HARVINGTON’S little known industrial past has been brought back to life in a new book which its author hopes will raise vital funds for their village hall.

Phil Bawn, who has lived in Harvington for 24 years, has just had published Harvington Transported Through Time which reveals how the village used to support a thriving transport hub.

Proceeds from sales of the book, which costs £5 and is available from the village post office, shop or from the author directly, will go towards the renovation of the old village hall. Mr Bawn said: “I found that there were a lot of interesting things in the village at one point as far as transportation was concerned, but which are now all gone.”

He said it had come as a surprise to many people to discover there was a caravan manufacturing business there, together with a once thriving coaching company called Black and White Coaches.

Mr Bawn continued: “There were three petrol pumps within a few hundreds yards of each other not far from The Cross on the main road, which act as a clue to the village’s more industrial past, while the coach business was a bit of a local landmark.

“There has been some bits written about the history of the village but nobody had ever mentioned these comparatively large concerns which are now gone forever.

This is why I decided to write the book, and hopefully generate some funds for the village hall.”

The hall, which was built in 1931, has been flooded several times in recent years. Mr Bawn said: “A band of people have been refurbishing it over the last few years. There are now just bits and pieces which need finishing but funds are needed to keep this going.”

Sue Jenkinson, who is also chairman of Harvington Parish Council, said: “Everybody thinks Phil has done the village a great service, not only in revealing its history but in supporting the village hall.”

For more information on Harvington Transported Through Time, or to order a copy, call Mr Bawn on 01386 870363.