A museum director believes a book he wrote on Walthamstow’s history will amaze people and inspire learning about the lesser-known claims to fame in the area.

Lindsay Collier, Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum director, historian and resident of 40 years, officially launched Walthamstow Through Time yesterday at the Waltham Forest Town Hall Social Club in Forest Road.

The 96-page book printed by Amberley Publishing, which features around 180 illustrations, tells the tales of Walthamstow’s history, from pop band East 17 to the Anglo-Saxon origins of its name.

“It’s fantastic, they’ve done a superb job with the book,” Mr Collier said.

“They’ve brought the story to life with the new and old pictures.”

Walthamstow, originally derived from the Anglo-Saxon Wilcumestouue, means ‘the welcome place’ and was once noted for fine views, woodlands and wealthy estates.

After Lea Bridge station opened in 1840 the borough developed into a centre for commercial industry and a vital link for London’s transport system.

Mr Collier added that he believes readers will get an insight into Walthamstow that they would never have found out otherwise.

“Most people today would associate Walthamstow with William Morris, the High Street, the pop band East 17, and its famous greyhound stadium, known as ‘the Stow’,” he said.

“Less well known is the town’s rich transport heritage, being the home of Britain’s first motor car and the home of London’s buses.”

Mr Collier will appear at Waterstones in The Mall, Walthamstow, on March 22 between midday and 2pm to sign books.