Barrow-in-Furness grew from a tiny hamlet into the largest iron and steel centre on the world, as well as a major shipbuilding centre, in just forty years. Still home to the busiest shipyard in England, Barrow retains many of the spacious streets and fine buildings that were part of the nineteenth-century planned town, and despite changing economic factors over the years it still has much to offer resident and visitor alike.

Voices from Barrow and Furness draws together memories of life on the Furness peninsula - in Barrow itself, and Dalton and Askham, as well as the villages - from a wide range of people who have fascinating tales to tell. Among their number are shopkeepers, an MP, a vicar, an undertaker, a zookeeper, a councillor, and entrepreneur and a midwife, to name just a few.

The stories they recall, collected by members of the Barrow Oral History Group, will rekindle memories for anyone who has lived in this area for more than a few years, and will be an eye-opener for any new arrivals who want to find out more about the history of Furness. Voices from Barrow and Furness is illustrated with a wonderful selection of photographs that capture the spirit of this unique area over the past hundred years or so.

Books by Alice Leach