Latest news with #MatthewHopkins
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Politics driving interest in witches and witch-hunts
Increased interest in the history of witchcraft and witch-hunts is connected to rising political intolerance and polarisation, according to a story of women persecuted by Matthew Hopkins, who proclaimed himself "Witchfinder General" in the 17th Century, is being told on ghost trails and heritage plaques in towns across the East of Marion Gibson of Exeter University, an expert in the history of witchcraft, said there had been a spike in interest in the subject, which she connected to contemporary events."People have an interest in histories of persecution because we do live in times where accusations are being thrown about," she said. "Things are very polarised. Some politicians have even started using the word 'witch-hunt' - we hear that quite a lot in the media - and I think that's all pushed up interest in real-life witch-hunts of the past."Prof Gibson said Hopkins, who was born at Great Wenham, Suffolk, and later died at his home in Manningtree, Essex, was "a fascinating creature". "From 1645 to 1647, when he died, this quite young man, in his mid-20s, rampaged across Essex, East Anglia and into the Midlands, accusing people of witchcraft," she said."By the time he is finished, about 200 people across that region have been executed."Hundreds more have been accused and had their lives ruined, and [were] thrown into prison." Ghost tours featuring stories of witches run in towns and cities including Norwich, Colchester, Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds, Proctor is host of The Original King's Lynn Ghost Tour, which covers the Norfolk port's ghost stories, myths and legends in 26 the weekly tours, devised during the Covid-19 pandemic lock-down, she typically welcomes between 10-20 people keen to know more about the darker side of the town."People say, 'I wasn't going to come because ghosts aren't really my thing' but they they are really glad they did because there is just so much history on the tour as well," she stop on her tour is the "heart house" on Tuesday Market Place, where the story of Mary Smith is told. According to Ms Proctor, Mrs Smith was the wife of a glovemaker who was always in awe of the other women who seemed to do so much better than her selling their goods at market. "One day the devil appeared in front of her, promising that if she renounced God she would be given power by the devil," she said."She would be able to curse people. This she did by cursing a sailor who had hit her son. His fingers began to rot and had to be amputated."Another alleged victim was a widow who Mary accused of stealing a hen, she said."The woman had to be taken to taken to her bed through illness and neighbours claimed to have seen her levitate from the bed. "Mary was condemned as a witch. She was burned at the stake and at the point of death her heart leapt from her chest and to lie under the spot where mysterious forces carved a heart within a diamond upon the wall." Prof Gibson said: "You have to think about why people are telling these stories, and it may be that this woman and others did think actually think she has the power to curse her neighbours."So I think in some cases we're dealing with people who have strong magical beliefs and might have thought had the capacity to curse."In other cases, we're probably just dealing with very innocent, ordinary people who have been accused because they are said to have looked at somebody funny, or the community just didn't like them." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New radiotherapy machine and £5.3m extension at Southend Hospital officially opens
A STATE-of-the-art radiotherapy machine that carries out bespoke treatments for patients with a range of cancers has officially opened at Southend Hospital. The 'LINAC' radiotherapy machine, which uses advanced technology to deliver precise treatments, has been welcomed with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It forms part of the £5.3million purpose-built extension to the radiotherapy department at Southend Hospital and is described as a 'major step forward' in cancer treatment across Essex. CEO Matthew Hopkins, first patient Leslie Cast, and Nicky Whilde, head of radiotherapy physics (Image: Mid and South Essex NHS Trust) Nicky Whilde, head of radiotherapy physics at Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, said: 'This is an advanced piece of equipment that will mean that more patients in mid and south Essex receive their radiotherapy with the latest technology. 'It uses surface-guided radiation therapy cameras to guide the radiotherapy, meaning radiation is delivered to the exact location of the tumour and minimises damage to surrounding healthy tissues. 'The machine can also adapt its doses as the tumour changes shape over time.' Essex County councillors in front of the new LINAC machine (Image: Mid and South Essex NHS Trust) The machine has already been in use for several weeks, with 20 patients having received daily radiotherapy courses. Leslie Cast, 79, from St Lawrence, Maldon, was the first patient to receive treatment using the new machine. He was present at the ceremony, along with Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford; David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh; Dame Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point; and Richard Holden, MP for Basildon and Billericay. Mr Burton-Sampson said: 'This is an exciting step forward for cancer care in Southend. 'Developments like the introduction of the hospital's new LINAC radiotherapy machine can't come soon enough. 'Patients will receive the very best care with this cutting-edge technology. It will ensure patients get the best chance for recovery.' Dame Rebecca Harris added: 'This is brilliant news for people living in Castle Point and across south Essex. 'This will improve outcomes and experiences for people going through some of the toughest times in their lives. 'It's encouraging to see such an important development for Southend Hospital, and I want to thank everyone who's worked so hard to make it a reality.'
