A SECOND book featuring historical photos of Malmesbury is being released a month ahead of schedule.

Malmesbury Reflections, the second book from the heritage and history Facebook group Malmesbury Now & Then, written by local author Charles Vernon of the civic trust is being released early in October.

“We’d expected to release the book in November however, due to Covid-19 our printers haven’t been busy and the books arrived two months early. It’s all very exciting and real now.” said Malmesbury Now and Then group founder Alison Cross-Jones.

“For the second year running, books are flying off to every corner of the globe and right around the UK. "We’ve again had so many pre-orders it’s covered all printing costs. We’re now on target to raise a lot more money for the Malmesbury Civic Trust and the Athelstan Museum.

“From the very beginning Malmesbury Now & Then has supported the Athelstan Museum and the Malmesbury Civic Trust raising over £7,500 for both charities in 2019.”

Author Charles Vernon added: “After the success of last year’s book I wasn’t sure there’d be an appetite for another book but I’ve been proved wrong again.

"The way everyone embraces and shares the town’s history is wonderful and I’m thankful and feel humbled by the lovely comments I’ve received.

“I’ve enjoyed compiling the book and in the process have learnt a lot more about Malmesbury.

"The job was made much easier by the help received from so many people during lockdown.

"As a result the books contains numerous images not previously published; there’s even more images in this book than the first book. The way everyone has embraced this book is astounding.”

Malmesbury Reflections follows on from the success of the first book at the end of last year which sold all 750 copies in less than two weeks.

Paul Smith a member of the editorial team said: “I’m delighted with this second book. I actually think people will like it better than the first!

"It’s been a pleasure working with Charles and Alison again. I’m delighted the book will again be supporting the Malmesbury Civic Trust and the Athelstan Museum and the way many people have contributed their own images.”

Sharon Nolan, chair of Athelstan Museum Malmesbury added: “After the huge success of the first Malmesbury Now and Then book which was so well received, we are very much looking forward to “Malmesbury Reflections”.

"On behalf of Athelstan Museum Malmesbury I would like to thank Charles Vernon (Malmesbury Civic Trust) and Alison Cross Jones (Malmesbury Now and Then) for their exhaustive work in collating all the images, and for their continued support of the museum which will benefit from sales.

"It will be a fascinating and comprehensive photographic record of the town now, and for the future."