After some forty years of research the author has meticulously analysed the development of a small village and even smaller hamlet into the prosperous new town of today through detailed accounts of the dwellings and their occupants at many key dates. The holdings of land are analysed to show how the original strip system consolidated into significant estates ...the development of local government, the trades of the work people, the early schools, even public houses are examined, using a mass of material ...and a wealth of illustrations and maps.