House’s Leigh History

A RESEARCHER has revealed that a famous Leigh location was the home of not only Dame Vera Lynn, but also a co-founder of Southend’s famous EKCO factory.

Jim Sanctuary was researching the history of the famous electrical company for a presentation to the Leigh Estuary U3A history group, when he discovered that 135 Marine Parade was the family home of important local businessman Eric Kirkham Cole.

“Eric married his assistant Muriel Bradshaw in 1925, and 135 Marine Parade became their family home,” said Mr Sanctuary.

“It’s a very unusual name, and it stood out when I was looking through old copies of Kelly’s Directory.”

The name also gave the letters for the business, with Mr Cole’s initials being used for the logo.

Mr Sanctuary is related to the other EKCO founder, William ‘Billy’ Streatfield Verrells, who with Mr Cole set up the electronics company, which produced radio and television sets from 1924 until 1960.

Mr Cole and Mr Verrells had met when they lived near each other in Cotswold Road.

Mr Sanctuary explains: “They became friends this way, and it was Billy who persuaded Eric to design a radio that was run off mains power.

“Before 1926 there was no standardised voltage either, and my uncle Billy was fed up of having to recharge his radio batteries!”

Whilst Mr Cole was the technical arm of the business, Mr Sanctuary’s uncle Mr Verrells provided finance and marketing.

“Although my grandfather was a teacher, he also had a World War I pension having been gassed in the great war,” says Mr Sanctuary.

“He could see the potential of Eric’s invention, so he invested money with him in the business.

“They were also very great friends and went on holiday together, too” Mr Sanctuary added.

The corner house, which overlooks the estuary, is currently the subject of much speculation as it is reputedly one the homes of “the force’s sweetheart” Dame Vera Lynn, whom the late Sir David Amess was campaigning to have a statue made of.

Links to the Second World War continue, for EKCO was crucial in the eventual allied success.

Mr Sanctuary said “they had to sign official secrets act. EKCO a household name, also developed radar for use by the military in World War Two. Quite apart from being the biggest business in the town they were really internationally renowned.”

A statue of Mr. Cole is located near Priory Park, near the site of the old EKCO factory – once one of the largest employers in the Borough.

Mr Sanctuary suggested that not only should the house, currently the subject of a planning application, not be demolished, but that it is a prime candidate for a blue plaque, given these historic links.

EKCO is an incredibly important part of Southend’s history, as much as being a crucial index in the development of technology and history in the 20th century.

Mr Sanctuary adds: “If it’s not demolished, the property would be a worthy candidate for a Blue Plaque.”

Plans are currently filed with Southend Council to demolish the house to make way for flats. Developer P and PR property developments have submitted revised plans to replace the historic building after a previous bid to build seven apartments was rejected.

Two previous applications to the home, from different developers, have also both been refused by the Council.

To learn more about Leigh Estuary U3A, visit: https://leighestuaryu3a.org/

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