2025 is a big year for us with a first and a big milestone.
The first: Westmorland I, Lonsdale Ward is our first ever #BigRedBook on that county, and is out *soon* from @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social.
The milestone: Westmorland I is our 250th #BigRedBook
Learn more and join our celebrations! 🗃️
The first: Westmorland I, Lonsdale Ward is our first ever #BigRedBook on that county, and is out *soon* from @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social.
The milestone: Westmorland I is our 250th #BigRedBook
Learn more and join our celebrations! 🗃️
Celebrating Local and Place-Based History: Westmorland and the 250th VCH ‘Big Red Book’
www.history.ac.uk
August 12, 2025 at 8:56 AM
2025 is a big year for us with a first and a big milestone.
The first: Westmorland I, Lonsdale Ward is our first ever #BigRedBook on that county, and is out *soon* from @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social.
The milestone: Westmorland I is our 250th #BigRedBook
Learn more and join our celebrations! 🗃️
The first: Westmorland I, Lonsdale Ward is our first ever #BigRedBook on that county, and is out *soon* from @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social.
The milestone: Westmorland I is our 250th #BigRedBook
Learn more and join our celebrations! 🗃️
#ComingSoon, our latest #PartnershipPublication with @hobnobpress.bsky.social.
We’re launching this in two weeks time on 12 March, and Chippenham, Our History will for a prelude to the #BigRedBook out later this year.
#Skystorians
We’re launching this in two weeks time on 12 March, and Chippenham, Our History will for a prelude to the #BigRedBook out later this year.
#Skystorians
February 26, 2026 at 2:55 PM
#ComingSoon, our latest #PartnershipPublication with @hobnobpress.bsky.social.
We’re launching this in two weeks time on 12 March, and Chippenham, Our History will for a prelude to the #BigRedBook out later this year.
#Skystorians
We’re launching this in two weeks time on 12 March, and Chippenham, Our History will for a prelude to the #BigRedBook out later this year.
#Skystorians
Our next #BigRedBook, out later this year!
The small joys of being a series editor: sending a book to the publishers.
In this case, everything you might want to know about Chipping Norton, from Domesday to David Cameron for @vchlondon.bsky.social.
And now, tea.
In this case, everything you might want to know about Chipping Norton, from Domesday to David Cameron for @vchlondon.bsky.social.
And now, tea.
January 8, 2024 at 2:07 PM
Our next #BigRedBook, out later this year!
The latest preview of work towards the first of what we call a 'Topographical' #BigRedBook for the county of Herefordshire. #Skystorians #LocalHistory #Ledbury
In the early 18th century, a strange chain of events made a farmer's wife from Dymock in Glos the lord of the manor of Ledbury, Heref. From my current research for @vch-home.bsky.social Heref not yet completed but decided to write up anyway.
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/anne-dr...
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/anne-dr...
Anne Drew: the Forgotten Lord of the Manor of Ledbury — Louise Ryland-Epton
In the early 18th century, a strange chain of events made a farmer's wife from Dymock in Gloucestershire the lord of the manor of Ledbury.
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk
July 13, 2026 at 8:53 AM
The latest preview of work towards the first of what we call a 'Topographical' #BigRedBook for the county of Herefordshire. #Skystorians #LocalHistory #Ledbury
This fascinating preview of our next #BigRedBook on Yorkshire's East Riding shows how we can connect the built environment with the documented history of a region, in this case, the Yorkshire Wolds at Nunburnholme. 🗃️
The church of St James, Nunburnholme (East Riding) may look a bit on the ordinary side but it houses several symbolic mysteries, such as the imagery of its famous Anglo-Scandinavian cross pillar. But VCH East Riding Vol XI (in press) had to deal with another, its eccentric tower arch. 1/5
June 9, 2026 at 6:40 AM
This fascinating preview of our next #BigRedBook on Yorkshire's East Riding shows how we can connect the built environment with the documented history of a region, in this case, the Yorkshire Wolds at Nunburnholme. 🗃️
Today is the day (probably the first of at least two) I spend sorting images, numbering, and captions for the next @vch-home.bsky.social #BigRedBook (this will be our 253rd).
