Bygones and Essex Tales Archives - Phoenix FM

As usual being a Tuesday I was joined by Margaret Mills who took us back to the 1930’s to look at holiday innovations which really took hold after the introduction of the HOLIDAYS WITH PAY Act of Parliament in 1938, which guaranteed that from then on everyone was entitled to one week’s annual leave with full pay.

The result was the innovation of the Holiday Camp by the likes of Warners and, of course, Billy Butlin, who was offering an all inclusive stay at his establishments at a price equivalent to a week’s wages, which at that time stood at £3.50!

You can listen again here to what Margaret had to say on this subject: –

I look forward to the pleasure of your company once again next week,

The post Holiday innovations of the 1930’s appeared first on Phoenix FM.

This week our resident historian, Margaret Mills, took us over to the Frinton of the 1920’s.

Now given that Frinton used to be the butt of music hall jokes suggesting that “Harwich was for the continent whilst Frinton was for the incontinent” you might have thought that I might have been considered making some kind of quip, but not a bit of it.

Indeed Margaret told us today that back in the 1920’s Frinton was “the go to” place for the celebrities of the day.

If you missed what Margaret had to say on this subject, you can listen again here: –

I very much hope to have the pleasure of your company once again next week,

The post When Frinton was the haunt of celebrities appeared first on Phoenix FM.

Listen here to what Margaret had to say on this subject: –

All being well I’ll see you again next week,

The post The pioneers of aviation in Essex appeared first on Phoenix FM.

For her historical feature this week, Margaret Mills took us on a trip to Osea Island.

Now in case you don’t know, Osea Island, part of the parish of Heybridge, is located in the Blackwater Estuary and connected to the north bank of the river by a causeway that is covered at high water.

During the 16th century the island was a spot favoured by Londoners to shoot wildfowl although visitors might also return to London suffering from the Essex disease, known as ague.

The island was at one time owned by Frederick Charrington who although obviously connected with the brewery business for which his family was famous, used the location as a rehabilitation centre for victims of alcohol.

Later at the beginning of the 20th century, the island was also used for aviation tests.

You can listen again here to what Margaret told me today: –

I look forward to the pleasure of your company once again next week,

The post The varied history of Osea Island appeared first on Phoenix FM.

The subject chosen this week by Margaret Mills, our very own local historian, was piracy off the Essex coast.

But we’re not talking “pop” piracy of the 1960’s with Radio Caroline, Radio London etc., but this was the real “JOLLY ROGER” piracy.

If you missed it you can listen again here to all that Margaret had to say on this subject: –

I very much hope to have the pleasure of your company once again next week,

The post Piracy off the Essex Coast appeared first on Phoenix FM.

The subject of Margaret Mills’ historical feature today was William Cresswell, who’s diary entries from around 1874 provide a glimpse of the daily lives of himself and his colleagues working in the grounds of Audley End.

You can listen again here to what Margaret had to say about this: –

I’ll see you again next week,

The post Audley End and the Diaries of William Cresswell appeared first on Phoenix FM.

I was joined once more by Margaret Mills who this week took us over to Valentine’s Park in Ilford, and more especially the “so called” Holy Well.

Listen again here to what Margaret had to say about this: –

See you once again next week,

The post The “HOLY WELL” at Valentines Park, Ilford appeared first on Phoenix FM.

For this week’s feature, Margaret Mills looked at a building in Matching Green, known variously as The Wedding Breakfast Room or Wedding Feast Room.

The building (which is still in use today) dates back to around 1480 and was built and designed by a local benefactor, one William Chimney.

Listen again here to what Margaret had to say on this subject: –

See you once more next week,

The post A wedding feast in Matching Green appeared first on Phoenix FM.

The subject chosen by Margaret Mills her historical feature today concerned a lady who lived on the Essex/Hertfordshire border during the early 1800’s.

The lady in question was DIANA SPERLING, who was famous for her watercolour paintings, and became known as “THE JANE AUSTIN OF ART”.

Listen again here to what Margaret had to say about this amazing person:-

I’ll see you again next week,

The post Diana Sperling – “THE JANE AUSTIN OF ART” appeared first on Phoenix FM.

For this week’s look at past times, our resident local historian, Margaret Mills who took us back to the tail end of the 17th century to look at crime prevention and punishment in those far off days.

At that time, before any police existed, if you were found to be drunk and disorderly, or believed to be involved in any nefarious activities, you might well have found yourself marched off to a “lock-up” or “cage” by the local nightwatchman, where you would be held overnight, before being dragged up before a local judge the following morning.

You can listen again here to what Margaret told me today: –

I very much look forward to your company once more next week,

The post Ye Olde village “cage” appeared first on Phoenix FM.