CHORLEYWOOD, CHENIES, LOUDWATER & HERONSGATE: a social history by Ian Foster
		December 2007 Manticore Books ISBN: 978-1-900887-10-6 248 pages hardcover 90 black and white illustrations  30 coloured illustrations and maps RRP £25.00

This well-researched and very readable book describes in come detail both the historical events and the social changes that have led to Chorleywood and its three neighbours maintaining their individualtiy despite being so close to London. Chenies with its origins going back to Roman times still has close connections with the Dukes of Bedford; Chorleywood developed from three hamlets on opposite sides of common land which today is an important community asset. Heronsgate was the first estate to be built by the Chartists in 1847 and the Loudwater estate on the river Chess has an intriguing history. 

Whether you are a local resident, a visitor to the area or if you are just interested in English social history, this book is an excellent read and a useful reference book.

“It has been a delightful read …" Oliver Phillips, former assistant editor of The Watford Observer.   " ... this is a book of scholarship and wit and is deserving of a wide readership.”  George Baker

This book is available from the publisher orders@manticorebooks.com or from the Chorleywood Bookshop www.chorleywood bookshop.tbpcontrol.co.uk.