Not my favourite task, but hugely worthwhile.
In the meantime, the teapot is full, and there are about to be biscuits. 🗃️
Not my favourite task, but hugely worthwhile.
In the meantime, the teapot is full, and there are about to be biscuits. 🗃️
April 29, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Today is the day (probably the first of at least two) I spend sorting images, numbering, and captions for the next @vch-home.bsky.social #BigRedBook (this will be our 253rd).
Not my favourite task, but hugely worthwhile.
In the meantime, the teapot is full, and there are about to be biscuits. 🗃️
Not my favourite task, but hugely worthwhile.
In the meantime, the teapot is full, and there are about to be biscuits. 🗃️
Our VCH Herefordshire project - having produced a series of excellent paperback histories over the last 15 years - are working towards the first #BigRedBook for the county in over a century.
Learn more about the project, focussed on #Ledbury, and research, by following @lrylandepton.bsky.social. 🗃️
Learn more about the project, focussed on #Ledbury, and research, by following @lrylandepton.bsky.social. 🗃️
I have a new contract for @vch-home.bsky.social in Herefordshire on Ledbury & decided to write an occasional blog to chronicle our research journey and highlight the work of Hereford VCH more broadly.
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/the-led...
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/the-led...
The Ledbury Project: A New VCH Volume for Herefordshire — Louise Ryland-Epton
I have just begun work on a new Victoria County History volume for Ledbury—the first for Herefordshire in over a century. However, before you wonder what the Victoria County History is and stop readi...
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Our VCH Herefordshire project - having produced a series of excellent paperback histories over the last 15 years - are working towards the first #BigRedBook for the county in over a century.
Learn more about the project, focussed on #Ledbury, and research, by following @lrylandepton.bsky.social. 🗃️
Learn more about the project, focussed on #Ledbury, and research, by following @lrylandepton.bsky.social. 🗃️
Our Co-General Editor, @adamchapman.bsky.social, joined us in 2013.
Since then, we have published just over 40 books and Adam has edited or co-edited 37 of them.
The most recent is our 250th #BigRedBook, Westmorland volume 1.
Join us on Wednesday to learn more.
Since then, we have published just over 40 books and Adam has edited or co-edited 37 of them.
The most recent is our 250th #BigRedBook, Westmorland volume 1.
Join us on Wednesday to learn more.
September 22, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Our Co-General Editor, @adamchapman.bsky.social, joined us in 2013.
Since then, we have published just over 40 books and Adam has edited or co-edited 37 of them.
The most recent is our 250th #BigRedBook, Westmorland volume 1.
Join us on Wednesday to learn more.
Since then, we have published just over 40 books and Adam has edited or co-edited 37 of them.
The most recent is our 250th #BigRedBook, Westmorland volume 1.
Join us on Wednesday to learn more.
NEW JOB!
We are pleased to share news from our friends at VCH Hampshire who are advertising for a contributing editor to edit, research, and write work towards the county's first #BigRedBook for over a century.
Applications close 1 October. #Skystorians #LocalHistory
We are pleased to share news from our friends at VCH Hampshire who are advertising for a contributing editor to edit, research, and write work towards the county's first #BigRedBook for over a century.
Applications close 1 October. #Skystorians #LocalHistory
Contributing Editor at Victoria County History Hampshire
Recruiting now: Contributing Editor on jobs.ac.uk. Click for details and explore more academic job opportunities on the top job board
www.jobs.ac.uk
September 11, 2026 at 12:46 PM
NEW JOB!
We are pleased to share news from our friends at VCH Hampshire who are advertising for a contributing editor to edit, research, and write work towards the county's first #BigRedBook for over a century.
Applications close 1 October. #Skystorians #LocalHistory
We are pleased to share news from our friends at VCH Hampshire who are advertising for a contributing editor to edit, research, and write work towards the county's first #BigRedBook for over a century.
