RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: RoyW46 on Thursday 01 February 18 11:14 GMT (UK)
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Hello everybody
Help please, my wife's Grandfather was Thomas Willett born Brighton 1888 died Islington 1944. He was a resident of Hastings for most of his life and was better known as Tom Willett Hastings Sand Artist. In the 1930's at low tide on the sands at Hastings, Dymchurch and Folkestone, he would sketch in the sands, his most famous sketch being that of Salisbury Cathedral.
I know that on 27th March 1937 he was interviewed on the popular Radio Show: In Town To-night. Possibly during the same broadcast some other Hastings men were interviewed including: Mr. Bill Martin a Lugworm Digger and Hastings Lifeboat member, Mr. Wicking a Hawker and Mr A.M. Breach the Lover's Seat Photographer.
I have tried searching (online) the BBC Radio Archives and the British Library Archives and although I found a number of details of broadcasts on this Radio Show for 1937, none included the Hastings men.
My wife's wish is naturally enough a desire to obtain a copy of the recording when her Grandfather Tom Willett was talking, but to hear the other men would be just as interesting, certainly the surname of: Martin is well known in the Old Town of Hastings.
We would also like to know where the show was broadcast from, what Studio was used, the Wavelength and apart from the: Hastings and St Leonards Observer, Saturday, March 27, 1937 where else would we find information about the broadcast? What Newspapers, Journal or Magazines would have carried information.
From the Hastings and St. Leonards Observer we read that a 'script' prepared by Barry Funnell may have been used.
Any help or advice would be appreciated, thank you
Roy
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The Radio Times archive gives some brief information, but nothing about who took part - see
http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/2d134fb416fe4976b4c4266bb8874b97
where there's also a link to an image of the page in Radio Times.
It was apparently on the National Programme. The page in the above link says it was broadcast from Daventry, but at the top of the original page it says Droitwich, and it was 200KHz/1500m long wave, but also on medium wave in some parts of the country.
Wikipedia has an article on the National Programme - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_National_Programme
Also one on In Town Tonight - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Town_Tonight
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Arthurk
Thank you, sorry I did not reply earlier. I have written to Simon Rooks of the BBC, keep you posted on updates.
Thanks again all the best
Roy
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I just came across your post. I am trying to trace my Willett family (after a DNA 'discovery') My grandmother was Gentina Willett. She was born in Portsmouth but grew up in Hastings. Her mother was Matilda Jane Sandwell and possible father John Willett (son of John, a cutler). One of my theories for John sr is the brother of Henry Willett who was Thomas Willett's father. If your wife knew anything of Gentina (Genty) Willett, who married a Compton, I would love to know. Apparently Genty took my father Maurice down to Hastings regularly for a holiday.
I am really struggling with identifying my Willett family and trying to match it to my DNA. My closest matches are Scamps, Boswells and Lees.
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Hello Travelling Girl
My wife remembers the name of Genty re the Willett Family History. I will put together the information I have gathered about the Willett Family, also we will get in touch with my wife's cousin: Tommy Willet he lives in Hastings (as we used to) and might have knowledge of the history of: GENTINA WILLETT, the COMPTON's and the others that you name.
You will have to wait until just after Christmas for any information I have. Somebody will have to 'refresh' my memory as to how I can provide my email address to contact you - if that helps at all.
Look forward to your reply.
Happy Christmas
Roy
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Hello Roy,
Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly! Your post made my day as I have artistic talent, and no idea where it came from! I have been a photographer for many years and you can see my work at Shelagh Delphyne Photography. I can also be contacted there.
Have a wonderful Christmas! I look forward to hearing from you, and someone who might be able to shed light on my family. It appears from the records that Genty committed bigamy. It is a tangled web and I am just so sad that I never had the chance to meet Genty and ask her about the family. She died in 1969.
Many thanks, Shelagh