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The Wench Is Dead
Reported recently in The Times was a piece concerning WENC in which Colin Dexter is quoted as saying; “We have come to the end as far as the programmes go. I have agreed that with the makers. The simple thing is that one gets older and I don’t have many more plots in me”. Filming took place in June without the familiar character of Lewis, who has been replaced by DC Adrian Kershaw (played by Matthew Finney). Transmission should be in early November. The editor would be pleased to receive any reviews for a future newsletter. | |||||||
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The New Book
It has now been confirmed from various sources that Colin Dexter has been persuaded or, to use his word, ‘bullied’ into writing a final Inspector Morse novel. However, according to The Times, Inspector Morse is to be killed off since Colin Dexter does not want any more films to be made. Colin is quoted as saying; “We have made 32 of these programmes now and we have had 75 people killed. It has made Oxford the murder capital of Europe ... My publishers are expecting one more book, which I am writing now. I just don’t want it filmed”. This view is also endorsed by John Thaw who is quoted as saying that “I think we have already filmed the best of the books”. | ||
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The Murder Of Christina Collins By Philip Attwell
Whilst the latest television adaptation (WENC) awaits airing on ITV this autumn, it is interesting to revisit the original book dedication. According to the dedication, it was Harry Judge, a ‘lover of canals’, who introduced Colin Dexter to the small book The Murder of Christina Collins by John Godwin. Subtitled ‘The “Bloody Steps” Murder’, it is still currently available in an enlarged and illustrated edition now running to 38 pages. It was a shorter version that Colin Dexter originally consulted, giving him various ideas and themes that he expertly moulded and changed for the historical parts of WENC. The booklet tells of the 1839 murder of Christina Collins as she travelled the Trent and Mersey Canal at Rugeley, Staffordshire. It gives many details of Christina’s early life and the criminal trial that followed her murder. Two boatmen were hung for the murder and a further boatman transported for his involvement. John Godwin has continued to be interested in the matter and has since traced direct descendants of Christina’s brother, Alfred Brown. One branch lives in Nottingham and the other in London, not knowing of each other’s existence until John brought them together. Christina is the great great great aunt to both branches. Copies are available from John Godwin at 5 including postage and packing from 12 Doudney Close, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire LE9 4TG. John Godwin has also written another 19th century criminal account, that of the Rugely doctor, William Palmer. He poisoned about 15 people, including many of his family. He was hung in Staffordshire in 1856. The hangman, George Smith, curiously began his macabre career by agreeing to be the hangman’s assistant at the execution for the Christina Collins murder. Smith, in jail at the time for debt, took on the job in return for a settlement of his debt! The story has just been made into a film by Yorkshire Television, featuring Keith Aclan as Palmer and was shown at Easter. The Pocket Palmer is available from Mrs. V. Moore, Katherine House Hospice, Weston Road, Stafford ST16 3SB (telephone 01785 254645) for just 5 including postage and packing (cheques payable to Katherine House Hospice, who receive all profits from this book). | ||
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