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Since the 1980s Basildon has been the subject of a number of books recounting its past and
recent history. These books all contain a wealth of factual and thought provoking information
for anyone wishing to learn more about the "New Town" and its past.
Often written by local
authors, the text is illustrated with many fine photographs, some dating from as far back as the
late 1800s.
Unfortunately, some of the titles listed below are now out of print, but there
are 'rare and out-of-print bookshops' and specialist internet websites like
AbeBooks.Com
AddALL and
BookFinder.Com
that may be of help in obtaining copies. The internet auction website Ebay is also a useful
resource. Most of these titles can also be found at Basildon
and other local area Libraries.
For anyone wishing to further their knowledge beyond Basildon,
a selection of titles from Billericay, Wickford, areas of Thurrock, and general Essex books can
be found on the local interest books menu.
The ISBN (International Standard Book Number), where
known, is listed amongst the book details for each entry. |
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Title:
A Portrait of Basildon Plotlands - The Enduring Spirit
Author:
Deanna Walker and Peter Jackson
Copyright:
©2010
ISBN:
978-1-86077-622-9
Publisher:
Philimore & CO. Ltd
Dimensions:
(H) 9 21/32" x (W) 7 11/16" (245 x 170mm). Softback in card covers.
Description:
The former plotlands around Laindon and Dunton are still held dear in
the memories of many of their former residents. Most of the grassy lanes have since been
swallowed up by new housing, but the combination of archive material with the recollections
and photographs of those who once made the plotlands their home will bring back to life the
period from the 1930s to the advent of Basildon Development Corporation in the 1950s, when the
plotland population was its highest. Although the memories of those who owned weekend huts
are included, the focus is on the permanent residents who were here all year round. They
couldn't depart for London when the mud reached the tops of their boots, the milkman's cart
got stuck in a rut, and the standpipes were frozen solid. Some had fled the London blitz but
now found themselves under attack in the Essex countryside. Material from Lord Leatherland's
estate shows how the Parish Invasion Committee helped plotlanders prepare for possible
invasion and even held an exercise to test their preparations. Coverage includes plotland
lanes in the west of Laindon, an area that has received little attention so far. Documentary
evidence reveals just how the Corporation tackled the thorny question of 'what to do with the
shack dwellers'. For the unmade roads lined with self-built bungalows were home to those
who coped without the basic mains services that were generally being taken for granted. Other
hazards included adders, bulls, spiders in the loo, vicious dogs, disappearing bread, shotgun
pellets and arson attacks. And yet the plotlands inspire enormous nostalgia, and those who
recall with pleasure the hot tea and blackberries they once enjoyed here will find a great
deal in this delightful book to amuse them. 160 pages with many b/w and colour illustrations.
Related Website Link:
Phillimore book publishers
[http://www.phillimore.co.uk] |
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Title:
From Corn to Cordite
The Story of the British Explosives Syndicate Pitsea
Author:
John Williams
Copyright:
©2010
ISBN:
None
Publisher:
John Williams
Dimensions:
(H) 8" x (W) 11½" (210 x 295mm). Ring Bound PVC covers.
Description:
The rise and fall in prosperity of the factory at Pitsea near Canvey
Island in Essex is described and gives a national picture of the industry in general up to and
from World War One to the 1920's. The book is the history of a small company in a backwater that became
Wat Tyler Park. There are many references to the Local history of Pitsea, Vange and
Essex. 550 pages with many b/w and colour illustrations.
Related Website Link:
From Corn to Cordite New Website
[http://corntocordite.weebly.com]
From Corn to Cordite Old Website
[http://corntocordite.vpweb.co.uk] |
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Title:
This Is Basildon
Author:
Michael Healy
Copyright:
©2009
ISBN:
978 1848762 541
Publisher:
Troubador Publishing Ltd
Dimensions:
(H) 8½" x (W) 5½" (217 x 140mm). Softback in card covers.
Description:
This is Basildon is predominantly a local history book that
focuses heavily on the present day. Chapters are divided into 4 main sections – 'History',
'Community', 'Things to Do & See' and 'Famous/Successful Basildonians', each of which contains
fresh, new and interesting information. The majority of the content is not featured in any
previous publication. 191 pages with many contemporary colour illustrations.
Related Website Link:
Michael Healy's Basildon Book Website
[http://www.thisisbasildonbook.co.uk] |
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Title:
Memories of Basildon
Author:
Jim Reeve
Copyright:
©2006
ISBN:
0-7524-3819-0
Publisher:
Tempus Publishing Limited
Dimensions:
(H) 9¼" x (W) 7 17/32" (235 x 166mm). Softback in card covers.