Applications close 1 October. #Skystorians #LocalHistory
Excited for another #BigRedBook focused on #Pocklington in the East Riding of Yorkshire! #LocalHistory #OnePlaceStudy It’s not #Rillington but it's close. 👍😀
Right.
That's TWO @vch-home.bsky.social #BigRedBooks submitted to our friends @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social in the last few days, one for the East Riding of Yorkshire, focused on the town of #Pocklington, and the second for #Oxfordshire on the area to the south and west of Chipping Norton. 🗃️
That's TWO @vch-home.bsky.social #BigRedBooks submitted to our friends @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social in the last few days, one for the East Riding of Yorkshire, focused on the town of #Pocklington, and the second for #Oxfordshire on the area to the south and west of Chipping Norton. 🗃️
June 11, 2026 at 7:07 AM
Excited for another #BigRedBook focused on #Pocklington in the East Riding of Yorkshire! #LocalHistory #OnePlaceStudy It’s not #Rillington but it's close. 👍😀
@vchlondon.bsky.social is currently working on more than half of England's counties, more than at any point since the First World War.
In 2025 we celebrate the publication of our 250th #BigRedBook which represents histories of c.1/3 of England's places. 🗃️
In 2025 we celebrate the publication of our 250th #BigRedBook which represents histories of c.1/3 of England's places. 🗃️
#ICYMI - #Skystorians We are delighted to announce the launch of FOUR new VCH projects across England.
We now have active projects in 22 of England's counties and two of the three historic Ridings of Yorkshire.
Welcome to the fold, #Dorset, #Kent, #Lincolnshire and #London! More in the blog:
We now have active projects in 22 of England's counties and two of the three historic Ridings of Yorkshire.
Welcome to the fold, #Dorset, #Kent, #Lincolnshire and #London! More in the blog:
Four New Victoria County History Projects - On History
This blog post was written by Ruth Slatter and Adam Chapman, Co-General Editors of the VCH. The Victoria County History (VCH), is delighted to announce that its national network of place-based history...
blog.history.ac.uk
April 30, 2025 at 1:39 PM
@vchlondon.bsky.social is currently working on more than half of England's counties, more than at any point since the First World War.
In 2025 we celebrate the publication of our 250th #BigRedBook which represents histories of c.1/3 of England's places. 🗃️
In 2025 we celebrate the publication of our 250th #BigRedBook which represents histories of c.1/3 of England's places. 🗃️
This work has come about in support of the research and publication of a milestone book for us: our first for Westmorland and our 250th #BigRedBook which will be published by @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social in the autumn.
More about that here: boydellandbrewer.com/978190435658...
#VCHRedBooks250
More about that here: boydellandbrewer.com/978190435658...
#VCHRedBooks250
Some of our archive has had a little TLC thanks to our @ihr.bsky.social intern, Madison Luckey.
These before/after pics show how she's taken some rather battered and badly wrapped (in 1908!) research notes for Westmorland and rehomed them in lovely new envelopes and custom boxes.
#VCHRedBooks250
These before/after pics show how she's taken some rather battered and badly wrapped (in 1908!) research notes for Westmorland and rehomed them in lovely new envelopes and custom boxes.
#VCHRedBooks250
March 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This work has come about in support of the research and publication of a milestone book for us: our first for Westmorland and our 250th #BigRedBook which will be published by @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social in the autumn.
More about that here: boydellandbrewer.com/978190435658...
#VCHRedBooks250
More about that here: boydellandbrewer.com/978190435658...
#VCHRedBooks250
#ICYMI - we are celebrating the publication of our 250th #BigRedBook, and our first publication for the historic county of #Westmorland.
In September we had an event to mark this and to place the volume in the context of the series and to showcase the extraordinary work behind it. #Skystorians
In September we had an event to mark this and to place the volume in the context of the series and to showcase the extraordinary work behind it. #Skystorians
Celebrating Local and Place-Based History: Westmorland and the 250th VCH ‘Big Red Book’
People, Place and Community Seminar
www.history.ac.uk
October 30, 2025 at 10:54 AM
#ICYMI - we are celebrating the publication of our 250th #BigRedBook, and our first publication for the historic county of #Westmorland.
