IF you have ever wanted to find out about local life in the 30s, 40s and 50s - then a new book by lifelong Great Harwood resident Winnie Bridges is for you.

Her book - Threads of Lancashire Life - tells the story of everday life and how it affected people in her hometown.

Winnie, 67, says she was inspired to write the book when she was at university.

She said: "I went to Salford University when I was in my fifties, and while I was there I did a thesis on the subject.

"My lecturer looked at it and said I could make a book out of it."

Indeed, Winnie's life has been the kind of stuff books are made of. Growing up in Great Harwood in the 30s and 40s, she worked in factories and cotton mills of the town until marrying her husband Frank in the 50s, which is where her book ends.

However, it isn't the end of the story. Winnie went on to have 11 children before she rediscovered education.

She said: "It was more of an accident really. My friend asked me to join an evening class with her, and I went along because it sounded like a change.

"And then it snowballed from there. I ended up with several GCEs, some A levels, and degrees in English and Literature!"

She wrote her first book, Educating Grandma, about her experiences as a mature student.

This second book combines personal observations and memories with historical detail collected in the course of her studies. Together they provide a unique look at the recent history of our area.

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