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Events for 2025
I am available for talks, and subjects include:
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Joseph Merrick: The Elephant Man.
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Life and Execusion of Peppermint Billy in 1856
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The Melton Mowbray Toll Gate Murder 1856
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Recreation of the Trial of William Brown - The Last Man Publicly Hanged in Leicester.
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Wigston - The Wistow Poaching Murder of 1873
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Murders/Execusions and Crime in the 19th and early 20th Century in Leicester.
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Past Residents of Leicester and Their Untold Stories
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Trench Cats of WW1 and Their Stories.
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Please get in touch if you would like more information....
Leicester Comedy Festival 2025
Dates: 9 February 2025
Time: 18:00
Duration: 60 mins
Price: £7.50
Genre: Historical
Venue: Wygston's House
Stand-up comedian Richard Pulsford (Scottish Comedian of the Year runner-up 2021 and UK Pun Championships winner 2022) hosts this show for history fans, back in Leicester for a sixth year. Three guest comedians / history buffs (Kevin Hudson, Ben Ennis and Jo Mungovin) perform short stand-up sets based ‘on this day’ in history before exploring some of the real and imagined history of Leicester people and events. Recorded for the It Just So Happened history podcast. Go to the website itjustsohappened.co.uk and @ItJustSo1 on Twitter for further details.
https://comedy-festival.co.uk/events/it-just-so-happened-an-alternative-history-show/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGwETBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbGb8qBYI3RozPkwqJRZY31maPHqdMbbRGGM3AfsqZ2-JVNrDdZ7z2iQfQ_aem_hKmzNbMt1SNphR_MCojN2Q
The Story of Joseph Merrick
18 March 2025
Desford Free Church 7pm
Desford Heritage Local History Group
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Murder and Mayham
Narborough & Littlethorpe Historical Society
15 April 2025
7pm
The story of Mabel Pepper – The prolific shoe thief of Edwardian Leicester
11 March 2025
The Guildhall Leicester.
Tickets ONSALE SOON..........
Join us for a fascinating talk by Leicester author and historian Joanne Vigor-Mungovin, as she delves into the intriguing life of Mabel Pepper and uncovers the secrets of how she rose to become one of Leicester's most renowned and notorious female thieves.
Mabel Mary Pepper, born in 1887 as one of nine children, gained notoriety for her prolific thievery and specific penchant for shoes. In 1909, Mabel was accused of breaking into the shop of Thomas Hurst, located at 83 Clipstone Street in Leicester, where she allegedly stole a staggering amount of twenty-six pairs of boots, totalling in value at £12.00. Upon her arrest in Orchard Street in Leicester, authorities discovered that she had fourteen pairs of boots hidden in her room.
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Re-trial of Peppermint Billy
16 March 2025
The Guildhall Leicester
Tickets ONSALE SOON
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Peppermint Billy was the last man publicly hanged in Leicester in 1856. His conviction has always been questioned and shrouded in mystery. A returned convict - William Brown, otherwise known as Peppermint Billy was transported to Van Diemen's Land in 1843, thirteen years later he returned home. Convicted of a double murder, William became the last man publicly hanged in Leicester.
For a unique and immersive experience, we invite you to join Leicester historians Joanne Vigor-Mungovin and Eddie Smallwood as they take on the roles of defence and prosecution in a recreation of the infamous trial of William Brown - Peppermint Billy. Through their expert storytelling, you will hear never-before-seen evidence not presented during the original trial, and newly discovered evidence will be presented to you, the audience. With all this information, you will have the power to decide for yourself if William was truly guilty or not.
The Trial of Hannah Read
On 21 April 1825 - Hannah Read of Shearsby supposedly pushed her husband - James Read into the Grand Union Canal near to Foxton in Leicestershire.
On the 3 August 1825, Hannah Read was brought to trial at the Leicester Assizes for the alleged murder of her husband. Two days later, on the 5th of August, Hannah was sentenced to execution and publicly put to death outside the Bridewell on Infirmary Square in Leicester.
Hannah Read, a woman who lived in a time of great scrutiny and punishment, was the final female in Leicester to endure the gruesome practice of being dissected after her execution.
On 26 April 2025 - The Guildhall will recreate the trial of Hannah Read and see if a jury today would find her guilty......................
Saturday 26th April 2025
Start at 7:30pm, trial approx. 1 hour, drinks intermission,
Judges verdict at 9pm.
Event concluded by 9:30pm
Leicester Guildhall
Tickets £18.25
Ticket includes admission, refreshments, and access to the Guildhall, including Hannah’s cell.
On the night of the event, twelve men and twelve women will be randomly selected from the audience to serve on two separate juries.
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