designs. Some of the more sophisticated have wing spans greater than that of Concorde. There have even been ‘twin-engined' planes with two people on board. The result of all this endeavour is a record that now stands at 120km, three times the distance of a marathon race!
It is argued that this unique form of aviation should become a sport. This will require a new breed of aircraft. To inspire the design of such machines there is prize money totalling £150,000 to be won. Meanwhile, at grass roots level, a new competition specifically aimed at school groups has been announced. It is hoped that this will encourage the building of simple planes that are both safe and environmentally friendly.
Professor Keith Sherwin is a recognised expert in the field having first become involved with human powered aircraft when running the Liverpuffin project at Liverpool University. As a result of this experience he wrote his first book ‘Man Powered Flight' for which he was awarded the diploma of the Aero Club de France. He is a member of the Human Powered Aircraft Committee of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
About the book:
Quality (printed in Scotland!) paperback of 143 pages, illustrated with 70 line drawings and photographs.
ISBN 13: 9781900446105
ISBN 10: 1900446103
Lastly, maybe, here is a blurb of the forthcoming:
What links the Hemlock Stone, Dale Abbey, two hermitages, Alport Heights,Robin Hood's Stride, a stone circle, several hill forts and Mam Tor?
The Derbyshire Portway, an ancient prehistoric trackway, which can be traced from the north of Derbyshire to the edge of Nottingham at Stapleford connects all these places and many others.
Believed to date from the Bronze Age and in regular use until the late Middle Ages, the Portway has been followed by travelers for thousands of years as a link between the Trent valley and the High Peak.
This book describes the route northwards from the Nottinghamshire border to Mam Tor near Castleton. The journey of about forty five miles can be walked in stages or as a whole, and passes Morley, Coxbench, Holbrook, Milford, Wirksworth, Alport, Ashford and Wardlow. Much of the route is now quiet lanes or footpaths, which take the walker through some of Derbyshire's most delightful scenery, from the lush Derwent valley to the moors of the Dark Peak.
Full walking instructions are provided, as well as a detailed historical commentary. The book is illustrated with maps of each stage and a wide selection of photographs.
The Derbyshire Portway Pilgrimage to the Past - a walking guide
by Stephen Bailey
ISBN 1 900446 13 8 (thirteen digit 978 1 900446 13 6)
Price £6.95 (we can do this one post-free)
The author teaches English for Academic Purposes at the University of Nottingham and lives at Whatstandwell, in sight of Alport Heights. His interest in the Portway goes back over ten years, during which time he has walked the route extensively as well as carrying out documentary research .