Much-loved chronicler of Britain, Ian Marchant, presents the ‘book of his career’ at North Books in Hay-on-Wye this weekend.

Reviewed as being ‘the most immersive piece of family history’ One Fine Day is an amateur genealogist’s adventure which packs a real emotional punch as well as delivering a visceral, detailed sense of daily life in the rural 18-century. As you would expect from Marchant it is also very funny and relevant to the UK today

One day Marchant, acclaimed author of books on music, railways and pubs, decided to have a dig around his family history.

Luckily for Marchant he soon came across a diary written by his seven-times great great-grandfather, Thomas Marchant who had left a detailed diary from 1714 to 1728. Life-loving Thomas, much like his descendant, liked a drink and a game of cards. With fascinating, immersive detail we learn about Thom’s family farm and fishponds; about dung, horses and mud; about beer, the wife’s nights out, his own job troubles and their shared worries for their children. There is a subtext, of course, which throws interesting parallels with today’s society and its concerns: life in 1720s England soon becomes reminiscent of life in Britain today.

North Books (4 Castle Street) will host Marchant this Saturday, August 5 at 4pm.

This is a seated event so tickets are very limited. Tickets are £5 (to include a refreshment). There will be an opportunity to buy One Fine Day on the night at a discount. Please email Jules on [email protected] or pop into the shop to reserve your space.