We are delighted to report that the book won first prize in the prestigious Alan Ball Award for best local history book. The judges commented:

The judges thought the book Bremhill Parish Through The Ages was beautifully produced and especially noted the brilliant design and illustrations by John Harris and Steve Harris, in addition to the clear photographic reproduction. They thought that the book through its design, illustrations, maps, text and overall approach provided a wide range of entry points that made it accessible to different audiences. They especially enjoyed the contents summary in the preface, timeline and the chapter headings / themes. In particular they cited the case studies, which not only uncovered some fascinating and intriguing stories, but enabled you to place them in a wider historical context while also drilling down in more detail. This approach they felt ensured an easy flow throughout the rest of the wider narrative within each chapter. It enabled the reader to just ‘drop in’ to a particular theme or story, and keep coming back to the book, without having to necessarily read from beginning to end (though of course that is also easily done as well). The judges also appreciated the inclusion of references to the diverse nature of some of the communities, especially with regard to churches, chapels and religion, including e.g. the Leonora Casey Carr and Harriet Maynard; and also the Vanzillotti family following the Second World War.

Overall the judges thought the book was brilliantly researched and written, full of detail, focusing on local history but all the time placing it within a national context. From a practical point of view they also thought that notations, references and indexing was thorough.

As we said in the information about the award, the judges also look at the story behind the publications and they appreciated the involvement of the local community in helping to research and produce the book and how it also relates to the Victoria County History.

In short as two judges similarly remarked “If I wanted to write and produce a Local History book this would be it.”

Everyone felt the book and the whole approach of the wider project could provide a template for other parishes to follow, although we have seen a wide range of publications that bring their own uniqueness. In the end the judges could not separate it from another excellent publication The Picture of Yarmouth: 200 Years of Built Heritage that set out to do something different from Bremhill and it was fascinating for the judges to view the different approaches and content focus of the respective publications.

It is really pleasing to achieve such public recognition, and testament to the hard work of Louise, John and Steve and all the volunteers who contributed to the research and writing of the book.