Labour of Love for Historians

Transcript

Labour of love for historians

Celebrating 200 Years – 1812 – Serving the community – 2012

A NEW book celebrating the Express’ 200th birthday was launched this week the result of a 40-year labour of love.

The book, entitled Windsor and Eton Express 1812 to 1830, tells the story of the newspaper’s first 18 years under the ownership of Charles Knight senior and his son.

It was launched on Monday at Windsor Museum in the historic Guildhall.

German-born Brigitte Mitchell, 71, who is chairman of Windsor Local History Group, started studying old copies of the paper in 1971 while working for a PhD as part of her teacher training.

She said: “I came to England after marrying my husband Raymond. He was in the Grenadier Guards, and we met when he joined my fencing club in Dusseldorf.

“We arrived in Windsor in 1969 when he was in the King’s Troop.

“I started researching the town as part of my studies, and the Express told me everything I needed to know.“
The grandmother-of-two went on to teach at Slough Grammar School as well as several Windsor schools.
But researching Windsor’s history through the Express had become an ‘addiction‘, and Brigitte has never stopped.

The book covers the period during George IV’s time as prince regent and king. Stories in the Express
appeared about festivities, floods, health, hostelries and crimes as well as activities at the barracks and the castle. The book puts these stories in context, even suggesting that the paper’s founder, Charles Knight, may have been the illegitimate son of Frederick, Prince of Wales, son of George II.

Major contributions alongside Brigitte’s were also made by fellow history enthusiasts Hester Davenport, Sue Ashley and Pamela Marson.

Hester is a past chairman of Windsor Local History Group.

She is a veteran historian and author of books on novelist and playwright Fanny Burney and actress Mary Robinson, the mistress of George IV. She has lived in Old Windsor since 1964.

Pamela Marson, of Dedworth Road, Windsor, is a founder member of the history society and has been editor of the Windlesora, the group’s magazine for 15 years.

Sue Ashley is the group’s secretary.

At Monday’s reception, president of the group John Handcock described the book as ‘an incredible milestone, remarkably encapsulating the stories that enlivened the 10,400 copies produced over two centuries‘.

AN EXHIBITION celebrating the founder of the Windsor Express is currently running at the town’s museum. Charles Knight launched the Express in August 1812 – exactly 200 years ago.

His son Charles Knight junior took over from him. The Knight era lasted from 1812 to 1827. Stories they covered included the collapse of banks, riots and floods.

Images

Curator's Notes

HISTORY LADIES: Hester Davenport, Brigitte Mitchell. Pamela Marson and Sue Ashley. Ref:114188-4

EARLY DAYS: Right, Brigitte Mitchell and Hester Davenport survey the first edition of the Express in the Charles Knight exhibition. Ref:114151-1

WORK IN PROGRESS: Below, the history group check through old Express editions. Ref:113799-26

HALL OF FAME: Above, Bill Hall, editor of the Express from 1977 to 1996, with the new book. Ref:114188-10

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