HISTORY buffs can immerse themselves in tales of two villages from decades gone thanks to new books which have hit the shelves.

Cookley author Betty Caswell has unveiled her 13th book on the village, which focuses on the 1930s and 40s.

And the memories of a group of Abberley women have been captured in print, thanks to the help of "The History Woman" of Worcester, Ann Marriott.

Abberley Remembered sets out the stories of a group of women in their 80s and 90s whose recollections paint a vivid picture of Abberley throughout the century.

Among the incidents recalled in the book are the great fire at Witley Court in 1937, school outings to the seaside in the late 1920s and 30s, the advent of the Home Guard and the arrival of the first ever village hall, a tin hut, paid for by Sir Richard and Lady Brooke.

The memories have been collated by Ann Marriott who writes up the life stories of the elderly - a vocation she developed after her daughter produced a historic record with her mother. Author Ann Marriott and Cissy Vernal who contributed to the Abberley Remembered book.

She said: "The Abberley Thursday Ladies' Group was my first ever group life story. Most of us know little enough about our parents' lives and next to nothing of our grandparents."

Ann started life story writing as a volunteer in a hospice in 1993 and was so encouraged by people's enthusiasm to recount their lives she went on to work with elderly people in day centres.

Life in Cookley was difficult before the Second World War, according to Mrs Caswell's offering, Cookley at Home and Far Away 1930s - 1940s.

"Not many 'mod-con' houses had been built prior to this," she said.

"Many had no gas, electric, indoor sanitation or indeed water supply. However you will be heartened by the wonderful sense of freedom the children of Cookley enjoyed in the 1930s and 40s."

The book is available from Fagin's in Kidderminster while the Abberley publication can be obtained from Jill Smith at Hillhead Farm, Abberley, WR6 6BP, telephone 01299 896894.