Of course being a Tuesday I was once again joined by MARGARET MILLS for her regular look at items linked to local history and today Margaret took us the short distance to St Mary’s Church Widford, which for those unfamiliar with the area, is very close to HYLANDS HOUSE, Chelmsford.

St Mary’s church has very strong connections with Hylands House, and the owners of that property, many of whom were ultimately buried in the church yard.

There is also a connection with the artist JOHN CONSTABLE, whose painting of St Mary’s is held at the National Gallery in London.

You can listen again here to what Margaret told me about this church: –

Earlier in today’s show we hopped over to Thailand to learn of an unfortunate experience suffered by a British tourist, and by those using an adjacent internet cafe.

Now if truth be told, the Freelancer Hotel being situated in the Red Light District of Pattaya, Thailand is probably not listed amongst the world’s coveted luxury top establishments in which to stay.

A 51-year old guest from Blackburn, described as extremely drunk, returned to his room at the hotel in the early hours of one morning last week. 

Shortly afterwards, groans and banging were heard emanating from the room, but possibly due the nature of the establishment, staff initially thought nothing of it. 

However after he plunged from the balcony and through the ceiling of an adjacent internet cafe, stark naked and covered in excrement, staff realised that something might be amiss. 

Clearly quick on the board there!

One of the gamers said, ‘I was sitting playing games when I heard a thump. At first I didn’t think anything of it. But after a while, there was another thump. The ceiling started to give way and then a pair of legs came down, right on my head before the whole ceiling collapsed so I called the staff to come and take a look. I was very shocked. So I ran up to take a closer look, smelt it, and I thought it was a broken water pipe or something.’ 

Police were then summoned and the man was covered in a blanket and taken to hospital to sober up and be treated for minor injuries.

Officers subsequently checked his room which reportedly was not a pleasant sight. 

One of the attending officers was quoted as saying, ‘We have some ideas about what he was doing in the room to make it so dirty but there was nothing illegal. It’s his private life, so HE will have to speak with the hotel to negotiate the bill.’

Well I’m taking my leave now , but unusually will be returning for an extra show this Thursday, when I’ll be deputising for Roy Tyzack, so very much hope you’ll be able to join me then,
Scott