Brian Lingard

BOOK LAUNCH                                                                            

Brian Lingard presents a copy of his book Special Houses for Special people to HRH The Duke of Gloucester. Royalties from the sale of the book are donated to the ABS

    

                                                                                 

Thrifty Homes for Thrifty People is the second book of a trilogy by Brian Lingard covering his work as an architect in private practice between 1950 and the 1990's in Wales and London. The first book, Special Houses for Special People, dealt with more than 100 one-off houses, which he designed and built for special families on individual sites during the 1950's and 1960's. This second book of the series looks at his work in the field of public housing (local authority, new town, housing association and housing society) during the period from 1960 to 1990.

Over 30 social sector housing projects are described and illustrated, mainly with photographs taken by professional architectural photographers at the time of occupation of the dwellings. The historical background to the immediate environment of each project is considered and the effect that this background has had on the design of the dwellings is examined. All set against the social, economic and political influences pertaining at the time.

Several themes, only loosely connected with the subject buildings, run throughout the book. One such theme concerns the limited role which architects played in the creation of the 'sink estates' of post-war local authority housing, with the blame for much of this structurally unsound and socially inept housing lying with the multi-storey flats of package-dealers and with pre-cast concrete system building, not with the architectural profession.

Problems with local planning authorities, arbitrations and the collection of fees figure amongst the vignettes associated with the photographs and sketches which illustrate each chapter of Thrifty Homes for Thrifty People. Snippets from the verdicts of Civic Trust and Housing Medal assessors in reports on their awards are quoted. Visits to the projects by Government Ministers are recalled, often with photographs of those occasions. Celebrations are recounted which followed a few of the presentations of those of the 21 Civic Trust and 7 Government Housing Medal awards given for Lingard buildings which are featured in this book. Interweaving the chapters are accounts of the changes in dwelling places for the growing Lingard family, together with records of the establishment of new offices for the practice.

Thrifty Homes for Thrifty People is a light-hearted, explicated picture book of the architecture of public housing in England and Wales stemming from the offices of Brian Lingard during the latter half of the 20^th century. As such it carries much appeal for the general reader as well as for the architectural profession.

Special Houses for Special People

Take one young architect straight out of architectural school. Introduce him to clients who have their own individual requirements. The result? Special Houses for Special People.

Brian Lingard began his architectural practice in Anglesey in the early 1950’s. It was there he began designing one-off houses for clients with specific needs. In this book he details over sixty of these houses, most illustrated by superb feature photographs taken soon after construction and all designed during the first fifteen years of his practice. 

The descriptions are brought alive by accounts of both the houses and the families for whom they were designed, all set against the social, economic and political influences pertaining at the time. 

This is a unique book. Partly architecturally historical record of house design from the middle part of the twentieth century; partly personal, light-hearted review of unusual commissions for unusual clients. As such, it is a book to be enjoyed by all those with an interest in house design and building, from professional architects and students to the general reader. 

A child of the 1920’s, Brian Lingard studies architecture at Manchester and set up his own private practice in Wales in 1950 winning many awards for his house designs. He retired from architectural practice in 1994 to live in Guernsey.

Reviews
colwyn bay civic society..

Career

RN 1944-46; served: HMS Wolverine, Gibraltar 1944-45; architect; commenced private practice 1950; ptnr: Brian Lingard & Partners 1972-93, Lingard Styles Landscape (landscape architects) 1975-, Gallery Lingard (architectural historians) 1982-98; professional awards incl: RIBA Regnl Award (Wales), DOE and RIBA Housing Medal (7 awards), Civic Tst (21 awards), The Times/RICS Conservation Award (2 awards), Prince of Wales Conservation Award (3 awards); vice-pres Architects Benevolent Soc 2002- (chm 1988-92); FRIBA 1957 (ARIBA 1949)

To order Thrifty Homes for Thrifty People:

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To order Special Houses for Special People:

Price £18.95  P & P £3.00 UK £5.50 Europe £10.00  ROW

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Order both books for £39.90

Joan Bright Astley

Many women played a remarkable part during the Second World War, but certainly few more remarkable than Mrs Astley. Her many friends in the Allied countries knew her as Joan Bright in those days – for they preceded her marriage. She performed two outstanding tasks for Britain and the anti-Nazi combination.  First, working in the office of General Ismay, who as Chief of Staff to Churchill as Minister of Defence was the lynch-pin of the British military effort, she organized and maintained a highly confidential service of information to the Commanders in the field, which enabled them to keep themselves ‘briefed’ on the secrets of what was happening or to happen. It became habitual for, say, Wavell just back from the desert to drop into Joan Bright’s information room to ‘put himself in the picture’. Thus she was able to observe from a very special angle, and on terms of mutual confidence, most of Britain’s leading men-of-war.

