2009-2010 Publications
The Life and Letters of William Lisle Bowles, Poet and Parson, 1762-1850, by Robert Moody. This is the first full-length biography of William Lisle Bowles, considered by many to be the father of the Romantic poets who flourished at the end of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth centuries. His Fourteen Sonnets, Elegiac and Descriptive, written during a Tour was published in1789 and the subsequent editions were read with delight by Coleridge, Wordsworth, Lamb and Southey who acknowledged Bowles’s influence on their own poetry. As the incumbent of Bremhill in Wiltshire, his friendship with the Marquis of Lansdowne at nearby Bowood brought him into contact with many of the celebrities of the day, including the Irish poet Thomas Moore, whose affectionate and frank references to Bowles in his letters and journals enable the reader to obtain a rare insight into his friend’s character. Bowles’s edition of the works of Alexander Pope resulted in a war of words with Byron and others in the literary world, and his many other publications reveal the depth of his knowledge and talents. Further, the account of his day-to-day activities as a country clergyman and magistrate, and later as a canon residentiary of Salisbury Cathedral, tells much of the character of this kindly, and often eccentric, Wiltshire parson. August 2009, 235 x 155mm, x, 407 pages, illustrated paperback, £17.50, ISBN 978-1-906978-02-0. 
A Tour in Search of Flint, by A Pedestrian (a.k.a. Nick Cowen) is the second adventure story in the Henry Chalk series presented in a format that was very common to the bookshelves of two centuries ago; a tour recounted in a series of letters and published anonymously. It is now May 1808 and the young pedestrian tourist is again at large in south Wiltshire where all paths and turnpikes lead to adventure. With antiquarians intent upon opening every prominent barrow in the chalk landscape, Henry Chalk is drawn to the less conspicuous signs of ancient occupation. Somewhere there exists a source of high quality flint that was essential to the everyday life of our ancient ancestors and so Henry’s search begins. August 2009, 210 x 125mm, xiv, 207pp, illustrated paperback, £8.95, ISBN 978-0-946418-75-6. 
A Tale of Two Chilmarks: England to New England, by Iona Sinclair, illustrations by John C Atkinson. First published in 1994, this light-hearted history of the Massachusetts village and its English namesake has long been out of print. Describing it in the Vineyard Gazette, Anthony K van Riper, poet and author, wrote: ‘. . . a charming history of the two Chilmarks. Written with the smooth craft that distinguishes such English prose, this small volume is a light-hearted look at both the village we know and the village which gave our Chilmark its name. The book is much enhanced by the amusing line drawings of John Atkinson, whose work reminds us that history is not always for those who take themselves too seriously! If you want your history on the light side, this is the book for you.’ Revised and redesigned edition of this hugely enjoyable account. June 2009, 235 x 170mm, 86 pages, many illustrations, paperback, £8.95, ISBN 978-1-906978-11-2.
Sarum Chronicle 8, 2008.The eighth annual issue includes papers on Fisherton Gaol, by Trevor Wright; Thomas Hardy in Salisbury, by Hugh Thomas; Amesbury Carnivals, by Peter Goodhugh; the sculptor R C Lucas, by David Richards; William Bird Brodie, by Jane Howells; two neglected early maps of the Salisbury countryside, by John Chandler; and shorter contributions. March 2009, 64 pages, illustrated, paperback, £4.50, ISBN 978-0-946418-77-0.
A History of Chippenham, from Alfred to Brunel, by Richard Baines, edited by Tony Pratt, Mike Stone and Kay Taylor. Chippenham in Wiltshire grew from a royal foundation into a bustling medieval market town, and received its borough charter in 1544. Its economy has always been strongly linked to agriculture, with ties to landed gentry and the church. In this authoritative new history Richard Baines charts its history and development from Saxon origins up to the coming of the railway. Topics described include the beginnings of the textile trade, the effect of the dissolution of nearby monasteries, the evolving civic government and the town’s MPs. The approach and consequences of the Civil War, the growth of nonconformity, early transport history, a rich architectural heritage, and Chippenham’s links with the authors John Aubrey and John Britton are also explored in this fascinating account of an important country town, which is set to become the standard text book for many years. February 2009, 240 x 170mm, x, 160pp, illustrated paperback, £12.95, ISBN 978-0-946418-76-3.
