Alistair Lofthouse
Alistair founded ALD Print in 1988 after graduating in Industrial Design from Sheffield Hallam University (then Sheffield Polytechnic!).
He published the companies first book, Mi Amigo in 1997. Written by David Harvey the book tells the story of an American B17 bomber that crashed in Endcliffe Park, Sheffield, in 1944.
Since then we have published over 100 books with many local history books a number of which have been written by Alistair himself. His lastest release is Then & Now Sheffield Blitz, an updated version to commemorate the 80th Anniversary. The updated pictures were taken whilst on his daily walk during the Covid-19 epidemic and show Sheffield with very deserted empty streets.
Then & Now The Sheffield Blitz - 80th Anniversary Edition
First Published in August 2003
Reprinted and extended 2010
Reprinted and Extended 2020 with new information and updated pictures
Gas masks from the Blitz, complete with cardboard carrying case. The mask with two round eyes is an air raid warden's and the other one is of a type issued to the general public. They were to be carried with you at all times in the box provided.
Anyone too young to remember World War Two may find it hard to imagine Sheffield devastated after two German raids in December 1940.
Hitler had intended to invade Britain after he had defeated the Royal Air Force during The Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940. However the Few of Fighter Command won the battle but Germany's air force then turned their attention to the major cities of Britain.
By re-shooting of the photographs taken just after the bombing a true perspective of the damage suffered by Sheffield can be gained.
*BEST SELLER* Featured on BBC's Railway Walks
Then & Now The Monsal Trail
First Published in August 2003
Second Edition July 2009
Third Edition 2012
The railway from Matlock to Buxton was the jewel in the crown for the Midland Railway. When it closed during the Beeching cuts of the 1960s there was much criticism. Since then the route has been taken over by walkers and climbers.
The disused railway line formally became the Monsal Trail in 1982, secured for the public by the Derbyshire Dales District Council. Since 1975, Peak Rail have slowly gained momentum in their attempt to rebuild the line. In 2011 the tunnels were opened to the public.
In this book you are taken from the present back in time to compare how the scenes have changed since the demise of the railway and how the land has been reused today. This has been made possible by the excellent photographs of E.R. Morten, a Buxton based dentist, who took many photographs on the line during the 1950s and 1960s.
As Featured on BBC’s Railway Walks with Julia Bradbury
To buy this book from our sister site please click the link below.
READ THE REAL STORY OF THE MI AMIGO
Mi Amigo
First Published in 1997
Reprinted 2019
A5 Softback book
70 pages
On a winter's afternoon in February 1944 the peace of endcliffe park was shattered as an american B17 Bomber crashed narrowly missing playing children, all ten crew died.
Miles off course, sister aircraft to The Memphis Belle, with its crew drawn from all across America what was it doing over Sheffield? Who were the crew? How close was Sheffield to a major disaster? What's happened since.
Published in 1997 this extensively researched book by David Harvey tells the real story of the Mi Amigo plane crash.
To buy this book from our sister site please click the link below.
Cammell Laird Built Warships
Published in 2016.
A4 Hardback Book.
180 pages.
A comprehensive guide to all naval vessles built by Cammell Laird from 1834 - 1993.
The book covers over 350 Navel ships, built by the world famous Merseyside shipbuilders, Cammell Laird. With 180 pages and nearly 200 photographs, many published for the first time, from the companies own archives, this book is a must for anyone interested in ships and shipbuilding in the UK
To buy this book from our sister site please click the link below.
A GREAT SHEFFIELD MISCELLANY
First Published in November 2020
This celebratory compendium of all things Sheffield is certain to give you a new insight and an even greater appreciation of the greatest city that there is.
From A-Roads to Zeppelins, you cannot fail to discover something new about the people, geography, culture and history of Sheffield.
This is a real treasure trove of trivia, some of which you really ought to know, some of which you could quite comfortably get through life never knowing, and plenty in between!