Secondly, as the war rolled on and the great Allied conferences burgeoned, it became her function to make in advance the ‘housekeeping’ arrangements – what General slept where, how the thousand necessities required for the domestic ordering of such affairs would be supplied, and so on. Thus again she was able to observe at close range the men taking part in the great debates – Americans and Russians as well as her own people: to become their friend and discover their strengths and weaknesses as human beings: to see the Conferences at Washington, Quebec, Teheran, Yalta, and Potsdam from the inside and at first hand.  Nobody reading this book can fail to observe those qualities of intelligence, tact and warmth of personality which placed Joan Bright in this, unique and enviable position. 

Mrs Astley was believed to be one of the three or four women who was used for the character of Miss Moneypenny. To find out more click on the links below:

Wikipedia

REVIEWS:
Telegraph Review
The Independent Review
The Times Review
Financial Times Review
The Spectator Review

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Harry Moses

The Faithful Sixth A History of the Sixth Battalion The Durham Light Infantry

The Durham Light Infantry was one of our finest County Regiments. This is the story, of the 6th Battalion DLI and of the best men from County Durham who served first as Volunteers, and later as Territorials, and who fought with such distinction in two World Wars.

Harry Moses has long been fascinated by the history of the 6th Battalion DLI and this book is the result of his many years of meticulous research.



AUTHOR

Harry Moses from Tow Law, a village in South West Durham now living in Aycliffe Village, was educated at Wolsingham Grammar School from 1941-1948. On completing his National Service in 1950 he commenced employment with Durham County Education Committee. He worked for this Authority from 1950 until 1963. In 1963 he entered Teachers’ Training College and in 1966 commenced his teaching career at Eaglescliffe Junction Farm Primary School until his appointment as Head Teacher at Aycliffe Village County Primary School in 1972. He retired on 31st December, 1993.

In the 1980s he renewed his research into Military History, particularly the First and Second World wars and the experiences of the County Regiment, The Durham Light Infantry. Harry is a member of The Western Front Association. Since 1988 he has been a part-time interviewer with The Imperial War 

Museum. 

Harry Moses received The Alan Ball Local History Award 2002 for The Gateshead Gurkhas. 

He lives in retirement at Aycliffe Village with his wife Audrey. They have two children and three grandchildren.

Reviews 

The best from gods own country

If you interested in local history then this is a must. Centred around Bishop Auckland it really brings home the pride that still exists within the county. These were Territorial and they gave there best and then more. A fantastic read. Hard to come by so get one if you can.

Anne Johnson (Middlesbrough)

Harry Moses is a Durham lad who, since retiring, has researched and then written numerous books about the Durham Light Infantry; three battalions of which formed part of the famous 50th Northumbrian Division in both WWI and WWII.
In this book Harry has included personal accounts of veterans of one of those battalions, the 6th Battalion, which brings to life the battles, what the sacrifice in terms of dead and wounded achieved, and the impact on the men involved.
Generally speaking, I don't believe that we really understand the sacrifice these ordinary and yet extra-ordinary men (and others like them) made, a sacrifice that enables us to live the life we do in the free society we have today. Read this book, then you'll understand.Fantastic read.

Thomas McAlistair

Other Books written by Harry Moses:

The Faithful Sixth A History of the Sixth Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry
For Your Tomorrow A history of the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry 1919-1955
The Fighting Bradfords Northern Heroes of World War One
The Gateshead Gurkhas A History of the 9th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry 1859-1967
The Durhams In Korea 1952-53
For You Tommy The War Is Over - DLI POWs In WWII

For Your Tomorrow A History of the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry 1919-1955

Foreword by General Sir Peter de la Billiere KCB, KBE, DSO, MC, DL.

The author has written a fine account of the history of the 2nd Battalion The Durham Light Infantry from 1918-1955. In the desperate battles in France and Burma the Battalion fought with considerable courage and added more laurels to the history of the County Regiment. 

I thoroughly recommend this book



There have been many books written about the Durham Light Infantry, not a few by Harry Moses. "For Your Tomorrow - A History of the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry 1919 - 1955" (published by The Memoir Club 2012) fills a gap in the bibliography of the Regiment, particularly the 2nd Battallion. Although other books have superficially covered the campaigns involving the Battalion during this period none have done it to the extent and depth of this particular book. Many of the campaigns have been long forgotten but Moses spares no effort in researching them. The real power of the book however lies in the recollections of the ordinary soldiers (most of whom are no longer with us). The appendices of Commanding Officers, Young Soldiers, Roll of Honour and Awards are invaluable to anyone researching this period.
 I would strongly recommend this book to everyone, not just to those with an interest in this Regiment, it is a reminder of the costs of wars and of the resilience of ordinary men doing extraordinary things.       Mr Hornsey

All proceeds from these books will be paid to the Regimental Association and Charities.

