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THE SOCIETY PRODUCES A RANGE OF MONOGRAPHS AND PAPERS

See end of list for prices and ordering. Please note - Monographs Nos 1 - 6, 8,9,and 11 are currently out of print but a facsimile may be available, please inquire.

No 1: THE SALISBURY RAILWAY & MARKET HOUSE COMPANY William Backinsell
The Bath Stone facade in the north west corner of the Salisbury Market Place was once the terminal and only building of what had been described as the shortest standard gauge railway in the country. The venture started in 1856 with the formation of the Salisbury Railway & Market House Company and continued to operate until 1964. Apart from the facade all that remains are some scraps of the railway and a scattered assortment of documents. This monograph records the history and salient features of the undertaking, and suggest sources of information to those inclined to probe deeper.
No 2: THE MEDIEVAL CLOCK IN SALISBURY CATHEDRAL William Backinsell
Not only is the 14th century clock in Salisbury Cathedral of exceptional horological importance, it is a fine example of Industrial Archaeological interest. Quoted in almost every treatise on ancient clocks it is claimed to be the oldest working clock in existence. Whilst much has been written concerning its history, the technical significance has received comparatively little consideration. The object of the project is to record the details, and at the same time highlight those features considered to be of outstanding importance. Complementary to this monograph is an arrangement drawing which, it is hoped, will be of value to the Cathedral Authorities, as well as of interest. to those requiring more detailed information.
No 3: THE MEDIEVAL CLOCK IN AMESBURY ABBEY William Backinsell
The Amesbury Abbey clock is one of the earliest examples of English turret clock, and is believed to have been built in the 15th century for the Benedictine Abbey church. In its original form, with verge and foliot escapement, it would have been similar to the 14th century clock in Salisbury Cathedral described in SWIAS Monograph No. 2. Although both are based on the four-post external countwheel arrangement, there are important points of difference both in design and construction. The description which follows refers to the present condition of the clock with pendulum and anchor escapement.
No 4: THE AMESBURY TURNPIKE TRUST by John Chandler
The Amesbury Turnpike Trust, which existed from 1761 to 1871 was responsible for developing the most important East-West route in South Wiltshire -the modem A303 -as well as the road from Amesbury to Heytesbury - the A344/B390 -and local roads around Wylye, Amesbury and Thruxton. Apart from the usual sources for turnpike trusts, this study draws on an interesting late 18th century correspondence between the trust's clerk and the principal creditor, which helps to illustrate its day-to- day operation. It is hoped that this monograph will interest the inhabitants of Amesbury and neighbourhood, the student of road transport, and anyone who has counted the milestones during a journey along the great road to the South-west.
No 5: AVIATION IN WILTSHIRE An historical survey by Norman Parker
The early history of aviation in Wiltshire reaches back almost as far as the dawn of aeronautics in Great Britain. This monograph traces, in outline, the development of flying in the county from its inception only six years after the Wright brothers first flight, to the end of the Second World War. During these four decades nearly forty airfields had been in use, for varying periods of time; their locations are shown on the map within. Later monographs in this series will discuss the more interesting of them in detail and cover specific aviation topics such as might be embraced by the term 'Wiltshire Aero- archaeology'.
No 6; IRON PRINTING PRESSES by Walter Partridge
Iron hand presses replaced wooden presses in the early 19th century and, surviving the impact of steam and electricity, still continue in use for fine printing and village notices. Lord Stanhope invented the first iron press in 1800. The last four were made in 1940. The author amassed and used a collection at his home in Wiltshire.
8 pp A4, 9 engravings 2 line drawings.
No 7: MEDIEVAL WINDLASSES by William G C Backinsell
The towers of Salisbury and Peterborough Cathedrals and of Tewkesbury Abbey contain the remains of three very early lifting machines. They were apparently made for the construction of the towers in which they now stand and are probably the oldest of their kind in England. The machines are described and considered in the context of early lifting equipment and techniques.
8 pp A4, 7 line drawings.
No 10: MEDIEVAL ENGINEERING IN SALISBURY CATHEDRAL by William G C Backinsell
Salisbury Cathedral is a tribute to the courage and skill of its designer and builders and is the only remaining complete example of its architectural style. Yet it was built at a time when Medieval engineers were developing daringly new structural techniques and illustrates both their successes and shortcomings in surmounting the problems they faced. The author reviews the state of the art at the time and describes some of the most important technical features.
12 pp A4, 18 line drawings.
No 11: MALTINGS IN SALISBURY by Douglas Jackson
Williams Brothers Maltings covered an area of three and a half acres but are remembered only vaguely by Salisbury's older inhabitants. The buildings which stood on the site for a century and the process of malting which took place there under conditions which we would now consider intolerable are described. Though dwarfed in size by this firm, there were at least eighteen other sites in the city where malting was carried on during the past two centuries and these are also described.
16 pp A4, 8 line drawings
No 12: SALISBURY GAS WORKS Salisbury Gas Light and Coke Company by John H Watts
A history of Salisbury Gasworks with descriptions of the plant used and the personalities involved. The gasworks was the largest public utility in Salisbury and the longest lived, functioning until gas became available by pipeline from Southampton. It contained the largest building in the City. The No.2 gasholder had a greater volume than the Cathedral. The holder remains but is not now essential. When extensive repair inevitably becomes necessary, it will be demolished and the final easily recognised remnant of the gasworks will disappear.
28 pp A4, 16 photos, 3 constructional plans and 4 maps.
No 13: ONE MAN AND HIS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY REED AND MALLIK, 1937 TO 1968 by John Illston
William Edward Reed founded his company in 1937. It grew and prospered without moving from its modest base in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Examples of their work include prefabricated concrete houses and high rise apartment blocks, village halls, dams in Wales and Scotland and Bridges in Australasia. Sources include company files and the house magazine, Strongwork News, as well as Bill's widow, Mrs Brenda Reed and a number of company employees.
22pp A4, 21 photos and two drawings.
No 14: SALISBURY PLAIN PYROTECHNICS by Norman Parker
The Wessex Aircraft Engineering Company Ltd was formed in March 1933 to manufacture pyrotechnics on a site four miles north of Salisbury. It has developed from a very shaky start to be an important part of an internationally known group. On the way it has combined with five other companies in the pyrotechnics industry. It was also the source of skills used to form Wallop Industries Ltd in Hampshire. The development of the company, known as Pains Wessex Ltd since 1965, is traced by the author, who worked for the firm at High Post for many years. Much of the information and illustrations have come from company files.
14pp A4, 13 photos and 10 drawings.
No 15: EXPERIMENTAL BUILDINGS IN AMESBURY 1919-1937 by Norman Parker
Amesbury was selected as the area in which a number of smallholdings would be established for men returning to civilian life at the end of the Great War. Some 2500 acres of land were acquired by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Managed from Ratfyn Farm, there were twenty six smallholdings set out as orchards, poultry farms, pigsties or for general agriculture. The residential buildings, constructed in various experimental methods, together with reinforced concrete houses in London Road and the cinema are described.
16pp A4, 16 photos, 4 line drawings and one map, photocopy reproduction.
No 16: SALISBURY’S WATER SUPPLY 1853 - 2000 by John Illston
We just turn on the tap and expect clean water to flow out. This is so only because of the works that have been constructed since 1853, including wells and boreholes, pumping machinery, service reservoirs and a comprehensive system of distribution pipes. The development of the works, with ever deeper boreholes and higher reservoirs is charted as well as the introduction of new power sources such as steam and electricity, and of water treatments such as chlorination.
16 pp A4, 16 photos and one map.

