Vauxhalls come to the Port

This new book by Bill Thacker tells the story of the Hooton Hall site from country house through military uses to how it came to be Vauxhall's northern manufacturing plant. Although this is on the surface a superb well-researched and sumptuously illustrated local history publication, this is also very much a people book, focusing on the personalities before and during the Vauxhall era. Oral history from factory workers really brings the Vauxhall story to life and the entire book is illustrated with period photographs. A colour section features 1960s advertising for the Viva - 'Easiest possible car to clean. Just wash, rinse and wipe to restore showroom shine.' Glamorous women drive the cars, men in sheepskin coats look on, adoring families crowd round the new Viva. If you have worked at Vauxhall or had a Viva or an Astra this is a must-have book for you.