A PROFESSIONAL historian is set to release a new book looking back at Milnthorpe during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

The book by the historian Roger Bingham is set to be released in the week preceding the official Jubilee celebrations, with a function at Roger's house 'The Smithy' and a celebration coffee morning at Milnthorpe church.

Roger said: "The book will also be available at other Jubilee events. This is my first book for some years as my writing was interrupted by my having treatment for cancer and by the pandemic.

"It is also partly a celebration of my 80th birthday in September. But I don’t intend it to be my swansong."

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This will be the fifth book in Roger's series called 'Memories of...' and his eleventh book overall and will contain 500 pictures - most of which have not been published before.

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Roger wanted to write the book to 'commemorate' the Queen, to give 'a brief sketch of Milnthorpe' - and as a personal celebration of his life.

The book will contain historical threads mentioning the changes that Milnthorpe and Ackenthwaite have been through.

There will be sections on churches, sports, entertainment, and fun and games, including Milnthorpe carnival and various organisations right down to Bike Boys.

The book will cost £10 and all proceeds will go to fund the improvement of the community provision of Milnthorpe Parish Church. 

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Next, Roger plans to bring out a sequel to his best selling 'The Lost Resort?: Flow and Ebb of Morecambe ' and he also wants to complete his History of Westmorland. 

Roger said: "There is an element of memoir in the book because I have lived here most of my life."

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Roger is a proud Cumbrian; he was born and raised in Milnthorpe and currently resides at 'The Smithy' in Ackenthwaite. He joined the South Lakeland District Council as a councillor in the 1980s representing Burton and Holme and joined Cumbria County Council in the 1990s.

During his political career, Roger has also held the position of chairman of Cumbria County Council and chairman of South Lakeland District Council.