My Bridlington cover

"My Bridlington" is a new book about Bridlington.

The book has 130 pages and about 370 photographs and illustrations showing the ever-evolving history of the town. There are photographs taken throughout the 20th Century, and even one or two in this century. It's only A5, but like the proverb says: All good things come in little packages.

The reason this book was written is simple. At the end of 2007 I'd finished retypesetting and republishing "Historical Sketches of Bridlington." Then people riffled through the pages and asked: "Where are the sketches?" There was a couple in the book, but as it first appeared in 1831 it was quite normal for it not to have illustrations.

During January and February I collated all the material - that was not too difficult as I have a hoard of ephemera about the town - and put everything down in pages.

I'm lucky, because I'm a typesetter and can create books easily. But the words still have to be written, the photographs taken and/or scanned, the pages designed and filled, and files created for the printer.

Writer and historian Mike Wilson

I obtained a price for 100 books of 120 pages and was delighted at the price. I carried on compiling the book until I had 120 pages and thought I'd finished it. But I added ten more pages.

Most of March was spent rereading, altering, correcting and updating pages. Eventually, during early April, the book was ready for the printer. As I write this the book is being printed.

On Friday, 2nd May, the book will be launched at Bridlington's Central Library, 7pm for 7.30pm. The following day I'll be signing copies at Garlands on Promenade. On Monday, 5th May, I'll be at the Tourist Office with more books to sign. Come along on Saturday or Monday and have a natter about old Bridlington - and buy a book or two!