In September we had an event to mark this and to place the volume in the context of the series and to showcase the extraordinary work behind it. #Skystorians
In September we had an event to mark this and to place the volume in the context of the series and to showcase the extraordinary work behind it. #Skystorians
Happy New Year (again) from @vch-home.bsky.social!
The latest #BigRedBook (number 250), details the town of Towcester, defined by its Roman origins and place on Watling Street/Telford's coach road and later being bypassed by the M1.
Huge thanks to all involved.
The latest #BigRedBook (number 250), details the town of Towcester, defined by its Roman origins and place on Watling Street/Telford's coach road and later being bypassed by the M1.
Huge thanks to all involved.
What’s this? A second new book in two days?
Towcester Hundred is the eighth VCH volume for Northamptonshire, including the town of Towcester and its rural neighbours.
Available soon from @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social and @ihrlibrary.bsky.social.
#Skystorians #LocalHistory
Towcester Hundred is the eighth VCH volume for Northamptonshire, including the town of Towcester and its rural neighbours.
Available soon from @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social and @ihrlibrary.bsky.social.
#Skystorians #LocalHistory
January 7, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Happy New Year (again) from @vch-home.bsky.social!
The latest #BigRedBook (number 250), details the town of Towcester, defined by its Roman origins and place on Watling Street/Telford's coach road and later being bypassed by the M1.
Huge thanks to all involved.
The latest #BigRedBook (number 250), details the town of Towcester, defined by its Roman origins and place on Watling Street/Telford's coach road and later being bypassed by the M1.
Huge thanks to all involved.
Congratulations to @vch-home.bsky.social @wiltshistory.bsky.social on the official launch of the Chippenham volume. Look forward to seeing the latest #BigRedBook on our shelves at the History Centre.
#history #research #archives
#history #research #archives
We had a wonderful evening yesterday celebrating the publication of the @vch-home.bsky.social (VCH) Volume 20: 'Chippenham and Its Environs' at Chippenham Museum. Thank you to all who came!
July 12, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Congratulations to @vch-home.bsky.social @wiltshistory.bsky.social on the official launch of the Chippenham volume. Look forward to seeing the latest #BigRedBook on our shelves at the History Centre.
#history #research #archives
#history #research #archives
Why the @somersetccc.bsky.social museum?
As we'll show in a forthcoming #BigRedBook, the county cricket ground in #Taunton occupies the last surviving structure from the town's medieval priory complex.
As we'll show in a forthcoming #BigRedBook, the county cricket ground in #Taunton occupies the last surviving structure from the town's medieval priory complex.
*VISIT*
Somerset County Cricket Ground and Museum
Friday 19th September
2.30pm
Booking essential as the group is limited to 25 - please book with SANHS via email office@sanhs.org or call 01823 272429
Full details: sanhs.org/event/sanhs-...
Somerset County Cricket Ground and Museum
Friday 19th September
2.30pm
Booking essential as the group is limited to 25 - please book with SANHS via email office@sanhs.org or call 01823 272429
Full details: sanhs.org/event/sanhs-...
September 5, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Why the @somersetccc.bsky.social museum?
As we'll show in a forthcoming #BigRedBook, the county cricket ground in #Taunton occupies the last surviving structure from the town's medieval priory complex.
As we'll show in a forthcoming #BigRedBook, the county cricket ground in #Taunton occupies the last surviving structure from the town's medieval priory complex.
#HistoryJob - just a reminder that our colleagues in VCH Herefordshire are looking for *two* contributing editors to bring their first #BigRedBook for over 100 years to fruition.
Details in the link, applications close on 10 October.
Details in the link, applications close on 10 October.
Contributing Editors at The Herefordshire Victoria County History Trust
Apply for the Contributing Editors role on jobs.ac.uk, the top job board for academic positions in higher education. View details and apply now.
www.jobs.ac.uk
September 30, 2025 at 10:24 AM
#HistoryJob - just a reminder that our colleagues in VCH Herefordshire are looking for *two* contributing editors to bring their first #BigRedBook for over 100 years to fruition.
