Dr Reg and Barbara Yorke celebrate the release of their latest local history book, Formby Then and Now on sale at Formby Books

Dec 11 2012 by Sam Yarwood, Formby Times

A FORMBY couple are set to take residents back in time with the release of their latest book.

Formby Then and Now is a detailed photographic history of the town written by Dr Reg and Barbara Yorke.

The couple, who last year celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, have been writing local history books since the 1980s.

The idea for the Formby Then and Now book was suggested to Reg and Barbara 18 months ago by their publishers The History Press Ltd following the success of their previous six books.

It features images of around 45 different locations in Formby and Freshfield and allows readers to visually compare the difference between the sites then and now.

A brief history of the locations, which include the Grade II listed building, Formby Hall, has been written to accompany the photographs.

Dr Yorke , who was a senior partner at a doctor’s practice in Maghull, moved to Formby in 1953.

His wife is a third generation Formby resident.

She is also a former Sefton magistrate.

Dr Yorke said: “A lot of the images were sourced from the Formby Civic Society which has a really good archive of photos and sketches.

“It is interesting to compare what things were like then and how they are today.

“It brings home just how much Formby has changed and people find that fascinating.”

A book signing with Reg and Barbara Yorke was held to celebrate the book’s release on last Saturday at the library in Duke Street.

Formby Then and Now is available to buy at Formby Books for a Christmas price of £10 (RRP £12.99).

All royalties from the sale of the book will be given to the Formby Civic Society.