The River Camel, for much of its length, is arguably in the fi rst division of the most beautiful and interesting waterways in the West Country. This fascinating book, with its infectious and easily readable text, carries the reader on a colourful journey of discovery, from the river's quiet beginnings near Davidstow, through varying riverscapes, under bridges old and new, and past interesting towns and villages. Along the way the reader will discover old and new facts about ancient churches, historic houses, old inns, disused railways, archaeological sites, industrial ruins, quarrying, boat building, a cheese factory, a newly established wartime museum, a bird sanctuary and a vineyard. Following the River Camel is illustrated with over a hundred old and new images, each supported by an informative caption, carefully gathered together from old postcards, libraries and museums, and from the author's private collection. Both words and images are seamlessly stitched together into a rich tapestry, which evokes something of the magnetism of the River Camel and the countryside through which it flows to the sea. This book is certain to appeal to local residents, who either know the river intimately or from a distance, and to those new to the area who wish tofurther explore this fascinating river in all its moods, mystery and magic.
John Neale is a retired nursing auxiliary. He has lived in Launceston, Cornwall, all his life, and has always been interested in local history in all its shapes, sizes and forms. He was elected a Fellow of the Cornish College of Bards in 1988, for studies of local history and services to the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies, and collects old postcards, photographs and ephemera of Launceston. John has put together four previous captioned photo books about the county, Around Bodmin, Liskeard, Old Launceston and Discovering the River Tamar. He has also written for various national and local magazines, including Best of British, Cornish Life and Dorset Life.