Description:
127 pages of personal recollections. Fully illustrated with 101 black and white photographs.
Related Website Link:
Tempus Publishing
[http://www.tempus-publishing.com] |
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Title:
Basildon - A History & Celebration
Author:
Mara Cottrell
Copyright:
©2005
ISBN:
1-84589-194-5
Publisher:
The Francis Frith Collection®
Dimensions:
(H) 10" x (W) 7 5/8" (254 x 193mm). Hardback in dust jacket.
Description:
120 page history of Basildon. Illustrated with photographs taken from the Francis Frith Collection which had previously been available
in postcard form from the 1950s. Supplemented with the author's own modern photographs.
There are still a few remaining copies of this book available to purchase.
It is priced at
£15.99 plus £2.00 postage and packing.
For information on how to purchase this book please
contact the author. |
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Title:
So You Think You Know? Basildon - A Quiz & Miscellany
Author:
Mara Cottrell
Copyright:
©2005
ISBN:
1-84589-224-0
Publisher:
The Francis Frith Collection®
Dimensions:
(H) 8½" x (W) 6" (217 x 152mm). Hardback in dust jacket.
Description:
Ever wondered why something in your town is called the name it is? Or
where a tradition started? Containing local facts and evocative photographs sourced by the
world-famous Francis Frith Collection, this book will provide amusing and enjoyable insights
into your local history and heritage. 89 page companion book for local author Mara Cottrell's 'Basildon A History & Celebration'.
There are still a few remaining copies of this book available to purchase.
It is priced at
£8.99 plus £2.00 postage and packing.
For information on how to purchase this book please
contact the author. |
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Title:
Basildon Living Memories
Author:
Russell Thompson
Copyright:
©2002
ISBN:
1-85937-515-4
Publisher:
Frith Book Company Ltd
Description:
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Title:
Basildon Plotlands - The Londoners' rural retreat
Author:
Deanna Walker
Copyright:
©2001
ISBN:
1-86077-191-2
Publisher:
Phillimore & CO. Ltd
Dimensions:
(H) 9 21/32" x (W) 7 11/16" (245 x 170mm). Softback in card covers.
Description:
First hand account of life in and around Highbank Drive on the former
Plotland estate at Langdon Hills. Excellent attention to detail from earliest days to 1980s
decline following gradual Basildon Development Corporation takeover from the 1950s
onwards. 122 pages - profusely illustrated with over 100 colour & b/w photos, sketches,
period adverts and an area map.
Related Website Link:
Phillimore book publishers
[http://www.phillimore.co.uk] |
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Title:
Basildon: The mood of the nation
Author:
Dennis Hayes & Alan Hudson
Copyright:
©2001
ISBN:
1-84180-060-0
Publisher:
Demos
Dimensions:
(H) 8 ¼" x (W) 5 27/32" (210 x 148mm). Softback in card covers.
Description:
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Title:
A Century of Basildon
Author:
Marion Hill
Copyright:
©2000
ISBN:
0-7509-2643-0
Publisher:
Sutton Publishing Limited
Dimensions:
(H) 10 5/8" x (W) 7 7/8" (270 x 200mm). Hardback with dust jacket.
Description:
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Title:
Plotland Memories
Author:
Karen Mckay
Copyright:
©2000
ISBN:
None
Publisher:
Essex Wildlife Trust
Dimensions:
(H) 5 27/32" x (W) 8¼" (148 x 210mm). Softback in card covers.
Description:
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Title:
Britain in Old Photographs - Basildon
Author:
Marion Hill
Copyright:
©1999
ISBN:
1-84015-268-0
Publisher:
Sutton Publishing Limited
Dimensions:
(H) 9 5/8" x (W) 6¾" (244 x 171mm). Softback in card covers.
Description:
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Title:
The Ford Tractor Story Part 2:
Basildon to New Holland 1964-1999
Author:
Stuart Gibbard
Copyright:
©1999
ISBN:
0-9533651-6-6
Publisher:
Old Pond Publishing
Description:
Following on from part one: Dearborn (U.S.A.) to Dagenham (U.K.)
1917-1964, the Ford Tractor story continues as Ford move their tractor production to a new
purpose built plant at Cranes Farm Road, Basildon. This book has 224 pages & 380 photographs.
