FROM familiar grumbling over the weather to tales of a scantily clad Casanova caught in a chimney – a new history book promises a fascinating insight into Victorian life in Sedgefield.

Penned by local historian Alison Hodgson, A Victorian History of Sedgefield covers all aspects of everyday life during the era.

Mrs Hodgson, a former teacher, has been working on the book for five years, gathering information from diaries, censuses and local newspapers, including the Darlington & Stockton Times and The Northern Echo.

“I have always been passionate about history and this is something I have been wanting to do for some time,” said Mrs Hodgson, who has lived in the town for 42 years and is a member of Sedgefield Local History Society.

“It was so interesting reading the newspaper reports and seeing the similarities and differences between then and now. I think one thing that really stood out was the fact the Victorians were just as preoccupied with the weather as we are. There were daily reports about erratic weather conditions, despite everything you hear about global warming today.”

Other interesting insights include the Victorian’s insatiable appetite for gore, with reports of murder cases featuring lurid descriptions; concerns over traffic congestion caused by horse and carts parked outside pubs; and an amusing report about a scantily clad man caught hiding in a chimney by an angry husband.

The book is on sale at Sedgefield Town Council offices, Tickety-Boo, Sedgefield Post Office and Hardwick Park Visitor Centre, priced £9.99.