To order any of these publications, please complete our order form and send it to the LDHS Publications Officer, Green Oaks, The Hill, Langport TA10 9QN.
Not Just Names
Not Just Names explores the background of the men from Langport & Huish Episcopi who died in the First World War and whose names are inscribed on our two war memorials. Many local people have helped us to compile this tribute so that the men who sacrificed their lives can be remembered for their place in our community.
Published in 2018. 136pp
History Society price £15 (+£5 for postage & packing)
Hand in glove: Langport's gloving history
The glove-making industry played a huge part in the lives of many South Somerset families, but the story of Langport’s part in it has never been told. Using original research, Hand in glove shines a light on local glove-makers, the factory that was established in Bow Street, and the importance of gloving to the local community. It includes personal stories and interviews, and many photographs donated to the History Society.
Published in 2017. 80pp
Cover price £5.99. History Society price £5 (+ £3.10 postage & packing)
Civil War in Wessex
Written by an acknowledged expert in the English Civil War, this well-illustrated book tells the story of the civil war in the Wessex region. Battles, sieges and escapes are brought to life in this account, which includes a chapter on the Battle of Langport.
Published in 2015. 32pp.
History Society price £5 (+ £3.10 postage & packing)
Hurds Hill: a brief history of the family home of Walter Bagehot
After years in institutional use, Hurds Hill is once again a home. This booklet introduces the history of the house that Walter Bagehot knew and loved, and provides a glimpse of what his life would have been like. He died there in 1877, but the house stayed in the family until 1933.
Published in 2014. 32pp.
History Society price £4 (+ £3.10 postage & packing)
Langport & Huish Episcopi through time
This book includes around 90 old photographs and 90 new photographs taken of the same place or subject, together with a paragraph of text for each one describing what they are. We’ve been collecting and copying old photographs for several years, so we had a number to choose from. However, we tried to use photographs that had not been used before. Our appeal for people to turn out their attics produced many hidden gems of interesting scenes taken in and around Langport and Huish Episcopi. It can be followed as a circular walking tour.
Published in 2013. 96pp.
Cover price £14.99. History Society price £12 (+ £3.10 postage & packing)
A voice of sanity: Walter Bagehot 1826-1877
Originally published in 1996, this account of Walter Bagehot by Gordon Lee, a senior editor at The Economist at the time, has been updated and reprinted by The Economist, which Bagehot edited for many years. Lee’s essay is an excellent introduction to the man and his legacy.
Published in 2013. 30pp.
History Society price £3. (+ £3.10 postage & packing)
Kelway's Glorious: the story of a pioneering Somerset nursery
The Kelway name is world famous in horticultural circles. Kelway’s Glorious (the name of one of their peonies) traces the roots of a small family business who built an international reputation on the strength of their success as a nursery. It traces the Kelway family history, their success as plant breeders, their prize winning ways and their marketing techniques. Founded in 1851, this book was published to mark their 160th anniversary.
Published in 2011. 74pp.
Cover price £8.99. History Society price £5 (+ £3.10 postage & packing)
Level Talk
Level Talk is our annual compilation of local history articles and items of interest. The Editor is Anne Michell, to whom any contributions should be sent: [email protected].
It is distributed free to Members, usually in February or March each year. The latest issue can be purchased at any of our meetings.
Price to non-members £2.
Earlier issues can be read and downloaded on our Level Talk page.