Southwell Local History Society details town's events in new book

Southwell Local History Society has launched its latest book about the town’s history, based on diary entries from the 1700s.

The book is based on the diaries of George Hodgkinson Junior from 1782 to 1784, which revealed an interesting insight of business and social life in Georgian Southwell.

During the period of the diaries he completed his final year as an apprentice attorney in London and provided a fascinating record of life in the city.

George assisted his father, also George, in running their successful legal practice in Southwell, undertaking work for many wealthy clients, including the senior MP Sir Richard Sutton of Norwood and the Archbishop of York.

They had frequent contact with them both, sometimes of a social nature.

Chairman Mike Kirton transcribed and edited the diaries. Copies are available and wrote a substantial introduction., expanding on the information they provide.

Whilst in Southwell and travelling across country to service clients, George Junior indulged in plenty of hunting, shooting, and fishing, in contrast to visits to London where his leisure time was spent in the many inns and theatres with names that are familiar to us today.The book, Georgian Southwell 1782-84, George Hodgkinson Junior, Attorney of Southwell, Nottinghamshire, is available from the society, Southwell Cathedral Shop, and the Bookcase, Lowdham.