Having been acclaimed in "Old Yorkshire" magazine as a 'must' and an outstanding achievement, Stephen Abbott's first book, "STARBECK, A journey through the past', received further accolades from the Harrogate Advertiser. Here in the area's most influential paper it was described as... "a brisk but informative trot through the centuries, all the way from the mists of prehistory when this area was roamed by Brigante tribes, via occupation by Norse landowners, and life as a scattering of cottages in the forest of Knaresborough, right through to Starbeck's status as the principle railway centre for Harrogate in the 19th and 20th centuries. Along the way Abbott throws up a remarkable fund of stories for such a small area."

In other places described as an interesting collection of antiquarian, anecdotal and social history, there is no denying that this book is exceedingly well researched.

The book includes an in-depth chronological look at the History of Starbeck within the forest of Knaresborough. Other chapters deal with the beck itself, pre turnpike routes, the workhouse and the rise and scandalous decline of the spa industry. This is the book if you want to know exactly who Henry Peacock was and what he did, about the railway influence and what Starbeck did in wartime. While explaining Forest Lane Head and the nomadic post office the book also tell us of a famous miser, renowned through Yorkshire, who despite being a wealthy man often walked miles without shoes to save on the leather. There is an account of interesting if fleeting visits by Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria, the only time she ever visited the area. And much much more, all sprinkled with old photographs, maps, and adverts for long gone businesses.

The book is available through this web site at the special price of £5 including postage from the address on the contact page, cheques payable to S Abbott.

"The Spirit of Starbeck" by Stephen Abbott is available now through web site and Landmark publishing of:
Ashbourne Hall, Cokayne Avenue, Ashbourne Derbyshire. DE6 1EJ