‘Unknown Taplow and Environs’ by Eric Fitch

– A book review by the WLHG

Published in Windlesora 07 (1988)

© WLHG

Eric Fitch is well known to readers of WINDLESORA, having contributed to past issues, but the imprint ‘Windsor Publications’ should not be confused with the already well established Windsor Local History Publications Group.

The wide scope of this book embraces all aspects of the history of Taplow, Burnham, Boveney, Dorney, Hedsor and Hitcham, from prehistoric times onwards. There are chapters on archaeology, springs and wells, bridges, monasticism, inns and pubs, as well as place names and literary links. Mr Fitch obviously has an interest in the occult and unexplained, and this aspect is well covered.

This is an attractively produced book with good clear type and some interesting photographs, though the latter suffer from the lack of captions. (The list of illustrations is on the last page). There is a good index, (always an asset) and a helpful list of places to visit. The layout of the bibliography is not particularly helpful, one entry running into another in some places and little distinction being shown between books and newspaper/periodical articles.

The book is written in an easy style: the back cover proclaims that the author ‘is not a professional historian and makes no claim to be an expert.” Nevertheless I am sure this book will answer a need for a good general survey of the Taplow area. On the whole it is a very commendable first book and with luck it will fill many a Christmas stocking in Taplow and its environs.

Published by Windsor Publications (1988) in Paperback (124pp) at £4. 00; ISBN 187041701 1

Valerie Bonham