A NEW book revealing what life was like in Crediton in Victorian times is being launched on 14 October 14 by Crediton Area History and Museum Society (CAHMS).

“Life in Mid Victorian Crediton” is based on a diary kept by William Snell, a Crediton High Street businessman between 1869-1892.

The diary, as far as is known is still in the possession of William Snell’s descendants.It was loaned to Angela Perkins, an active volunteer with the history society, more than 20 years ago.

Angela was fascinated by the contents of the diary.An experienced and effective amateur genealogist and historian, Angela selected significant entries in the diary and put them in the context of national and international events that were going on at the time.

She shared what she had written with her colleagues at the history society and it was intended then to publish the work.

As is so often the case with voluntary groups, other events and illness led to the attempt being shelved “for the time being”.Sadly, Angela died in 2012 and the draft remained out of sight until a year or so ago when volunteers discovered the file.

Permission of Angela’s family was obtained to publish the work and the society’s assistant archivist David Nation had the job of collating and editing the copy.

What has resulted is an 88-page book.

David said: “We are most grateful to Angela’s family for assisting with the publication and it is hoped that they will be able to attend the launch.

“Angela was erudite and articulate and really gets under the skin of the diarist.

“It is quite amazing how she draws out what ordinary everyday life was like for a property owner, tanner and socially well-connected resident.

“William mentions so many local people, from his gardener and local people killed crossing the railway line, to local dignitaries who are Church Governors or running large local estates.

“It is remarkable how many local people he gossips about, as is illustrated by the detailed index of over 150 local surnames included in the book. He makes no secret of his political views and shows that the weather was just as much a talking point then as it is now.”

CAHMS Chair Tony Gale said: “Personal diaries can offer unique insights for local historians. William Snell's diary is richly peppered with entries about local people and events, as well as references to important local organisations like the town's Improvement Commissioners, who were being asked in 1876 "how they intend to pay the £7,100 they are already in debt".

“There's a lot here to inform family historians and to spark new research enquiries.”

“Life in Mid Victorian Crediton” will be available from Crediton Museum from Wednesday, October 16, when open or by post from CAHMS, 3 George Hill, Crediton, Devon EX17 2DT for £7.50 plus postage and packing.

Contact: David Nation, CAHMS Executive member, email: [email protected] , telephone 01363 774441 or 07773 446276.