Details in the link, applications close on 10 October.
Details in the link, applications close on 10 October.
As well as being a fantastic book from VCH Oxfordshire, this is also a personal milestone for me as it’s the first #BigRedBook I’ve been part of the editorial team for. Always a pleasure to work with @adamchapman.bsky.social - thank you for the editorial advice!
A treat for us is the arrival of advance copies of our latest #BigRedBook, Oxfordshire vol. 21, covering the town of Chipping Norton and its neighbourhood.
Want to learn more? boydellandbrewer.com/978190435657...
Like that? Get 25% off until 31 Jan - enter code BB003 at the checkout. 🗃️
Want to learn more? boydellandbrewer.com/978190435657...
Like that? Get 25% off until 31 Jan - enter code BB003 at the checkout. 🗃️
September 23, 2024 at 10:31 AM
As well as being a fantastic book from VCH Oxfordshire, this is also a personal milestone for me as it’s the first #BigRedBook I’ve been part of the editorial team for. Always a pleasure to work with @adamchapman.bsky.social - thank you for the editorial advice!
We suspect that an author has put this detail in on purpose. It's worked.
Just one of the details - along with huge scale medieval landscape management, the town of Pocklington, and the edge of the East Riding Wolds - will feature in the next #BigRedBook for Yorkshire, out next year. #Skystorians
Just one of the details - along with huge scale medieval landscape management, the town of Pocklington, and the edge of the East Riding Wolds - will feature in the next #BigRedBook for Yorkshire, out next year. #Skystorians
From today's editing. In Bishop Wilton (inevitably in Yorkshire, @lvhicks.bsky.social):
'An early cricket challenge match for a purse of £20 was played at Garrowby New Inn on 4–5 December 1834.'
Cricket in April is challenging enough. On the Wolds in Advent? Over two days?! Respect.
'An early cricket challenge match for a purse of £20 was played at Garrowby New Inn on 4–5 December 1834.'
Cricket in April is challenging enough. On the Wolds in Advent? Over two days?! Respect.
October 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM
We suspect that an author has put this detail in on purpose. It's worked.
Just one of the details - along with huge scale medieval landscape management, the town of Pocklington, and the edge of the East Riding Wolds - will feature in the next #BigRedBook for Yorkshire, out next year. #Skystorians
Just one of the details - along with huge scale medieval landscape management, the town of Pocklington, and the edge of the East Riding Wolds - will feature in the next #BigRedBook for Yorkshire, out next year. #Skystorians
#NewBook news!
We're delighted to share the news that our latest (252nd) #BigRedBook is available with a discount of 25% until 31 August from @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social.
Wiltshire vol. 20, Chippenham and Environs, available now. #Skystorians
Enter the code: BB132 at checkout.
We're delighted to share the news that our latest (252nd) #BigRedBook is available with a discount of 25% until 31 August from @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social.
Wiltshire vol. 20, Chippenham and Environs, available now. #Skystorians
Enter the code: BB132 at checkout.
A History of the County of Wiltshire
This volume, the first to be published in the VCH Wiltshire series since 2011, presents histories of Chippenham and six adjacent parishes, Bremhill, Christian Malford, Hardenhuish, Kington Langley, Ki...
boydellandbrewer.com
July 15, 2026 at 9:05 AM
#NewBook news!
We're delighted to share the news that our latest (252nd) #BigRedBook is available with a discount of 25% until 31 August from @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social.
Wiltshire vol. 20, Chippenham and Environs, available now. #Skystorians
Enter the code: BB132 at checkout.
We're delighted to share the news that our latest (252nd) #BigRedBook is available with a discount of 25% until 31 August from @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social.
Wiltshire vol. 20, Chippenham and Environs, available now. #Skystorians
Enter the code: BB132 at checkout.
