Of course being a Tuesday was joined once again by MARGARET MILLS.
This week Margaret turned her attention to a time when plans were announced by the then new District Council, to market LEIGH-on-SEA as a health resort.
The spur for this plan was the arrival of the railway in 1888.
Hotels were built and by 1908 an annual guide book was being produced promoting the town as a health resort by making a number of somewhat extravagant claims.
In the end it was, of course, all to no avail once it was realised that there was no way to compete with the attractions offered by Southend.
But it was probably “worth a go”.
You can listen here to what Margaret told me on this subject today: –
We also reported on the woman convicted of murdering her husband.
If you’re going to do something like that it’s probably a good idea to make sure there are no witnesses – even if the only witness is your pet parrot!
Indeed Glenna Durham from Michigan has just been convicted of murdering her husband, Martin, after shooting him five times before unsuccessfully turning the gun on herself.
When police arrived at the scene they found Glenna still alive and claiming she didn’t know who’d shot them.
Initially investigators thought it might have been a double murder attempt given that the woman had sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
However their pet parrot, Bud, let the cat out of the bag by continuously imitating Martin’s voice with the words, “Don’t shoot me, don’t bloody shoot me”
The family were convinced that the accusations by the parrot were likely true and subsequent investigations uncovered a series of suicide notes prepared by Glenna.
Later it also became clear that the couple were facing the prospect of losing their house due to huge gambling debts.
Although Glenna maintained her innocence, she was eventually convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, even though prosecutors decided not to call their star witness, Bud.
You’ll no doubt be pleased to know that Bud has since been re-housed by Martin’s ex wife, Christina Keller.
Incredible!
Hope to have the pleasure of your company once again next week,
Scott
