WESTON SUPER MARE, Connaught Place

[Ecneps]

Hi,

Does anyone know if Wyndham Villa, Connaught Place, Weston Super Mare still exists?

Would love to have a photo of it or surrounding area if possible

Many thanks, Barbara

[Theli p]

Hello barbara
Sorry for slow reply . I do not check the Somerset boards very often. I was near Connaught Place yesterday. If you like I will go back next weekend and have a search for Wyndham Villas.I only live about 10 minutes away!
Best wishes Thelma

[Ecneps]

Hi Thelma,

Apologies for my own slow reply but have been away for 3 weeks and just got back today.

I would be so pleased if you could find Wyndham Villa and take a pic for me.  The head of the family was quite an eminent surgeon, so I imagine it should have been quite a large house.  I've looked back through the census records to see what the other houses in the road were called, as it may help to find it.  In 1901 in Connaught Place were (in this order): Glenare, Lahore Villa, Cardigan Villa, Elmgrove, Wyndham Villa, Penrhos House, Eglington Villa.

Many thanks, Barbara

[Theli p]

Hi Barbara
I will go searching as soon as I can-(n the next few days). If I find it, my husband will take some photos then I'll be in touch again 
Best wishes Thelma

[Ecneps]

Thanks, Thelma, much appreciated   

[Theli p]

Hi Barbara
Well we've been to Connaught Place. It is still there but could only find two names and they were not on your list. They all had numbers. I asked two ladies who lived there and they could not help but have taken my phone number because they think they know someone who may know something about the names.

The houses certainly are impressive. Most had cellars and three storeys. They are on a hillside next to a park so when they were built they would have had very pleasant views. They are now split into flats. They are all built of limestone with sandstone decorations-this is very common around here.

I should be going to the library soon so will try to find out more information. If I fail I will ask the local family history society. There is bound to be a map showing the original names somewhere.

If there is anything else I can do to help please let me know.
Best wishes Thelma

[Ecneps]

Hi Thelma,

It all sounds very impressive.  I would love a photo of the houses even if they're not the actual Wyndham Villa, if you managed to take one?

The surgeon was Charles Vernon Hitchins, the family lived there from 1881 to 1911 and the house was the scene of a murder in 1887, Charles' son Ernest shot his sister Constance, I have a newspaper report which I've just re-read, from the Weston super Mare Gazette and it says the inquest took place at 1, Wyndham Villas on the day of the murder. Censuses just give the name Wyndham Villa.

Thanks very much for all your time and trouble,
Barbara

[MLCMIKE1]

Hi Barbara

I am not sure if you are still interested in this, but I can help you.  I actually run Murder and Ghost walks in Weston super Mare and one of the cases we feature is the Wyndham Villa death.

The house does indeed still exist, although it is not called Wyndham Villa any more.  Like most houses of its type here it has now been converted into flats.  It is the right house though as it is identified on the 1888 plan of weston, and it's easy to match the plan to the current layout of the properties there.

If you are still interested I am quite happy to take a picture for you, and can also send you a copy of the 1888 plan, let me know if you would like that

Mike Harding
Weston Walks

[Ecneps]

Hi Mike

Oh yes!! I am still very interested in this, I have been researching the family for my cousin, who is a direct descendant of the Hitchins family involved in the murder, and he will be delighted if you could take a photo and send the 1888 plan.  I will try to send you a personal message with my email address, although I think you may need to reply to this post as you are new to rootschat, before I can pm you.

Many thanks,
Barbara