The Gloucestershire town of Cirencester has a rich and diverse history
dating back to Roman times when, known as Corinium, it was the second
largest settlement outside London. Today, apart from its heritage many
visitors are drawn here by the townʼs enviable location amid the
glorious Cotswold countryside. In Lost Cirencester, author Robert
Heaven, who writes for the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Standard,
offers a fascinating visual ride though the last 100 years of the townʼs
history. Here is a snapshot of life as it was, before and after the
wars. Through a series of archive black-and-white and colour images,
readers can discover the buildings and streets that were once here;
places of recreation and worship; parks that have changed; and
activities that were, at one time, popular but which today few can
remember. The book provides a reminder of the mop fairs and carnivals
that enthralled the people of Cirencester and gives an insight into the
lesser-known spectacles such as the flying circus and high-wire acts
that once visited the town. Also included are the associations and clubs
that held the community together in the good times as well as the bad.
The unsung heroes and the locally famous people will also be
represented - individuals who were once so familiar but are now names
etched on headstones. This engrossing visual chronicle, revealing the
changing face of Cirencester, will be of interest to residents and
visitors alike.
