The Farnborough Abbey Local History Series is a project of the Benedictine monks of Saint Michael's Abbey ensuring that books and pamphlets concerning the history of Farnborough and its surroundings remain in print, and that new titles relating to the area should be encouraged, printed and published.

These editions are printed and hand-bound at the Abbey.

There are ten books in the series, each priced at £13.95, hardback.

1.  Jottings from a Farnborough Note Book: Memories of Victorian Farnborough
     by Jessie Challacombe, 1922

In 1922 Jessie Challacombe, wife of the then Rector of St Peter’s, recorded in her “Jottings” all she could gather of the history, landmarks and traditions of the already expanding village of Farnborough.
       The monks of Saint Michael’s Abbey have produced this new edition of her work in the hope that what remains of old Farnborough should be better known and appreciated, and that what has gone should not be forgotten.

2.  Guide to Farnborough
     by Dom L. Gougaud, 1919

By 1919 there were enough scattered dwellings amongst the Farnborough pines for the word ‘town’ to be used for the first time. Military expansion and the development of the Royal Aircraft Establishment through the First World War, had transformed the old village beyond recognition.
      Freshly returned from his own adventures as a soldier in the Great War, Louis Gougaud, historian and monk of St Michael’s Abbey, wrote this brief guide, chronicling events that turned an old Hampshire village into a world centre of aviation and home to the Bonapartes.

3.  Guide to Aldershot
      by W. Sheldrake, 1859

‘Aldershot was one of the most pleasant and picturesque hamlets in Hampshire. The population did not reach 900 … ’

By 1859, not more than five years later, the hamlet and its surrounding heathland was occupied by the British Army, and was home to thousands of men. Sheldrake describes their living quarters, divided into North Camp and South Camp, and the soldiers’ daily pursuits.
      The ‘Guide’ thus charts the early stages of the transformation that turned Aldershot from a rural village into a thriving, industrial town. 

4.  Chapters of a History of Farnborough
     by A.E. Kinch, 1913

As Rector of Farnborough from 1882 to 1911 the Reverend Arthur Edoe Kinch was well placed to compile an account of the parish’s past. In 1913 he gathered into a single volume the ‘slight memorials’ that he had published across the years in the Farnborough Parish Magazine.
      Mr Kinch’s work constituted the first serious attempt at a history, and has come to be regarded as the standard source for those with an interest in the  local area.

5.  William Smith (1790-1858)
      by G. Bourne, 1919

Farnborough was little more than a turning off the old London Road when potter turned farmer William Smith (1790-1858)  brought life to the village with his colourful character. Forced by family circumstances to trade his formal education for hard work (after only three days at school), his family’s memories of Smith’s contribution to the life of Farnborough Street were eventually penned in 1919 by his grandson George Bourne.
      Bourne’s book is filled with fascinating details of family life in early Farnborough, village characters, scandal and gossip, unwelcome change, and the coming of the railways.

6.  A History of Crondall and Yateley 
     by C. Stooks, 1904

             ‘It is meant to be a popular book; a book which will be interesting to the learned and unlearned alike, and will supply them with that link with the past that makes life in any parish, and especially in a country parish where modern changes have not yet obliterated the ancient landmarks, so much more enjoyable...’
                                                                            Rev’d Charles D. Stooks, M.A.
                                                                                                Yateley Vicarage 1904

7.  The Story of a House: A History of Farnborough Hill 
     by D. Mostyn, revised 1999

This 1999 edition of ‘The Story of a House’ is a collaboration between Farnborough Hill School and Saint Michael’s Abbey. To Dorothy Mostyn’s much loved text is added a new chapter compiled by Mary Brister. ‘On to the Millennium...’ picks up ‘The Story’ in 1968 and completes the history of the ‘House’ to the end of the century. 

8.  Our Hampshire Cove
     by Arthur E. Lunn

 “Our Hampshire Cove” is the first book by local amateur historian Arthur Lunn. He was born in Cove and except for wartime service has spent most of his life in the village. His recollections capture the atmosphere of old Cove admirably, and he gives a real feel for the characters and events involved. His shrewd observations add colour to the account.
      The author discusses why the village of Cove is so named and the origin of Tower Hill. His original research has uncovered some remarkable facts concerning the origins of Cove that have so far eluded others. Was Cove and Tower Hill with its scattered sarsen stones once an important prehistoric centre possibly ranking with Stonehenge?

9.  Come and Live Longer at Farnborough 1929

 The death of the Empress Eugénie in 1920 saw the departure of the remaining members of her family and the great sale of Farnborough Hill and its huge estate.
      New dwellings sprung up everywhere and in 1929 ‘Come and Live Longer at Farnborough’ was published as the town’s welcome to would-be citizens.

10.  The Empress Eugenie in Exile
      by Agnes Carey

 In February of 1886, at the invitation of the Empress Eugénie, Agnes Carey took up a position in the imperial household at Farnborough Hill. The memories of her time spent at Farnborough, “some of my most pleasant and interesting months,” were published after the Empress’ death.
       Carey, though no historian, had an eye for social detail and interior décor. Her memoirs present us, therefore, with fascinating insights into life at Farnborough Hill and the daily routine of the Empress Eugénie.

For more information please contact the Abbey Press.