About Descent and us
Wild Places Publishing specialises in caving-related publications and was formed with book publication in mind. It's growth has, however, been closely linked with perhaps the best known of its publications, Descent magazine.
Descent was launched as a small-format magazine in January 1969, price 2/6 (12.5p); it moved to A4 format with issue (40) in 1979. Its first editor and publisher was Bruce Bedford – you can read the story of those early years in Descent (210) – under various publishing names: Descent Publications, The Mendip Press and eventually Mendip Publishing.
In 1983 and with issue (55), when Gloucester-based Ambit Publications took the reins as publisher. While Keith Creighton ran the publishing end of things, supported by Sue Dwyer who did the layout, Bruce remained as editor until issue (82) in 1988. Keith produced a single issue as interim editor, then Chris Howes began his tenure as a freelance editor with issue (84), from the beginning working alongside assistant editor Judith Calford.
In 1997, the publisher changed to Gloster Publications (named for the Second World War aircraft, not the company's town of Gloucester). In fact, this was still Ambit Publications, renamed while restructuring, which in turn led to the sale of Descent in 1998. Thus, the magazine came to Wild Places Publishing, at that time only recently set up by Chris and Judith to produce Images Below and other book titles.
Things had come full circle: Descent began as a caver-production, was later independently published, and is now again totally associated with cavers from the written content, editing and production to publication. In 2009 Chris and Judith were honoured with the Tratman Award 'for their production of Descent, with continuing innovation taking it to its 200th edition and beyond, and in recognition of the magazine's contribution to speleology.'
Plus, a further word about Wild Places Publishing. There is virtually nothing that can be done or produced that does not impact the environment in some manner, but we can try to minimise those effects. The servers that host this website, for example, are powered by 'green energy' – that is, energy sourced from wind, water and sunlight. Descent and books produced by Wild Places are printed on paper manufactured from sustainable sources (and are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council). Oh, and if you order goods from us, don't be surprised it they turn up in reused packaging – far better to recycle an old padded bag than put a new one in circulation!
So, Descent is only part of what Wild Places works on – take a look at our books in detail, for example. We only present top quality products and have won awards for our publications, so rest assured that you cannot find finer. Please take some time to explore our website and let us know what you think.