Guernsey As It Used To Be – is now launched!

Last Thursday saw the official launch of our latest publication Guernsey As It Used To Be: A Tour of the Town in Victorian Times. There was a great turnout at the Priaulx Library, so thanks to everyone who came along.

Blue Ormer’s Steve Foote gave a short talk about the book, which was originally written in the early 1930’s and published in 1933. Steve told how the original did not have an index or illustrations – and, although it contains many stories about the personalities of St Peter Port he had known growing up in the late 19th century, had very little about the author himself. This is all now addressed in the new edition, and – judging by the level of interest on the evening – is proving just as popular today.

Steve was joined by Peter Hugo, the author’s grandson, as well as other members of the family. Peter said, on behalf of the family, that he was delighted that the book was now back in print. His grandfather, who had been a dentist in Allez Street, had had a large family, but there were now few descendants left in the island.

In addition to the launch event at the Priaulx Library, Steve and Peter had been invited onto BBC Radio Guernsey twice during the week – on Tuesday morning with Euan Mahy and Friday afternoon with Oscar Pearson. The book was also the subject of a feature by Shaun Shackleton in Saturday’s Guernsey Press.

The book is now on sale in the Priaulx Library and other local bookshops – including the Guernsey Museum bookshop, the Lexicon, Guernsey Post Office in Smith Street and Tozer’s on the Bridge.

It is also available online here, or from amazon.co.uk.

(Many thanks to Ciprian Ilie for the photos of the evening)