MOST people associate Aldershot with the nation’s military forces and, of course, that is still the case with it being the home of the British army since 1854, but a new book gives fascinating new insights on little-known aspects of the town’s history.
Secret Aldershot, from Amberley Publishing, starts with the earliest evidence of settlements from the Bronze Age and the oldest building is the parish church of St Michael the Archangel.
Alongside the tradesmen who welcomed the Army as a source of business, many Victorian entrepreneurs wanted to provide alcohol – and entertainment – for the troops. The Aldershot Palais hosted the Beatles but only 18 people turned up so the Fab Four left and got drunk.