Witham in Essex is a prominent town in the county with a number of famous faces hailing from the area including singer Olly Murs and former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
Essex – famed for its rich diversity – stands out as one of England’s most eclectic counties, boasting an enchanting blend of bustling cityscapes, charming coastal towns, and idyllic rural retreats, all woven with a tapestry of historical significance. The county is strategically connected to London through robust infrastructure and the natural route provided by the River Thames, which has historically made it a magnet for invasions from Romans, Vikings and Anglo-Saxons.
Such a storied heritage often leaves those not from Essex tongue-tied when trying to pronounce local place names. This even trips up public figures; many find themselves caught out when attempting local appellations, including Witham.
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Witham, where pop star Olly Murs hails from, is renowned in Essex but often mispronounced due to confusion over its ‘th’. Rather than a soft ‘th’ like in ‘bath’, Witham sports a hard ‘t’, rightly pronounced ‘Witt-ham’.
Even former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak once fumbled over the name during Prime Minister’s Questions on May 22 last year. He stumbled responding to Sir John Whittingdale, MP for Maldon, who raised concerns his constituents had been waiting for a new hospital at St Peter’s “for over 20 years”.
The plans indicated the possibility of the current facility closing without a replacement lined up, reports Essex Live. Sir Whittingdale said to the Prime Minister: “It leaves my constituents and those of Ms Priti Patel [MP for Witham] having to travel up to 30 miles for some treatments,”.
Mr Sunak responded: “I know that he [Sir Whittingdale] and the Right Honourable Friend for Witham met both the Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care and the Minister for Social Care recently to discuss this.
“I understand the ICB have extended their consultation to be extended for three weeks to ensure that more consideration can be given and voices can be heard, but I will ensure that the relevant ministers keep my Right Hon Friend updated on the progress of this.”