Taking his cue from this series’ title of ‘Through Time’, life-long Harrow resident and historian Don Walter here attempts something slightly different from the standard book of quick ‘then and now’ snapshots of his home-town. Calling upon his considerable treasure trove of old, occasionally rare, pictures as well as the invaluable knowledge gained in writing around a dozen local history books, he seeks – wherever possible – to show the actual development of the town from a largely agricultural community with its heart on Harrow Hill to today’s sprawling London Borough.
Though he leaves little doubt about his own feelings on many of the changes depicted, readers can still enjoy the undoubted pleasure of making up their own minds on whether the gains of the twenty-first century truly outweigh the losses of a more characterful, individualistic past. En route, they can also look forward to learning much that is new, surprising and entertaining about a largely unique place – one which the author is still proud to call his home.
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