Inspired by Stonehenge, a celebration of the weird and wonderful, by Julian Richards. The well-known archaeologist and television presenter has for many years collected ‘Stonehengiana’, such as souvenir china, postcards and guidebooks, clothing, stamps, comics, horse brasses, music and film, relating to the iconic monument. This full-colour booklet accompanies a National Lottery funded touring exhibition, ‘Inspired by Stonehenge’, and has been produced by Hobnob Press on behalf of Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum. From toasting fork to snow globe, via Druids, dominoes and heavy rock music, this is an amazing compilation of the tasteful, hideous and bizarre. May 2009, 210 x 210mm, 32pp full colour illustrations throughout, paperback, £4.95, ISBN 978-0-946418-55-8.
The Reflection in the Pond: a Moonraking Approach to History, by John Chandler.Sequel to The Day Returns (Ex Libris Press, 1998) this collection of essays and anecdotes, many published here for the first time, is designed as an entertainment for ‘Moonrakers’ (Wiltshire natives) and their friends, but also as a demonstration of the wide-ranging and sometimes surprising links between local history, in Wiltshire and beyond, and literature, music, biography, government, landscape and society. A must for anyone interested in Wiltshire or local history generally, and for all who have enjoyed John’s books, articles, and quirky contributions to magazines and local radio. Foreword by Joseph Bettey. July 2009, 210 x 148mm, x, 288pp, ills and maps, paperback, £12.95, ISBN 978-1-906978-08-2
Traumas and Tanks: a Child's War, written and illustrated by Tony Garnett. As the bombs start to fall over southern England the Mason family try on their gas-masks and take to the air-raid shelter. Wartime life in Salisbury becomes one of shortages, 'make do and mend', and tedious restrictions. When their father leaves for service overseas Tim embarks on a series of adventures, mishaps and near escapes with his brother and friends. The dangers and tragedies of war, followed by the celebration of peace, are vividly portrayed through the eyes of an impressionable young teenager in this beautifully illustrated account of momentous times, based on the author's own experience. November 2009. 244 x 170mm, 132pp, ills, paperback, £9.95, ISBN 978-1-906978-09-9.
Sarum Chronicle 9, 2009. The ninth annual issue includes papers on Anne Bodenham, a Salisbury witch, by David Richards; Dorothy Sayers at the Godolphin School, by Richard Durman; Chantry Chapels in Salisbury Cathedral, by Simon Roffey; Salisbury’s medieval landscape, by Tim Tatton-Brown; 17th-century life and strife at Salisbury Cathedral, by Suzanne Eward; the women’s suffrage movement in Salisbury, by Jane Howells; and shorter contributions. February 2010, 64 pages, illustrated paperback, £4.50, ISBN 978-0-946418-79-4
Pewsey Avon Trail, by Chris Cole. Pewsey Avon Trail takes the walker down the sublime Avon valley in Wiltshire from Pewsey to Salisbury by means of a series of ten linked waymarked walks. It has been devised in memory of Pat Beresford, a much-loved countryside campaigner and walker, by Natural England’s Living River Project on behalf of Pewsey Parish Council. Its author, Chris Cole, is the doyen of writers on walking in Wiltshire, and he describes with clear instructions and a wealth of information the memorable places and sights encountered on the way. Sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund. May 2010, 104 pages, full colour throughout, illustrated, maps, paperback, £8.95. ISBN 978-0-946418-83-1.
Coming Soon
Birds’ Marsh, Chippenham (Chippenham Studies 1), by Stephen Hunt
The Dovecotes and Pigeon Lofts of Wiltshire, by John McCann (for Wiltshire Buildings Record)
Edington: the bishop’s legacy, by Graham Laslett [very detailed popular account of Edington Priory]
Forests of the Dinosaurs, by John Needham [study of the geology of the Vale of Wardour]
The Bath Pump Room Orchestra, by Robert and Nicola Hyman
Sarum Chronicle 10
many other titles are in preparation