How Brown
05-06-2009, 07:13 PM
Many thanks to our beloved Monty for sharing his thoughts, his time and his effort on the questions submitted to him. :kiss:
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1. Since the last Ripper Convention in 2007...what sort of research have you been focusing on ? If no specific area, then what areas have you been dabbling in?
Jake, Gavin (Bromley) and I (along with help from Deb Arif, Rob Clack and Stewart Evans) were working on a project together in similar vein to the As far as article we did on Eddowes. However, due to various reasons its kinda stuttered and stalled. Its not been completely abandoned and I/we will be returning to it. I bloody determined to see it through.
At the moment I am working with Rob Clack on a series of articles for the Ripperologist magazine regarding the City PCs who were involved with Catherine Eddowes on the night she was murdered. Theres some pretty interesting info and whilst theres no huge revelations, it will bring life to these PCs. It will also leave you opened mouthed at times, believe me.
2. Any chance of a Neil Bell presentation at the next Ripper Convention in October?
No, Ive learnt my lesson.
2007 was awesome. To sit in the lounge of the hotel with Stewart Evans, Jake Luukanen, Gareth Williams, Rob Clack, Jeremy Beadle and so many others, and discuss Jack and life was a truly wonderful experience.
And boy can Stewart Evans dance !
3. Our field lacks a concise book on the witnesses..the vigilance committees...and what else to your mind,Neil? What is one aspect of the Case that you would like to see compiled in book form ?
One of my ultimate favourite books on the case is Nick Connells and Stewart Evans ‘The man who hunted Jack the Ripper’, a book about Edmund Reid. Id love to see more books like that. A book about the PCs who walked the streets and who were involved on the case would receive a warm welcome by me.
4. Any chance in your mind that the Macnaghten memoranda was never seen by any Home Office or police personnel?
Don’t know but Im sure Sir Melville would have discussed it privately with HO or Police cronies. For me the Memoranda was a personal venting of spleen by Macnaghten. As it says on the tin, a defence of a friend and an expression of a personal view….all dressed as ascertained fact. We Ripperologists never stood a chance thereon after.
5. Lets ask you what five events or developments that have transpired in the field since 2000, the beginning of the Millenium, have impressed you the most.
Blimey, only five you say? Let me first say that Im easily impressed. Images interest the hell out of me. I was impressed with the photographic finds of Tumblety, Harvey and Lawende and the possible ID of Abberline and Bagster Philips. The Dutfields Yard photo that Philip Hutchinson released was another of those wow moments.
I think what has really impressed me is the research into all aspects of the case. Mike Covells seemingly tireless work on Stephenson is breathtaking at times.
Debra Arif has found some real Gems that dip under a lot of people’s radar, her debunking of Ward as a possible victim for example. Also her work on the torso murders is spotless, as well as the Le Grande stuff.
Rob Clacks photographic finds are essential in my opinion. He and John Bennett are providing an image of the area that no words can describe.
Theres really so much going on How, its kinda snowballing. I think there has been more development on the case since 2000 than there was in the first 112 years or so.
Next time as me whats my favourite colour…its easier.
******************************
1. Since the last Ripper Convention in 2007...what sort of research have you been focusing on ? If no specific area, then what areas have you been dabbling in?
Jake, Gavin (Bromley) and I (along with help from Deb Arif, Rob Clack and Stewart Evans) were working on a project together in similar vein to the As far as article we did on Eddowes. However, due to various reasons its kinda stuttered and stalled. Its not been completely abandoned and I/we will be returning to it. I bloody determined to see it through.
At the moment I am working with Rob Clack on a series of articles for the Ripperologist magazine regarding the City PCs who were involved with Catherine Eddowes on the night she was murdered. Theres some pretty interesting info and whilst theres no huge revelations, it will bring life to these PCs. It will also leave you opened mouthed at times, believe me.
2. Any chance of a Neil Bell presentation at the next Ripper Convention in October?
No, Ive learnt my lesson.
2007 was awesome. To sit in the lounge of the hotel with Stewart Evans, Jake Luukanen, Gareth Williams, Rob Clack, Jeremy Beadle and so many others, and discuss Jack and life was a truly wonderful experience.
And boy can Stewart Evans dance !
3. Our field lacks a concise book on the witnesses..the vigilance committees...and what else to your mind,Neil? What is one aspect of the Case that you would like to see compiled in book form ?
One of my ultimate favourite books on the case is Nick Connells and Stewart Evans ‘The man who hunted Jack the Ripper’, a book about Edmund Reid. Id love to see more books like that. A book about the PCs who walked the streets and who were involved on the case would receive a warm welcome by me.
4. Any chance in your mind that the Macnaghten memoranda was never seen by any Home Office or police personnel?
Don’t know but Im sure Sir Melville would have discussed it privately with HO or Police cronies. For me the Memoranda was a personal venting of spleen by Macnaghten. As it says on the tin, a defence of a friend and an expression of a personal view….all dressed as ascertained fact. We Ripperologists never stood a chance thereon after.
5. Lets ask you what five events or developments that have transpired in the field since 2000, the beginning of the Millenium, have impressed you the most.
Blimey, only five you say? Let me first say that Im easily impressed. Images interest the hell out of me. I was impressed with the photographic finds of Tumblety, Harvey and Lawende and the possible ID of Abberline and Bagster Philips. The Dutfields Yard photo that Philip Hutchinson released was another of those wow moments.
I think what has really impressed me is the research into all aspects of the case. Mike Covells seemingly tireless work on Stephenson is breathtaking at times.
Debra Arif has found some real Gems that dip under a lot of people’s radar, her debunking of Ward as a possible victim for example. Also her work on the torso murders is spotless, as well as the Le Grande stuff.
Rob Clacks photographic finds are essential in my opinion. He and John Bennett are providing an image of the area that no words can describe.
Theres really so much going on How, its kinda snowballing. I think there has been more development on the case since 2000 than there was in the first 112 years or so.
Next time as me whats my favourite colour…its easier.