Michael Loftus has lived for almost half his life in Kidderminster.

 

Much of his working life was involved in dealing with the process of economic change and de-industrialisation in the West Midlands, other parts of the UK and further afield across the world.

 

More recently, with more time on his hands, he has acquired an deep interest in the history of his adopted home town – and the first process of industrialisation and development there.

 

It’s not unconnected to the subject of this book that he is a dogged but enthusiastic swimmer at the town’s newest pool.