Bygones and Essex Tales Archives - Phoenix FM

When does an existing town become “A New Town?

That was the question Margaret Mills posed today as she took us back to South Woodham Ferrers, in the mid 1970’s.

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

I hope to see you once more next week,

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You may remember that last week, Margaret Mills took us on a trip to Witham to look at the time that the town was involved with the weaving trade, and later after spa water had been found, for a short while the town had become a bit of hit with those wishing to take to the water.

This week Margaret returned to Witham, but on a much sadder occasion when in September 1905, the town became the scene of an horrific rail smash after an express train de-railed at Witham station.

If you missed what Margaret said, you can listen again here:-

A hope you will be able to join me once again next week at this same time,

The post A horrific rail disaster in Witham appeared first on Phoenix FM.

The subject chosen by Margaret Mills this week concerned the town of Witham between the 16th and 18th centuries when it was THE place to be.

It seems that at one time the town was favoured by Flemish weavers as a base for the cloth industry, and a bit later the town was renowned for its health giving spa waters.

If you missed it, you can catch what Margaret had to say, you catch it all again here: –

Hope to see you again next week,

The post Witham in olden times appeared first on Phoenix FM.

For today’s feature MARGARET MILLS explained how King Henry VIII’s “Mr Fixit”, Sir Thomas Moore is connected with our county.

If you missed what Margaret said, catch it all again here: –

See you once more next week,

The post Sir Thomas Moore – Henry VIII’s Mr Fixit who fell foul of his master appeared first on Phoenix FM.

For today’s trip back in time, Margaret Mills looked back at the life of an Essex born folklorist, ENID PORTER from Westcliff on Sea, who spent many years working as a curator at the Museum of Cambridge. 

Listen here to what Margaret told me about this remarkable woman and her achievements is archiving a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of social and cultural history, legends and folklore: –

I’ll see you again next week,

The post Enid Porter – folklorist extraordinaire appeared first on Phoenix FM.

The subject chosen today by Margaret Mills for her BYGONES feature was Terling Place and one of it’s former occupants Lord Rayleigh.

Listen here to what Margaret told me today: –

I’ll see you again next week,

The post Terling Place and Lord Rayleigh – re-visited! appeared first on Phoenix FM.

For today’s historical feature, Margaret Mills looked at the lives of Essex based father and son cartographers, John Walker Snr and Jnr, whose maps were renowned for the details shown and accuracy of the maps they produced – exceptional given that we are talking of the 16th century.

Listen here to all that Margaret had to say about these worthies: –

Right that’s me done for another week. See you again same time next week,

The post Map makers of old appeared first on Phoenix FM.

The subject of Margaret Mills’ historical feature today concerned a man who was the Lord of the Manor of Weald Park and Weald Hall in the early part of the 19th century.

Known as Squire Christopher Tower, it seems that he hit on the idea of spinning goat wool, not as it turns out with a great deal of success.

But he was much better at breeding the animals.

If you missed what Margaret said, you can catch it all again here: –

See you again next time,

The post A New look at Squire Christopher Tower of Brentwood appeared first on Phoenix FM.

This involved the excavation of a burial chamber which appears to have been connected with a person of some importance, possibly even a one-time King of Essex, which was found close to the SAXON KING PUB in Prittlewell.

If you missed what Margaret had to say on this subject, you catch it all again here:-

Right I look forward to seeing you once again next week,

The post The Prittelwell Prince – re-visited appeared first on Phoenix FM.

For her historical feature this week, Margaret Mills took us back to the 19th century to look at the life of a renowned cook, AGNES BERTHA MARSHALL, who was born in Walthamstow in 1855.

Miss Marshall was dubbed “THE ICE CREAM QUEEN, being one of the first to be credited with the invention of an early ice cream making machine.

Listen here to what Margaret had to say about this remarkable woman: –

Scott

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