Knutsford's fascinating history captured in new book

‘Knutsford, Our Streets Through Time’ has been written by local historian Jenny Collis.

This is her first book and provides a fresh insight into a bygone era in Knutsford.

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From 1016 to the present day, Jenny travels through the streets of this ancient market town, showing how it looked in times past and how the town centre as we know it came about.

Knutsford author Jenny Collis (Image: Supplied)

Based on historic data, she paints a picture of what life was like in days gone by.

Jenny said: “Sense the atmosphere of the past, notice the old world character of the picturesque cottages and buildings and discover how our market town developed through the generations.

“Along the way we’ll meet a few familiar names but also learn of many other folk and the part they played in the growth of the town.”

'Knutsford, Our Streets Through Time' will be on sale at Knutsford Heritage Centre (Image: Supplied)

The book features King Street, Canute Place, Tatton Street, Minshull Street, Manchester Road, Adams Hill, Toft Road, Princess Street, Northwich Road, Brook Street and Love Lane.

Illustrations include old postcard images, mono and colour photographs. Five colour paintings have been created specifically to depict imagined life in the 19th century streets of Knutsford.

Jenny added: “Lack of much written evidence of those early days has led me to take a leaf out of the book from a number of authors who seek to ‘paint a picture’.

“So I have joined-up my local research with the laws of probability and together with that of general historical data.

“I now offer you my thoughts on how life might have looked for those early Knutsfordians.”

Jenny was born in Knutsford’s Cranford Lodge Hospital, part of the old workhouse complex.

She has maintained links with her home town throughout her life, through attending local schools, her wider family, church and work.

Jenny is an active volunteer at Knutsford Heritage Centre and produces a monthly members’ news bulletin. She gives regular talks to local groups and clubs on a variety of topics related to Knutsford.

Signed first edition copies of the book will be available at Knutsford Library on Toft Road on Friday, September 6.

Jenny will give a talk and a reading.

This is one of the events organised by Knutsford Town Council for the national Heritage Open Day Fortnight.

There will be a further book signing from noon to 3pm on Saturday, September 14, at Knutsford Heritage Centre on King Street.

The book will then be available exclusively from the centre with 100 per cent of profit donated to support the heritage centre.