An Oakwood Mill Mechanic, a book milestone and a favour to ask...

Website News

I had hoped that by now I would have uploaded information about all 83 of the families. Unfortunately, due to ill health (an ever present companion of the entire process!) the progress has become somewhat glacial, with only 56 families completed.

I am still adding a few each week though, including the Moss Family at Household 52

James Potter Moss worked as a mechanic at Oakwood Cotton Mill and the family spent some time living in the cottages built for the workers. James was a member of the Mechanics Club, which met at the Friendship Inn for their annual dinner.

Elizabeth Ann Moss, their daughter, was a member of the Band of Hope, a temperance group for children that often used fear to deter young boys from drinking and young women from marrying men who drank. They also took the children on trips out.

Book News

As a writer completely new to the publishing business I really had no idea what to expect when I released my book "The Residents of Romiley Road: A History of a Cheshire Street in 1871" 2 weeks ago. Having spent some time on self-publishing spaces online, I knew that there was a very real possibility that the book would sell in the single figures, and that getting word out about a new book is very difficult. Thanks to support from a number of people who have put up posters, handed out flyers and mentioned my book on their social media, 50 copies of the book have sold in the first fortnight. I am so grateful to everybody who has bought a copy.

Now I have a favour to ask...

For those of you who have bought the book and enjoyed it, it would be so helpful if you could leave a rating or review online (places like Goodreads or Amazon). This will increase the likelihood of somebody new taking a chance on it. And please be honest - I know the book isn't perfect.

For those who haven't bought it but would like to read it, please could you ask your local library to get hold of a copy? I have tried to contact Stockport Libraries to see if they would like to stock it (or even do an event) but my emails have so far gone unanswered. I would love for more people to read the book and this would be a great way to achieve that.

I shall go and get some rest now but I'll squeeze in one final thank you to everyone who has supported me. Thank you!