Loughborough is more than a market town, although the market is still held, twice-weekly, in the heart of the town, and is over seven hundred years old. The town's university is a world leader in sport with many of the most celebrated names in sport having studied here, including Sebastian Coe, Paula Radcliffe and Steve Backley. Loughborough was the destination of the world's first railway excursion, organised by Thomas Cook, and steam trains still bring tourists here on the Great Central Railway. Many locomotives from steam to Eurostar power cars have been built in the town, but its greatest export is undoubtedly bells. John Taylor's bell foundry is the largest in the world and is where Great Paul in St Paul's Cathedral, the bells in York Minster, and even the bell heard on the Australian rock band AC/DC's song, 'Hells Bells', were cast. This unique selection of old and new images and informative captions is a must read for anyone who knows and loves this town.

After a career with the BBC, Stephen Butt now enjoys writing and research with over twenty books in print combining local history with an interest in photography. Stephen's first degree was in Psychology and his MA degree is in English Local History. He has served as Hon Secretary of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society and has provided the research for more than one hundred heritage panels that can be seen in locations across Leicester.