And today we launch our latest VCH #PartnershipPublication, in association with @hobnobpress.bsky.social, ‘Chippenham, Our History’ which brings some of the research underpinning our forthcoming #BigRedBook to - we hope - a wider audience. 🗃️
Chippenham Our History, by John Chandler — Hobnob Press
Chippenham, one of the largest towns in Wiltshire, was an important royal possession in the Anglo-Saxon period, and grew around its river crossing on the route between Bristol and London. As well as a...
www.hobnobpress.co.uk
March 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
And today we launch our latest VCH #PartnershipPublication, in association with @hobnobpress.bsky.social, ‘Chippenham, Our History’ which brings some of the research underpinning our forthcoming #BigRedBook to - we hope - a wider audience. 🗃️
New blog from our friends @wiltshistory.bsky.social looking at the fight against the Corn Laws in Wiltshire looking forward to the publication of our #BigRedBook on Chippenham and its neighbourhood, due out from @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social in just a couple of months. #Skystorians
Lucy Simpkins and the Fight Against the Corn Laws — Wiltshire Victoria County History
In the 1840s, farm labourers and their families in the villages around Chippenham faced dire circumstances. Low wages and high food prices had created a situation in which basic foodstuffs were increa...
www.wiltshirehistory.org
April 16, 2026 at 4:21 PM
New blog from our friends @wiltshistory.bsky.social looking at the fight against the Corn Laws in Wiltshire looking forward to the publication of our #BigRedBook on Chippenham and its neighbourhood, due out from @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social in just a couple of months. #Skystorians
The latest #BigRedBook exists and advance copies are arriving.
Note that (not a unique departure for VCH, but a policy change), this book contains *contours*!
Learn more from our friends @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social!
Note that (not a unique departure for VCH, but a policy change), this book contains *contours*!
Learn more from our friends @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social!
August 12, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The latest #BigRedBook exists and advance copies are arriving.
Note that (not a unique departure for VCH, but a policy change), this book contains *contours*!
Learn more from our friends @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social!
Note that (not a unique departure for VCH, but a policy change), this book contains *contours*!
Learn more from our friends @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social!
This great little book builds on work from @wiltshistory.bsky.social towards their next @vchlondon.bsky.social #BigRedBook on #Chippenham and its envirions.
It followstwo others, an award-winning community-led history of #Bremhill, and a similar book on Kington St Michael & Kington Langley.
It followstwo others, an award-winning community-led history of #Bremhill, and a similar book on Kington St Michael & Kington Langley.
My new book out Sept! My not dull poular parish history of Langley Burell, Wilts. Lots of real life colour but published as accompaniment to the academic history of the Chippenham area undertaken as part of the @vchlondon.bsky.social project.
www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/lang...
www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/lang...
Langley Burrell and Kellaways: a History, by Louise Ryland-Epton — Hobnob Press
Through riots and revelries, poverty and prosperity, the people of Langley Burrell and neighbouring Kellaways in north Wiltshire have adapted to centuries of change. In this thematic history of the pa...
www.hobnobpress.co.uk
July 29, 2025 at 7:31 AM
This great little book builds on work from @wiltshistory.bsky.social towards their next @vchlondon.bsky.social #BigRedBook on #Chippenham and its envirions.
It followstwo others, an award-winning community-led history of #Bremhill, and a similar book on Kington St Michael & Kington Langley.
It followstwo others, an award-winning community-led history of #Bremhill, and a similar book on Kington St Michael & Kington Langley.
This is very exciting! This book is based on work towards out #BigRedBook on #Chippenham and its neighbours which, in between summer holidays, we are working towards for submission to @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social (for publication late next year).
Just received the proof of my not dull parish history of Langley Burrell, Wilts & it’s 😍. A @vchlondon.bsky.social partnership published by @hobnobpress.bsky.social. Available from www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/langley-burrell-and-kellaways-a-history-by-louise-ryland-epton
August 6, 2025 at 7:08 AM
This is very exciting! This book is based on work towards out #BigRedBook on #Chippenham and its neighbours which, in between summer holidays, we are working towards for submission to @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social (for publication late next year).