Preston's Victorian red light district: Into the Sandhole

The Sandhole was a place of debauchery and shame in Preston, but Victorian morality ensured it never appeared on any town maps. Local author and historian John Garlington discovered it while researching his family history, uncovering a world of poverty, desperation and barbarism. This carefully researched book is revealing, readable and important.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2023
Publisher: Carnegie Publishing Ltd

The Sandhole was a notorious haven of debauchery and shame, nestled within the heart of Prestons. However, the strict moral codes of the Victorian era ensured that it remained hidden from official town maps, and even in the collective memory of the people. It was a chapter of Prestons history that had been lost to time, forgotten and buried beneath the layers of history.

Until now, however, local author and historian John Garlington stumbled upon the Sandhole, quite literally, while conducting research into his family history. Initially hesitant, he mustered the courage to delve deeper, uncovering a world of poverty, desperation, and barbarism. This meticulously researched book is a captivating, insightful, and essential read that cannot be missed.

The Sandhole was a place where the marginalized and forgotten lived, their lives marked by hardship and misfortune. The people who called it home were a diverse group, hailing from different backgrounds and circumstances. Some were born into poverty, while others had fallen into it due to misfortune or bad luck. Regardless of their origins, they all shared a common bond: a lack of opportunities and a sense of hopelessness.

The Sandhole was a place of squalor and filth, with makeshift shacks and tents scattered across the area. The inhabitants lived in abject poverty, struggling to survive on the meager wages they earned from menial jobs or by scavenging for scraps. They faced daily challenges such as hunger, disease, and violence, with little access to basic amenities such as clean water, healthcare, and education.

The Sandhole was also a place of lawlessness and chaos, with gangs of thugs ruling the streets and preying on the vulnerable. The authorities turned a blind eye to the goings-on, as they were too busy dealing with the more pressing issues of the city. The people of the Sandhole were left to fend for themselves, with no recourse to justice or protection.

Despite the harsh realities of their lives, the people of the Sandhole remained resilient and determined to survive. They formed tight-knit communities, relying on each other for support and camaraderie. They shared their stories, their struggles, and their dreams, hoping to find a way out of the darkness that surrounded them.

John Garlington's book sheds light on the forgotten history of the Sandhole, providing a glimpse into the lives of those who lived there. It is a powerful and emotional read, filled with empathy and compassion for the people who had been marginalized and forgotten by society. The book is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the power of storytelling to bring attention to the issues that matter.

In conclusion, The Sandhole was a place of debauchery and shame, hidden from official town maps and forgotten by the people. However, local author and historian John Garlington's meticulous research has uncovered a world of poverty, desperation, and barbarism that existed within its walls. This carefully researched book is a revealing, readable, and important contribution to our understanding of history, shedding light on the lives of those who had been marginalized and forgotten. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the darker corners of human existence and the resilience of the human spirit.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781910837474