21st November 2022
We have just published a revised and updated version of Christine Richardson’s book Stone to London.
Christine Richardson is a lifelong waterways enthusiast. She is the author of many books and guides on the northeastern waterways of Britain. She has undertaken 35 years of research into the history of the pioneering era of canals in the third quarter of the 18th century. An active member of the Chesterfield Canal Trust she played a major role in the restoration of the historic Thorpe and Turnerwood lock flights.
On 16th October 1834, a massive fire reduced almost all the old Houses of Parliament to a mound of ashes.
This is the story of the construction of the current Houses of Parliament after the destruction by fire in 1834 of the previous buildings – especially the selection of the stone, and the problems of transporting it from Yorkshire to London in the middle of the nineteenth century.
The suitable stone was found in a quarry at Anston in South Yorkshire. The transport used was by water, starting on the Chesterfield Canal and proceeding via the river Trent, the Humber, the North Sea and the Thames.
The Victorians wanted the new building to be worthy of the world’s most powerful and influential nation – but mistakes were made in their hurry to complete the project.
Christine’s research is meticulous and this book, first published in 2007, is recognised as the authoritative study on the subject.
The book has 36 pages with lots of photographs old and new and maps in full colour..
It costs £5 and is available from our shop at Hollingwood Hub.
Alternatively you can get it from our website shop, click here.
ISBN 9781999946531
If you have not already snapped up a copy, don’t forget Christine’s other book that we have republished recently – Chesterfield Canal History Nuggets.