A rare opportunity to acquire books from the personal library of one of area’s most noted local historians, Geoff Bryant, takes place on the penultimate day (Saturday, Sept 15) of Barton upon Humber’s Heritage Open Days.

The collection of general history books will be on sale as Mr Bryant has taken the decision to reduce the size of his personal collection that he has built up over more than five decades involved in local history particularly during his time as tutor organizer with the Workers’ Educational Association.

The Heritage Book Fair will include a programme of free talks by local authors and historians as well as heritage book stalls giving those with an interest in local history the chance to delve further into the town’s fascinating history in the company of other enthusiasts as well as building up a personal collection.

Mr Bryant begins the series of talks at 11am in the Humber Room when he will highlight books published about the heritage of Barton upon Humber and their importance. He will also discuss the merits of the publications and give his recommendations for the must reads.

Three quarters of an hour later bicycle enthusiast Nigel Land will talk about Elswick Hopper Cycles, the company that grew from a small whitesmith’s business in Brigg Road in 1880to become one of the largest bicycle factories in the country with the factory based on  Marsh Lane and run from a prestigious office building at the corner of Brigg Road and Market Place.

His first brand was Ajax, first marketed in 1890 and just 20 years later the assets of a prestigious Newcastle company – Elswick Cycles were acquired. Owner Fred Hopper experienced many ups and downs over the years, but finished up employing more than 600 people becoming Managing Director of the Elswick-Hopper Cycle and Motor Company Ltd.

In Nigel’s book, Elswick-Hopper of Barton-on-Humber, the full history of cycle manufacture in the town is recorded, including the early Falcon story and that of Nigel Dean Cycles. His talk will include many photographs of the business, many of which have not previously been shown.

At 12.30pm Richard Clarke, an adult education tutor and well-known speaker and tour guide, will be talking about housing in Barton and will be presenting ideas from his publication Housing in a North Lincolnshire Town, a comprehensive study of domestic architecture during 19^th century Barton upon Humber.

The afternoon is given over to a talk by local historian Brian Peeps who, at 2pm, will be talking about Barton upon Humber shops and public houses

His illustrated talk will use images from his vast collection of historic Barton photographs and postcards that spans more than 100 years of the town’s history and this talk will concentrate on notable shops and public houses as they were and how they are today.