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Has anyone read any books by Colin Aspin, he also wrote 'Lancashire: the first industrial society'.
'The Fastest man, Steeple Jack's Adventures in Lancashire', is a new book he has just brought out about a man called James Duncan Wright, the author is a bloke who lives near me in Ramsbottom and I have just purchased this latest book from him. On the back cover it says;

During the 1850's, James Duncan Wright, a Scotsman who settled in Ramsbottom, astonished vast crowds in Lancashire by hurtling down on ropes from factory chimneys and tall masts at more than 100 miles an hour. He was probably the first person to travel at such speeds and his nickname became part of the English language: Steeple Jack.

As well as giving unique exhibitions, Steeple Jack repaired scores of chimneys, steeples and monuments without the need for scaffolding. Using only ropes, weights, a wooden seat and a kite, he ascended high structures and then descended at terrifying speed, provoking gasps of wonder from the crowds far below.

On his death in 1902, Steeple Jack had largely been forgotten, but this lively, fascinating little book records the daredevil activities of the 'original and best' for posterity.

Hope I enjoy this little book, if I do I might buy his other one, cant be robbed anyway this one only cost £4.95.


Stephanie.

Sounds good : it's Chris Aspin actually !

Rex

Oops senior moment.


Stephanie.

One of his descendants was on Radio Lancashire the other morning, his grandson or great grandson, not sure which. I wonder if it was him who wrote the book? I came into the programme part way through so didn't get the whole of the interview.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

I wonder if local programmes are on 'Listen Again'? I'll have a dig later.

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

It was on here http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/ on saturday, I think. Early a.m. around 8-45. Something to do with an exhibition of bikes in Darwen, in front of India Mill.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Getting nearer, it was on Steve Royle 13th Dec http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/radio/bbc_ ... ancashire/
Tried to run it but it isn't working at the moment. Defo on that programme.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Yesterday or last week Gloria? Any idea who the show host was? It seems they only have the shows of the last week.

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Yesterday and the host was Steve Royle====pretty sure on that.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

It is working now http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0 ... 3_12_2008/

It will probably only be available until Saturday.

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Have you listened to the interview?

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

No, I just checked it for sound. I'm on the laptop in front of the tv.
I'll have a listen tomorrow when he's at the office.

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

At 8-45 it would have been Alex Worsick. He isn't available on the iplayer - typical!! Steve Royle follows him. I've just listened to a little over an hour of Steve, skipping through bits of waffle and music, and there was nothing.

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Chris Aspin wrote the book, he was no relation of Steeple Jack, whose name was James D Wright. He learnt about the man himself in the 1960's and was intrigued by his exploits, when he learnt that he actually stayed in Ramsbottom he decided to write a book about his remarkable life.


Stephanie.

The guy on the radio was definitely a direct descendant. They were having some sort of "do" outside India Mill in Darwen. Carl Foggerty was going to be there, and it was going on from lunchtime well into the evening. I think it was a charity function, but missed a lot of it.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.