The discovery of letters written by a Georgian lady in Wigton over 200 years ago has resulted in a new book.
Trevor Grahamslaw, 67, of Wigton, found the letters sent by Jane Matthews, of Wigton Hall, to her friend Jane Clarke while he was carrying out other research in the Carlisle archives.
Trevor, a photographer who has written five books about the photographic history of the Solway, said: “The letters were stunning describing the life of a genteel Wigton lady in the Georgian era.
“As Jane writes about her social life and bares her emotions in the style of another Jane – Jane Austen – I realised these letters needed to be published.”
He said during his research of the letters, he realised it would be necessary to explain Georgian society and the events which led to so many comments made by Jane.
He has written Wigton and the Solway: Times of Change.
He added: “This resulted in a full blown history of the Wigton and Solway area as I wrote 29 chapters over the following three years stimulated by Jane’s letters to cover every aspect of the Georgian period from poverty, crime and punishment to the joy of Rosley Fair.”
The 300-page book with 250 full colour illustrations will be published later this month.
The book launch will be held at Wigton Cornerstone Methodist Church on Saturday September 20 at 7.30pm.
Trevor will be in conversation with author and journalist Sue Allan and it will be followed by a book signing with copies discounted by £5 to £25 on the night.
Tickets, at £5, are available by calling or texting 07484 829018.
Following the event, the book will be for sale in locations in Wigton and at local bookshops.
