The Lancashire city of Preston has an illustrious history stretching back to Roman times. From the thirteenth century onwards it became renowned for its textiles and it was later one of the major towns of the Industrial Revolution. Originally at the heart of the cotton industry, the town is now a sprawling university city and has achieved remarkable things. This proud heritage, a strong sense of local identity and character has given the city and its people much to celebrate throughout the centuries. In Celebrating Preston, local author Keith Johnson chronicles the significant and positive aspects of the city’s history from inventions to industry, landmarks to leisure, and newsworthy events to notable achievements. Discover those Preston folk who toiled willingly to make their vision of a more prosperous and pleasant place come to fruition. New buildings and structures have been cause for celebration, as have the numerous public parks developed within the city’s boundaries. Within the fields of industry, commerce, art and literature many Prestonians have made an impressive contribution. The author looks back on the royal visits to the city and the occasions when local people turned out to acknowledge military and sporting heroes, or simply to commemorate historic and national events. Illustrated throughout, this fascinating book offers a marvellous and refreshingly positive insight into Preston’s rich heritage, its special events and important moments. Celebrating Preston will be a valuable contribution to local history while providing a source of many memories. It will be of great interest to local residents, visitors and those with links to the city.