It is the tale of a man from a humble background whose restless energy and imagination made him one of the most well-known personalities of his day in his adopted town of Ripley.

It gives details of his shops, cinema, working mens’ hostel and, incredibly, his zoo, which are evidence of his enquiring mind and entrepreneurial spirit.

This book uncovers murders, sporting events, celebrations and tragedies that once gripped the region.

From the earliest coaching inns to modern micro pubs, the author details the history of

the pubs of Ripley and the surrounding area, past and present.

The landlords and landladies, the competitions and organisations they supported, the troubles they got into are all covered, with dates and images.

It shows the company’s achievements, from the roof of St Pancras station to the Falkirk Wheel, and details the lives of its founders and of the Wright family who owned it for over a century. Finally it describes its sad decline, exacerbated by mergers and asset-stripping, leading to its closure.