Superb New Book On The History Of Burpham

Published on: 5 Sep, 2017
Updated on: 8 Sep, 2017

For good local history research you need dedication and be prepared to leave ‘no stone unturned’ in your quest.

And this is what Moria MacQuaide Hall has done in writing her new book Burpham A Gateway to Guildford, that she has just self published.

Moira MacQuaide Hall with her new history book on Burpham

At 535 pages it is a superb piece of work, detailing, in her words, “how a Surrey village grew from a rural hamlet into a busy suburb”.

Moria is no stranger to historical research. She has long been compiling her family history and in 2014 published her first book A History of Burpham Primary School 1908-2014.

In the preface of her new book she writes: “When I started selling the book [Burpham Primary School] I found that many people were remembering not only what the school was like but also what life in the village was like when they were young. It was this that started my interest in writing a book about the village and its inhabitants, and the feeling that these memories should be recorded.

Her research has taken her to places such as the Surrey History Centre, the Guildford Institute, and also meeting and talking to lots of people who have contributed snippets of information, or given her clues to look at back copies of local newspapers. She has also looked at more recent stories published on The Guildford Dragon NEWS.

It would seems that while collecting all this information she has also literally walked every street in Burpham, has looked at every building that holds some history, as well as other features round and about.

The wealth of detail in the book cannot be overstated. And what makes it such a good read is that it’s written in a style that’s both informative and captivating.

The cover of Burpham A Gateway to Guildford.

What’s more, Moira links the story of Burpham’s development with not only what was happening in Guildford at the same time – but especially in the part of the book that focuses on time periods, that of Britain’s history as well. You can even use the book as a check check list of kings and queens!

The meat of the book is Burpham through and through – pubs, Bower’s Mill, Burpham Court Farm, churches, farms and smallholdings, education, houses, transport, the Onslow family’s influence, the two world wars, Jacobs Well, Abbotswood and Ganghill, and so on, through to people’s memories and what’s going on today and even a look to the future.

The book contains numerous black and white photos and illustrations and at just £10 is a bargain indeed.

Copies can be ordered from Moira direct on 07963 756543. Or send an email to: moira.macquaide@gmail.com

It is also being stocked at Guildford Museum.

Moira will be in the audience at the forthcoming Guildford History Question Time at the Keep pub in Castle Street on Monday evening, September 11, and will have copies of the book for sale.