Category: Local History
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The Signalman Who NEVER Came Home: The BIZARRE Death of Samuel Gains, 1911 // Ewood Bridge
In the early hours of a cold morning in 1911, Samuel Gains, a signalman working at Ewood Bridge in the North West of England, mysteriously vanished from his post at the railway’s signal box. A respected and diligent worker, Samuel’s sudden disappearance baffled his colleagues, as the night seemed uneventful, with no sign of struggle…
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From CAPTIVITY to Courtroom: The CLITHEROE Kidnapping Sensation 1891
In this gripping historical narrative, we delve into the harrowing tale of Emily Emma Maude Jackson, a woman kidnapped by her own husband, Edmund, on March 8th, 1891. For over ten days, Emily was confined in a house in Blackburn, a prisoner to her spouse’s cruel intentions. Her dramatic rescue came only after her determined…
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FREDDIE STARR – Visiting his GRAVE and talking about his LIFE // Liverpool
Freddie Starr, born on January 9, 1943, in Huyton, England, was a prominent British comedian known for his energetic and eccentric performances, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. Rising to fame with his television appearances on shows like “Opportunity Knocks” and “The Freddie Starr Show,” Starr became a household name with his unpredictable humor and…
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HIGHGATE CEMETERY / Catch-up & Extra Footage JEAN SIMMONS / Great Train Robbery
In this video, the first of many upcoming ‘debrief’ videos, we will be talking about our visit to Highgate Cemetery as well as including some extra pieces of footage that didn’t make it into the original video. We will also answer some of the questions our viewers left in the comments section of that first…
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OWD CANKY the MIDDLETON GRAVE ROBBER
The legend of ‘OWD CANKY or William Lancashire if we are to use his real name, has been passed down throughout the generations. Tales of grave robbing and the illegal act of selling corpses was a common problem in Victorian-era cemeteries. They stole everything from rings and necklaces to the bodies themselves. But is the…
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The Story That Wasn’t.. True? Blackburn’s Darkest Rumour – 1929
In Victorian Blackburn, a single whisper was enough to ignite fear, outrage, and suspicion across an entire town. What began as a shocking wager quickly spiralled into panic. But as the dust settled, one chilling reality emerged: was the story actually true? In this episode of Days of Horror, we examine the Blackburn Hoax -…
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Words Before the End: The Last Letters of James Hamer / Haslingden (1854)
In 1854, in the quiet Lancashire town of Haslingden, a young man named James Hamer sat down to write his final words. Those letters – heavy with sorrow, confusion, and resignation – would be the last trace he left behind. In this episode, we examine the life and state of mind of James Hamer, explore…
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The Town That Should Have Been Wiped Out (Church, 1917)
On 28th April 1917, disaster erupted at a chemical mill turned munitions factory in Church, Oswaldtwistle. Flames, shockwaves, and the threat of a far greater explosion placed hundreds of lives in immediate danger. In the midst of chaos stood James Hardacre — a local police constable who refused to run when others fled. His actions…