Author Sue Gerrard releases second edition of St Helens Now and Then

The first edition, published in 2017, took readers through the first 150 years of St Helens, including the Windleshaw Chantry, the discovery of coal, and the town’s unique place in the development of canals and railways.

To celebrate St Helens becoming the 2023 Borough of Culture, the author and poet decided to release a second edition of the local history book.

The new edition covers the history of St Helens up to the present day.

Sue said: "I brought it out this year to coincide with St Helens becoming the Borough of Culture, and the book actually looks at the town right through to the industrial driver it became, but it also goes a step further and bigger than the first edition.

"It covers the update to the World of Glass and also to St Helens Futures because I wanted it to be now and up to date with what’s happening in St Helens."

The author and poet released a second edition of the book to coincide with St Helens becoming the Borough of Culture for 2023 (Image: Sue Gerrard)

The book launched last Saturday at the Book Stop in St Helens, with Sue, a former Star journalist, detailing how the second edition had a great response from those who attended the launch.

Alongside new and original photographs, the book contains poems that add a creative element to the new edition.

Sue added: "The book also has some poetry in it and that is to give credence to the fact that these poems are inspired by St Helens.

"Rather than just seeing it as a former industrial town, there’s so much that is inspirational within the town so it combines the two.

"The poems are written from the heart and it’s about my experience of St Helens."

A talk on the book will take place next Thursday, April 27, at St Mark's Lodge, Victoria Park, from 7pm till 8:30pm.

To book a place, email suegerrardevents@btinternet.com.

Tickets are £6.