Martha Longhurst.
Martha Longhurst[1] was a character in Coronation Street from December 1960 to Ep 357 - 13 May 1964. She was the drinking parter of Ena Sharples and Minnie Caldwell.
Martha was played by actress Lynne Carol.
Biography
Backstory
Martha Hartley was born in 1896 in Weatherfield to Jack Hartley and Mary Hartley. In 1919 she married Percy Longhurst. They had a daughter Lily Longhurst in 1926 and a son Harold Longhurst in 1927. Harold died in 1929 aged 2 after drowning. The funeral was kept quiet. Only Albert Tatlock, and Martha's friends Ena Sharples and Minnie Caldwell knew about her second child. One time, Martha had a fling with Handel Gartside. In 1946, Martha's husband Percy died aged about 50.
1960-1964
By December 1960, Martha was 64 years old and was retired, she loved gossiping with Minnie and Ena in The Rovers snug.
In May 1964, Martha attended Frank Barlow's leaving do. She ordered a sherry and felt hot so she went to sit alone in the Snug of The Rovers Return. She undid her top button of her coat. She then felt stabbing pains and slouched over the table. She was found by Len a few minutes later, lifeless. Len said "She's dead". She was 68 years old.
The party was cut short by her death and everyone left quietly. Ena and Minnie grieved for Martha. Ena said how old she was when she died. She was later buried with her husband Percy.
After her death
In June 1970, Handel Gartside returned to Weatherfield after 33 years of living in Canada. He was chatting to Ena and Minnie in The Rovers and said he needs to buy 3 drinks, as he is sure Martha will come into the pub in a minute but Ena broke the news that Martha died 6 years ago.
In May 1974, on the 10th anniversary of her death, the occasion was marked.
In May 1975, 11 years on, it was believed Martha's ghost was haunting The Rovers.
In May 1979, Ena Sharples said it has been 15 years since Martha died.
In September 2011, Roy Cropper wondered why there was strange noises coming from inside his cafe, Roys Rolls, Rosamund Street. Dennis Tanner joked it was the ghost of Martha Longhurst, Roy had no idea who Martha was and Dennis said it was before Roy's time.
Memorable info
Born: 2nd September 1896
Full Name: Martha Longhurst (Nee Hartley)
Parents: Jack Hartley and Mary Hartley
Siblings: 2 sisters
Spouse: Percy Longhurst (1919-1946)
Children: Lily Longhurst (1926), Harold Longhurst (1927)
Grandchildren: Sandra Haddon