AN amateur historian has written her third book about the village she has called home for half-a-century and will sell it at a community reunion later this month.

Eileen Bowerbank spent almost a year compiling Thrislington Colliery Banners and West Cornforth Snippets and Snapshots.

The 71-year-old said: “It is a close community and some people will look through it and recognise family names, discover how long their family has been in the area and where they lived and what they were doing.”

Mrs Bowerbank moved from Spennymoor to West Cornforth when she married husband Robert 50 years ago and both are active members of the community, which includes being on the community centre committee and Thrislington Colliery Banner Group.

Two previous books she had published called ‘West Cornforth People Places Past and Present’ and ‘Tursdale, East Howle, Metal Bridge and West Cornforth People Places Past and Present’ sold out.

More than a decade later she was persuaded to compile another book which includes photographs and facts ranging from farms and a water corn mill in 1727 to the new primary school which opened this year. (2016)

It looks at the area’s mining heritage, including Thrislington Colliery which operated from 1867 to 1967, and street names including Paddy’s Row which was named after Irish immigrants that moved to the area for work.

She said: “I’ve spent lots of time in libraries, looking through newspaper archives and collecting pictures, people have brought things to me over the years and asked me to do another.

“It has been enjoyable to me and I hope people find it as interesting as I have.”

Mrs Bowerbank, a mother of two and grandmother of three, will sell the book at a village reunion organised by Cornforth History group at Holy Trinity Church Hall on Saturday, April 23, from 10am to 2pm.

Organiser Andy Denholm said: “This is a rare opportunity to meet old friends as well as make new friends too.

“Please bring along any old or new photographs which may have a Cornforth or West Cornforth connection, there is an opportunity to display your photographs or even your family trees.”

Tea, coffee and bacon butties will be on sale, a professional photographer will take pictures which can be bought and a raffle will be held in aid of church funds.

To donate a prize or for information call Mr Denholm on 07891-204260 or email andydenholm@gmail.com