The Story of Cheltenham Author:Robin Brooks Previous histories of Cheltenham have concentrated on the settlement's medieval beginnings, the coming of the spa, and the Regency development that has shaped the town we know today. In this book Robin Brooks considers this early history, but also examines the spa's legacy in much more detail, focusing primarily on the 20th century. This account... more » starts with Cheltenham's earliest mention and ends with a look at the town as it is at the start of the 21st century. The first chapter deals with the discovery of the spa. Then comes Cheltenham's meteoric rise as a fashionable resort thanks to George III and the legacy this bestowed. Cheltenham owes its unity of architecture to this brief period in its past. To this day Cheltenham is burdened by its "retired colonel" image, but during the 20th century it has developed not only as an educational and cultural centre but also as a centre of the aerospace industry: H.H. Martyn won a contract to make aeroplanes during World War I, from which came Dowty, the Gloster Aircraft Company and Smiths. The final chapters take a controversial look at Cheltenham today.« less