In today’s feature, Margaret Mills looked back at the smuggling activities in Essex, but especially around Rochford, where it seems that St Andrew’s Church was once the centre of much illicit contraband activities.
Listen again here to what Margaret told me today:-
See you next time,
Scott
The subject chosen by MARGARET MILLS for today’s feature concerned the religious sect known as THE PECULIAR PEOPLE.
Listen again here to what Margaret told me about this unusually named group: –
See you again next week,
Scott
And now for something completely different!
No we’re not talking about MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS but well before the days of Python and co, their radio forerunners were THE GOONS.
What you may well ask can possibly be the connection be between THE GOONS, who hark back to the halcyon days of radio in the 1950’s and an Essex village?
Well believe it or not there is a connection between one of their shows and the Essex village of Great Bardfield.
To learn more listen again here to what Margaret told me today on this subject : –
See you again next week,
Scott
For our BYGONES feature today, Margaret Mills turned her spotlight on FRED MIZON a sculptor of straw from Great Bardfield who had created a large exhibit, known as THE LION and the UNICORN, especially for the FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN, that was staged on the South Bank of the THAMES back in 1951.
Listen again here to what Margaret had to say on this subject: –
See you again next week,
Scott
It was good to see that Margaret had survived the arctic conditions we endured last week and was back today to tell us all about a Methodist Minister, Nehemiah Curnock and his daughter, Ruth, a Suffragette who it was rumoured was responsible for throwing a brick through the window of the Post Office in Rayleigh.
Listen again to what Margaret told me today on this subject: –
See you again next week,
Scott
Margaret Mills’ subject today concerned a very unusual First World War Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers under the command of Viscount Maitland, the 14th Earl of Lauderdale.
If you missed it, listen again here: –
See you next week,
Scott
On today’s feature, Margaret Mills regaled us with the story of a 16-year old boy, who in May 1879 had been caught stealing from his next door neighbour.
Clearly not too bright a lad for making his first foray into crime by going no further than next door, but what makes the story even more sublime is that his defence lawyer tried to suggest that his client had been led astray by reading “inappropriate” material.
Not much of a defence it must be said.
And indeed it didn’t work as his client was sentenced to 4 months hard labour.
Doubt that in those days there’d have been much dubious material to read whilst incarcerated.
Anyway you can listen again to this tale of woe by clicking on the link below: –
See you again next time,
Scott
Today’s feature concerned an unnamed old miser from High Ongar who died in 1854.
Apparently he was a miller who had somehow amassed a fortune of around £7000 in cash and a similar amount in investments which together must have been worth the equivalent of close on £2m in today’s money.
To hear more click on the link below:-
See you again next week,
Scott
On today’s BYGONES feature, Margaret Mills related the tale of SAMUEL WYATT, a postman who’s round for 30 years encompassed Bardfield, Finchingfield, and at one time also Thaxted.
The size of his round meant that he had to cover up to 26 miles a day all on foot for up to 6 days a week.
When he retired at the age of 54 he was presented with a certificate but it is not known if he received a pension or any other kind of financial reward.
Listen again here to what Margaret told me: –
See you again next week,
Scott
For our Bygones feature today, Margaret Mills regaled the story of a near riot which ensued at one of the hostelries in Rayleigh back in the year 1805.
It seems that trouble erupted over a disputed bill for food and drink, originally ordered for 40 people whilst in the event only 7 people turned up to enjoy the repast.
If you missed what Margaret had to say on this subject, just click on the link below: –
See you again next week,
Scott
