Formby History Viking Village The Story of Formby by Edith Kelly, The Formby Soceity printed in 1973. Read here by Joan Rimmer in June 2021. Illustrations by Muriel Sibley and Mildred M Wason Viking Village

The village of Formby was founded by Norse settlers in the tenth century in what was then a remote and inaccessible part of the Lancashire coast, cut off by forest, lake and marshland from the rest of the country. For many centuries its inhabitants led a quiet and isolated life, tending their fields and their livestock, making and mending their boats and fishing gear, and keeping a watchful eye on the dunes and watercourses which alone protected them from inundation. It was not until the nineteenth century that the coming of the railway openings up communication with Liverpool and began the process by which Formby eventuyrally become a Merseyside commuter town. Even today, however the district retains many distinctive features, and the coastline (much of it now a protected area) attracts many thousands of visitors throughout the year.

The history of Formby has never been dramatic, but it is full of interest, and it is here told for the first time, with for good measure chapters on local flora and fauna.

Formby Podcast would like to thank Joan Rimmer for reading the book. We could only manage chapter by chapter. A magnificent work now readily available to anyone interested in Formby.

Formby Podcast would also like to thank The Formby Soceity for giving us permission to produce this audio book.

Formby Podcast is an independent production if you would like to share your story -

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