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Chief executive of NHS trust in south Essex celebrates 40 years of service
The chief executive of an NHS trust in south Essex has celebrated 40 years of service in the health sector. Matthew Hopkins, who began his career as a nurse, marked the milestone on International Nurses Day, on May 12. Mr Hopkins, now the chief executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, started his journey in 1985 as a student nurse at Addenbrooke's Hospital. He began as a junior nurse on the haematology ward, caring for patients with leukaemia and other blood disorders. Reflecting on his career, Mr Hopkins said: "Caring for patients when they need you most is the greatest privilege. "That experience has shaped every role I've held since. "There are many patients I still remember vividly, especially as a young nurse myself, the young people diagnosed with cancer, facing their darkest days with remarkable courage." He shared a formative experience from his early years, adding: "I recall one situation where I knew a patient's blood results weren't good, but I followed protocol and left it to the consultant to share the news the next day. "My patient could sense something was wrong and called me out on it. "That moment taught me the profound importance of authenticity and transparency. "Being true to yourself and honest with those in your care. It's a principle I've carried throughout my leadership career." After 16 years working as a nurse across London hospitals, Mr Hopkins transitioned from bedside care to executive leadership. This shift brought significant challenges, particularly in ensuring that patient voices and clinical perspectives remained central to decision-making. He said: "It can be dangerously easy to make decisions at management level that simply don't translate to the clinical environment or enhance patient experience. "Ensuring that patients and frontline teams remain at the heart of every conversation has always been my priority." Over the past four decades, Mr Hopkins has witnessed the transformation of nursing as a profession, with more specialist nurses taking on highly skilled roles. He said: "Today's nurses possess a vastly expanded skill set compared to when I trained, more than most people realise." Mr Hopkins's journey from nurse to chief executive, celebrated on International Nurses Day, highlights the powerful impact that nurses can have in hospitals, both while caring for patients and as leaders in their field. His career path serves as a testament to the essential role that nurses play in hospital care and the importance of leadership at every level of the NHS.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'This will impact residents': Southend Hospital campaign group react to job cuts
A CAMPAIGN group dedicated to protecting patient services at Southend Hospital has spoken out following the announcement of further Mid and South Essex NHS job cuts. The Mid and South Essex NHS Trust is set to slash 743 jobs before next March, citing a need to maximise value for money and put resources where they are needed most. A spokesperson for Save Southend NHS, has said that now is not the time for cuts and that any amount will have serious impacts on patients. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. "Given the many long waiting lists and severe shortage of beds across all departments, we cannot see how any jobs can be cut from frontline staff numbers," said the Save Southend NHS spokesperson. "For a long time now many wards have had limited staffing - sometimes below recommended levels. "All three hospitals, Southend, Basildon and Broomfield have closed wards, with not enough staff to open them. "Patients are not always receiving the level of care they should and staff are constantly being expected to do extra hours and shifts just to maintain very bare levels of care. 'Any job cuts will have a seriously negative impact on patients.' Vital - The trust is responsible for Basildon and Southend hospitals (Image: Google Maps) The Trust is currently facing an estimated £80 million black hole in its budget and the latest round of cuts follows cost-cutting measures last year that saw 450 positions slashed. Matthew Hopkins, chief executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, said: 'This is a continuation of our work to ensure we have the right staff in the right places to deliver the best patient care while spending taxpayers' money responsibly. 'The number of posts and roles across our organisation has grown by 2,000 in recent years, so we are reviewing staffing models and looking closely at roles to see whether they are genuinely needed and represent value for money.'
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bosses at south Essex hospital trust set to slash almost 750 jobs in latest cuts
JOB cuts are being planned by bosses at Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, with 743 posts set to be slashed before next March. The trust, which runs Southend and Basildon hospitals as well as Broomfield in Chelmsford, has said the plans are part of a process of maximising value for money and allocating resources where they are needed most. It follows a similar round of cuts last year, which saw 450 positions axed, down from an initially proposed target of 600. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. The Mid and South Essex NHS Trust is currently facing an estimated £80 million black hole in its budget. Matthew Hopkins, chief executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, said: 'This is a continuation of our work to ensure we have the right staff in the right places to deliver the best patient care while spending taxpayers' money responsibly. 'The number of posts and roles across our organisation has grown by 2,000 in recent years, so we are reviewing staffing models and looking closely at roles to see whether they are genuinely needed and represent value for money.'
