Author of book on Letchworth’s history believes it is celebration of town

Letchworth Through Time. Credit: Garden City Collection (Image: Archant)

Letchworth Garden City Through Time is both a visual and written history of the town since its foundation in 1903, told through almost 100 pages of juxtaposed historic and present day photographs.

The book – which is available to buy today at the Letchworth Tourist Information Centre, David’s Bookshop and online – was written by Josh Tidy, who is the curator of the International Garden Cities Exhibition.

When he’s not darting across the town giving historical tours, or tending to matters at the community museum in The Arcade, Josh runs the show at the Garden City Institute on Norton Way South – which is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as by request.

Housed at the Institute is the Garden City Collection, containing thousands of photos of Letchworth through the ages, which Josh used at will for his first published book.

Howard Gardens. Credit: Garden City Collection (Image: Archant)

“The collection is an amazing resource here which has helped a great deal in writing the book, which hopefully will be seen as a celebration of the town,” he said.

“I basically had to go out with my camera and take pictures of each historic photo used in the book – there were some streets that I had never been to before.

“I’m very proud of Letchworth, and these images show how the town has evolved over the years.

“I found the photographs of early housing – such as in Meadow Way Green – particularly interesting, as there is still 33 per cent social housing in Letchworth to this day.

Letchworth Through Time. Credit: Garden City Collection (Image: Archant)

“There are areas covered in the book that are perhaps less celebrated than they should be so hopefully it will shed some more light on them.”

Letchworth Old Church. Credit: Garden City Collection (Image: Archant)