No17. The Nestlé Company in Salisbury by John Pothecary. details the Nestlé Company and its factory, built in 1908 on the site of the old Brick, Lime and Whiting Works beside Devizes Road. It closed 75 years later and the site has since been redeveloped for housing. First known as the Hygienic Milk Company, local farmers brought their milk there in churns by horse and cart. Later Nestlés established its own fleet of lorries. The factory had machinery for handling a variety of products which it did for different companies. Originally it had its own electricity generating plant in the form of a great steam engine. The war years saw army rations produced here and goods were exported round the world. 12pp A4, 17 pictures, 1 map. Includes 3pp pictures old Nestlé labels.

No 18 High Post Aerodrome by Norman Parker. This traces the history of this grass aerodrome from 1930 through WW2 to the present, though flying here ceased in 1947. Norman Parker is an expert in the subject and the monograph is well illustrated with archive pictures of planes and buildings here, also some of the later uses of the site. 16 pages, 23 illustrations.

No.19 Salisbury Electric Light and Supply Company by Derek Coe, describes the founding of this company at the Town Mill in Salisbury in 1894 through to its close in 1970. Includes very detailed descriptions of the operating techniques, machinery and personnel involved throughout this period. 32 pages including 6 pages of original photographs and drawings.

Monograph No 20: A Short History of Greyhound Racing in Salisbury, by Kathy Garland. Based on documentary and anecdotal sources, this is the history of the short-lived existence of 2 greyhound racing tracts in Salisbury in the early 1930s. Although all trace of these has now disappeared, Kathy Garland’s researches have revealed evidence of their use, plans of their construction and the names of some of the greyhounds, their owners and the races they won.

PRICES
UK Post and Packing.
Nos 1 to 10: £1.50p each, post & packing 55p
No 11: £2.00p each, post & packing 55p
Nos 12 to 14: £2.50p each, post & packing 85p
No 15: £1.50p each, post & packing 55p
No 16: £2.50p each, post & packing 85p
Nos 17 & 18: £3.50p each post & packing 85p
No 19: £4.95p each post & packing 85p
No 20; £2.00p each, post & packing 55p
Please inquire for overseas postage by airmail.

Sorry but we are not yet able to take orders on-line. They should be posted to: SWIAS, 2 Byways Close, Salisbury SP1 2QS, UK
Payments by sterling cheque on a United Kingdom bank. To save bank charges you may be able to pay with foreign banknotes, but these are posted at sender's risk and no change is given. Inquire for current rates.