Gateshead, on the southern bank of the River Tyne, has a rich heritage and distinctive identity. It is a vibrant cultural centre in the north-east of England, home of Sage Gateshead, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and the Angel of the North. During the Industrial Revolution the town was renowned for its shipbuilding and ironworking industries, fed by nearby collieries, and it also pioneered the development of wire rope and the electric light bulb. Celebrating Gateshead chronicles the proud heritage of Gateshead, its important moments and what draws so many to this vibrant town today,...

Swansea’s history goes back to the foundation of a Viking trading post at the mouth of the River Tawe, on the south-west coast of Wales. The town grew following the Norman conquest when it was granted a charter giving it the status of a borough. Swansea was an important port for the area and during the Industrial Revolution it became the world’s leading copper-smelting area. Nicknamed ‘Copperopolis’, it grew into Wales’ second largest town. Although copper production declined in the 19th century, other industries took over, including porcelain, mining and quarrying, leading to the...

The Lancashire city of Preston has an illustrious history stretching back to Roman times. From the thirteenth century onwards it became renowned for its textiles and it was later one of the major towns of the Industrial Revolution. Originally at the heart of the cotton industry, the town is now a sprawling university city and has achieved remarkable things. This proud heritage, a strong sense of local identity and character has given the city and its people much to celebrate throughout the centuries. In Celebrating Preston, local author Keith Johnson chronicles the significant and positive...