Oldton

Dear Tim

I am slightly older than you and I remember my parents and grandparents talking about a murder in Oldton in the 1940s. You can imagine it was a shocking event in such a small place and it was talked about for many years. I recall that the victim was a women who worked in the brush factory. I think her name was Alice Higginbotham and my grandmother used to say that she was no better than she ought to be.

The body was found in Matthew Street and although the local streetsweeper, Horace Green was suspected by the villagers there was never a trial. I can't remember Alice, but Horace is still alive and now lives in the neighbouring village of Newton. Although he is now in his eighties he is a giant of a man with a big round face and a slow manner of speech. A bit different, and that might be the only reason he was suspected. After all, at the time of the murder the RAF station was in full swing and I favour the theory that it was a serviceman who dunnit.

Hope this helps your history of your childhood in Oldton.

Regards
Jean McLennan