Following re-organisation in 1919 the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry sailed to South Russia, then to Turkey before moving to India in 1920. It remained in India for 16 years. On returning to England, it was part of the BEF which moved to France in 1940. During the action on the River Dyle (Belgium) 2nd Lt. Richard Annand won the first Army VC in World War II.

After suffering heavy losses at St. Venant (France) in May 1940, the survivors of the Battalion returned to England. Re-organised it sailed for India in April 1942. Involved in fighting in the Arakan and at Kohima, the Battalion added to its laurels as a fine fighting unit. Following the Japanese surrender, it sailed for Singapore and took part in the disarming of the Japanese forces. For a short period it formed the guard over Japanese war criminals in Changi Jail. Its final period of service in the Far East was back in Burma in 1947 chasing Dacoit terrorists. On returning to the UK it was placed on suspended animation until re-organised in 1952. It served in Germany until final break up in 1955.

The book covers the whole of the period of history from 1919 to 1955, particularly through the eyes of those officers and soldiers who served with the Battalion in peace and war, reinforced with over 50 photographs and 9 maps.

In an interview to The Northern Echo's Duncan Leatherdale, Harry says 

'I have been fascinated with military history since I was a nipper, especially the DLI as they are all local lads.'

To read the full article click on the link below:

Northern Echo Review Duncan Leatherdale

SPECIAL OFFER 
Buy For Your Tomorrow & The Faithful Sixth for only £20!

To contact the author direct email harold.moses034@gmail.com.

Price £14.95  P & P £3.00 UK   £4.50 Europe £7.50  ROW

Available on   http://www.thememoirclub.co.uk/   email: memoirclub@msn.com   or tel 01913735660 with card details and address

Also available from the Durham Light Infantry Museum http://county.durham.gov.uk/sites/dli/Pages/Shop.aspx or tel 01913842214

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Raymond Miquel

Business as Usual
Second Edition

In his thirty years at Arthur Bell & Sons, Professor Raymond Miquel CCMI, CBE transformed the traditional whisky distillers into one of the most successful companies in Scotland with the Bell's brand becoming a household name.

At the same time Bell's maintained a social responsibility for its workforce and local communities as well as an active policy in sport, personal development and welfare reflecting Miquel's own priorities and beliefs.

He makes no secret of his commitment to Scotland and his belief that local Scottish companies and workers can, given the leadership and direction, compete as equals with the best in the world.

The Bell's takeover of Canning Town Glass and its political implications is described along with the takeover of Gleneagles Hotel. The impact of the latter would have a significant baring on the ensuing battle Miquel had with Guinness.

Karen Cunningham tells of the intrigue and double standards throughout the Guinness bid and .the subsequent disappearance of one of Scotland's strongest independent companies.
After Bell's he looked for a new challenge with Bellhaven Brewery. After accomplishing so much in two short years Miquel was ousted before achieving his ambitious objectives.

Business as Usual
First Edition

Away from business matters the book covers his period in sports administration. As Chairman of the Scottish Sports Council he faced head on the difficulties of running a government quango.

His involvement with Lees of Scotland which he saved from administration in 1993 and floated on the Alternative Investment Market in 2005 is well documented, as is his continuing association with Glasgow University Business School.

REVIEWS click on link
Herald Scotland Review
Herald Scotland Review

Price £9.95  P & P £2.70 UK   £4.60 Europe £8.20  ROW

Available on   http://www.thememoirclub.co.uk/   email: memoirclub@msn.com   or tel 01913735660 with card details and address.

Available on the internet go to link  

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Raymond Miquel, Esq, CBE's Professional Career

Arthur Bell & Sons: joined 1956, md 1968-85, chm 1973-85; chm Wellington Importers Ltd USA 1984-85, Gleneagles Hotels plc 1984-85, chm and chief exec Belhaven plc 1986-88, dir Golf Fund plc 1989-94; chm and chief exec: Lees Foods plc 1992-2009, Lees of Scotland Ltd 1993-2009; visiting prof of business dept Univ of Glasgow 1984-; chm Scottish Sports Cncl 1987-91, govr Sports Aid Fndn; memb: Sport and Recreation Alliance 1981-, Sports Cncl 1988-91; CCMI 1981.