A Very Victorian Murder: The intriguing true story of the Saville Murders in Colwick Woods

About

Tuesday 18 April 2023 I 7pm
Venue: Arnold Methodist Church
Tickets: £1.00 for members and £3.00 for non-members

 

Image Credits:

Image of William Saville is credited to The Paul Nix Collection

The National Justice Museum image is credited to Pamela Raith Photography

 

This talk by Mick Whysall gives a fascinating account of the murder of the entire Saville family, at the hands of William Saville. 

The heinous crime took place in Colwick Woods (Colwick Spinney). At his trial, Saville was inevitably found guilty and was sentenced to death by hanging.

On the morning of his execution, a huge crowd gathered to witness the event. One witness stated that there was “an immense crowd of many thousands of men, women and children.”  With no crowd control, as Saville’s body fell, a sudden surge by the crowd resulted in many people being crushed and trampled, leaving many dead. It was these deaths and the circumstances surrounding Saville’s public execution outside Nottingham’s Shire Hall on Wednesday 7th August 1844, which led directly to the change in the local authority’s policy towards public hangings and indirectly influenced attitudes regarding capital punishment.

Mick’s account of the tragic event in Colwick Woods is fascinating.  All are welcome to come along and listen to his talk.