A new book about people living in Manningham, Bradford, past and present was being published today at a “scones and somasas” event at Manningham Mills.

The 121-page glossy book of words and 41 photographs includes a map of Manningham printed separately and folded in a flap at the back.

The authors are Mollie Somerville, who has lived and worked in and around Manningham for most of her life, and Peter Nias, an honorary visiting research fellow at Bradford University, who has lived in Manningham since the year 2000.

He said: “The book is very much a past and present look at Manningham, from 150 years ago up to now. It concentrates on people and complements the English Heritage book about Manningham’s buildings that was published in 2010.”

People such as Smith Wigglesworth, Manningham’s preaching plumber who lived from 1857 to 1947, and became better known in America and South Africa, are featured. When he was not on the road this fierce Pentecostal preacher lived at 70 Victor Road, where he died at the age of 88.

“When preaching he put the literal fear of God into people, especially those whom he was attempting to heal. He was not naturally a modest man,” the book states.

Mollie said: “Some 40 local people were interviewed, plus much research in libraries. We are very grateful for the willingness of people to share their stories.” The book also recounts historic events such as the Klondyke Villa, the occupation of spare land in 1906 by a group of men who put up tents and planted vegetables to feed their families. The experiment lasted three months until the approach of autumn.

The authors point out the similarity between the occupation and the contemporary Occupy movement in Britain and the United States.

Manningham: People Through the Mill, published by Manningham Mills Community Association, is available from this evening at the Chaat Cafe in Manningham Mills, from 5pm to 6.30pm.