A FREE local history book titled Captured Memories centres on the Habitats and Hillforts project which spans the Sandstone Ridge of Cheshire.

Compiled by two volunteers – David Joyce and Barbara Foxwell – the 120 page volume collects information of activities that have taken place in the immediate vicinity of the hillforts in relatively recent times.

David and Barbara started collating the book in 2009, visiting local groups and societies, talking to local people up and down the ridge and collecting their memories or anecdotal information that has not be captured before.

The book is available for free upon request from the Habitats and Hillforts project and will shortly be available in local libraries, visitors centres, local pubs and public venues across the project area. More information can be found at www.habitatsandhillforts.co.uk

The six Iron Age hillfort sites along the Sandstone Ridge have acted as a focal point for many activities for hundreds of years.

Their dominant positions have drawn people for generations to work or play, but little of this has been recorded.

David said: “We have been fascinated by the way seemingly ordinary activities in the county have had a profound effect.

“Take for example the small school at Delamere which became the model for school dinners throughout the country or the farm at Kelsborrow which led the way in the production of clean, uninfected milk free from TB.”

Future visitors may wonder why they can pick up spent mortar shells on a National Trust property on Bickerton Hill but this area was used for military training until 1995.

Nowadays, it is also probably unthinkable to hold motorbike hill-climbs on the listed site at Beeston Castle as happened in the 1950s.

Barbara said: “It is human nature to try and order and understand our environment and it is the knowledge of small events that can add colour and interest to a country walk. We hope that this publication will stimulate others to increase this pool of knowledge about our county.

“Many people think they have little to offer – one lady said to us “I’m not a true Helsby resident as I’ve only lived here 70 years!” Her memories, like every ones, are part of the historical patchwork which define the past and perhaps point the way for future decisions.

“Many people, national organisations, local history societies, local publications and press cuttings have contributed to the book and we are very grateful for all the assistance we have been given.”

Councillor Herbert Manley, executive member for prosperity, said: “We would like to thank David and Barbara for their hard work in creating Captured Memories. It has been a real strength of the scheme and they have been flying the flag amongst many local groups and societies to gather this information.”