It is an in depth study. It covers the history of all of the pubs, inns, alehouses etc in the North West of County Durham based in the rural district of Lanchester and the urban districts of Stanley and Consett. The main sources of income in these areas were agriculture, coal mining and steel works respectively.
Whilst there were some very wealthy people in the area, the vast majority of the population was working class and the one thing they all enjoyed was a place where they could socialise over a drink or two - whether it be a plush hotel or a back street room where the bar was two wooden planks over two barrels.
These were the community centres of their time and they fascinated me as a young man and gave me an interest when I retired.