Related Website Link:
Old Pond Publishing
[http://www.oldpond.com] |
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Title:
Basildon
Author:
Peter Lucas
Copyright:
©1991
ISBN:
0-85033-749-6
Publisher:
Phillimore & CO. Ltd
Dimensions:
(H) 9¾" x (W) 7½" (252 x 190mm). Hardback with dust jacket.
Description:
Peter Lucas's 3rd book about Basildon. 144 pages and 98 illustrations. |
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Title:
Portrait of Dunton the Lost Village
Author:
Ivy Titchen & Sheila Mountfort
Copyright:
©1988
ISBN:
0-9513951-0-6
Publisher:
Ivy Titchen & Sheila Mountfort
Description:
The history of Dunton Wayletts its buildings and its people from
earliest times to the present and the decline of Dunton's main amenities. With photographs
and illustrations. |
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Title:
When Basildon was farms and fields
Author:
Jessie K. Payne
Copyright:
©1987
ISBN:
0-86025-416-X
Publisher:
Ian Henry Publications Ltd
Dimensions:
(H) 9½" x (W) 6½" (240 x 165mm). Softback in card covers.
Description:
64 pages and 55 photographs. |
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Title:
Brink of Despair - Basildon 1915-1986
Author:
George Ross
Copyright:
©1986
ISBN:
0-948706-02-3
Publisher:
George Ross
Dimensions:
(H) 8 5/16" x (W) 5 27/32" (272 x 148mm). Softback in card covers.
Description:
George Ross was chairman of the Residents Protection Association for 20
years, and Laindon resident from 1924. He and others campaigned for freehold rights and
adequate compensation on behalf of property owners compulsory purchased during the development
of Basildon new town. This is a detailed account of those times, as well as being of great
historical interest in the development of Laindon between 1915 and 1986. |
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Title:
Basildon - Birth of a City
Author:
Peter Lucas
Copyright:
©1986
ISBN:
0-948706-01-5
Publisher:
Peter Lucas
Dimensions:
(H) 8 7/32" x (W) 5 7/8" (209 x 148mm). Softback in card covers.
Description:
Peter Lucas's follow up to 'Behind the Headlines' traces Basildon's
history & development from the Master Plan of 1951 to the mid 1980s. At 222 pages with 150
photographs, it also includes another chapter on life in Basildon during World War Two. |
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Title:
Basildon - Behind the headlines
Author:
Peter Lucas
Copyright:
©1985
ISBN:
0-948706-00-7
Publisher:
Peter Lucas
Dimensions:
(H) 8 3/16" x (W) 5 15/16" (208 x 150mm). Softback in card covers.
Description:
Laindon born Peter Lucas recounts his days as a journalist/reporter with
various Basildon newspapers over a 20 year period, witnessing first hand the development of
Basildon as a New Town. 217 pages; fully illustrated with 145 black & white photographs. |
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Title:
Arcadia for All
The Legacy of a Makeshift Landscape
Author:
Denis Hardy & Colin Ward
Copyright:
©1984
ISBN:
0 907123 59 7
Publisher:
Five Leaves Publications
Description:
New edition published 2004. Detailed account of plotland settlements
with chapter on South Essex and Laindon and Pitsea. 308 pages, fully illustrated.
Related Website Link:
Five Leaves Publishing
[http://www.fiveleaves.co.uk] |
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Title:
Langdon Hills Country Park
Author:
C.J. Glover
Copyright:
©1983
ISBN:
None
Publisher:
Essex County Council
Description:
A complete guide to the rural parkland found at Langdon Hills & One Tree Hill. |
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Title:
A Plotland Album - The story of the Dunton Hills Community
Author:
Basildon Development Corporation
Copyright:
©1983 (May), Second edition October 1984
ISBN:
None
Publisher:
Basildon Development Corporation
Dimensions:
(H) 7 7/8" x (W) 8¼" (200 x 210mm). Softback in card covers.
Description:
The history and origins of the Dunton Hills estate. Fully illustrated with over 50 B/W photographs and
a Plotland Trail pamphet in the rear sleeve.
Originally priced 75p. |
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Title:
Basildon - A Pictorial History
Author:
Jessie K. Payne
Copyright:
©1981
ISBN:
0-85033-366-0
Publisher:
Phillimore & CO. Ltd
Dimensions:
(H) 9¾" x (W) 7½" (252 x 190mm). Hardback with dust jacket.
Description:
96 pages with 165 illustrations. |
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Title:
Buses in Basildon
Author:
David Domin
Copyright:
©1970
ISBN:
901307-05-X
Publisher:
The Omnibus Society
Description:
The story of Eastern National bus services in Basildon from 1956 to 1970. |
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