A NEW book has been published about the history of a village.

East Morton: A Glimpse of the Past has been produced by Morton Archive Group.

Originally its publication was intended to coincide with the centenary celebrations for the village's memorial institute in September, but the extensive research extended beyond the deadline.

"We are happy to say the book is now ready for public consumption!" said Lin Stentiford, for the archive group.

"The last book to be published about the village was East Morton: A Thousand Years of History, which was first produced in 1990 and then reprinted in 1996. It had become the 'go to' book on the village history.

"This latest book takes an entirely new approach.

"The opening section focuses on changes over the century to shopping patterns, social life, transport and education within the distinctive village.

"The second section concentrates on 12 of the iconic houses within the village and tells the stories of the links with East Morton’s industrial and commercial past. Some of the houses highlighted are not visible from the road and the book enables the reader a tantalising glimpse of them.

"Some of the buildings that were prominently discussed in the previous publication have been purposely omitted – the focus has been to bring new facts to light."

A wide range of questions around the village's history is answered, and a wealth of facts provided ­– such as East Morton's claim to fame that it was once home to the largest waterwheel in the country.

The archive group used digitised archives as a basis for much of the information presented in the 100-page book.

Lin adds: "Working with trade directories, electoral registers, censuses and land tax records alongside the archive materials, the group has managed to provide a comprehensive and detailed record of East Morton for generations to come.

"Publication of the book has been made possible by a generous donation from Morton Gala committee and a heritage grant from Bradford Council."

Copies of the book can be obtained – priced £7 – from East Morton community shop, from Morton Meet at the institute building on Wednesday afternoons, or from the archive group which meets in the institute's Beanlands Room on Monday afternoons. Alternatively, copies can be ordered by emailing linstentiford@mortonvillage.org.uk.

An official launch of East Morton: A Glimpse of the Past takes place – for invited guests – in the Beanlands Room on January 4, at 2pm.