'A Lancashire Story' takes readers into Bolton's past

A local history buff, his latest two novels have been inspired by real historical happenings in the borough.

He also penned a business guide in 2010, although that does not appear in the same genre as his two recent offerings.

Family Business, mostly set in Bolton, tells the historically factual tale of a generation between World War One and World War Two, including “the birth, life and ultimate demise of a local Bolton based business and the lives of people associated with it.”

The business itself became part of British Road Services in 1949, with B&Q now using the Kay Street site where it was based.

The two book covers

Family Business was published during the first lockdown, which Mr Melia admits was “not exactly the best time for a book promotion”, however the reviews it obtained on Amazon suggest it was well received.

A Lancashire Story, Mr Meila explained, “is also a generational story - 1890 to 1920 - but without as many of the business aspects.

“Starting in Farnworth during the 1890s, it effectively follows the career of a steam engineer through a number of towns and cities across Lancashire, before concluding in Tonge Moor in Bolton around the end of World War One.

“Some contemporary social aspects are dealt with as are a number of events, including the capture of one member of the family at Cambrai in WW1 and his incarceration in Altdamm in Germany.”

He added: “I collect books and ephemera relating to Turton and Bolton, and both my wife and I are members of Turton Local History Society.”

The 2019 book fair at the Barlow

Mr Melia also organised a book fair at the Barlow in 2019 and has done so again for a second time this year, as the previous two had to be cancelled due to Covid restrictions. The 2022 event takes place on Saturday, June 18.