The grave of Eleanor R Heys and her brother Abraham

I had been given access to a ‘common-place book’, or scrapbook full of news cuttings referring to Miss Eleanor Heys, and dating from the 1900s - 1950s. It was probably started by the older Miss Heys, but may have been passed on to the younger. Earlier cuttings go back to 1904, but most are from the 1930s and 1940s, including a signed photo of Anona Winn, an actress and later radio star. Family cuttings refer to the deaths of her siblings, and her nephew, Robert Cecil Stables, in WW1, commemorated on his parents’ grave in Barrow Cemetery. (See furnessstoriesbehindthestones.co.uk/stories/stables-robert-cecil/)

There is a picture of Mr. Abraham Heys, (brother of Sarah Eleanor; father of Eleanor Robinson) cut from a local paper on the occasion of his death in 1926. There follows extended news cuttings regarding his life and interests, and of his funeral. Part of it reads:

“Mr. Abraham Heys, of 5, Fair-view, Dalton, passed away on Sunday at a nursing home in Manchester. He had been in failing health for the past year and was removed to Manchester on Wednesday afternoon. He was the son of the late Mr. Abraham and Sarah Heys, of Dalton, and the husband of the late Mary Ann Heys.

A well-known figure in Dalton, Mr. Heys was a member of the old Furness families of Ashburner and Case, and he held many public positions in the town. Thirteen years ago he was elected one of the representatives for the North Ward on the Dalton Council, and was a member of the Health Committee, serving a term as chairman of that committee. He was also a member of the local Higher Education Committee, and a member of the area Elementary Education Committee. He was one of the representatives of Dalton Council on the Joint Hospital Board. The Dalton Gas Committee has also had the benefit of his services as chairman, and he retained his membership for some time afterwards. Mr. Heys was a member of the jury of the Court Leet, and held one of the ancient offices connected therewith. He was a strong supporter of the Conservative cause, for which he worked enthusiastically. In addition to his other activities, Mr. Heys was a member of the committee of the Tradesmen’s Tontine Club (A kind of investment club – RMW), and was keenly interested in gardening and sport, particularly shooting and bowling.

The list of mourners begins: Abraham and Eleanor, son and daughter; Miss Heys, sister; Mr. Henry Heys, brother; Mr. and Mrs. M. Stables, brother-in-law and sister; Mr. Harry Stables, nephew …  and continues for another column.

A cutting from the Evening Chronicle 29 May 1933 shows a letter from Eleanor R. Heys, Royal Hotel, Southport, agreeing with the proposition that married women workers should undergo a Means Test, and that single women should be put on the “dole” to make way for unemployed men. She writes: “I agree with Mr. Dixon. I am a single woman, unemployed since 1921. There are cases I know of where married women (teachers) are drawing good salaries, while their husbands also have splendid positions.

These two salaries combined give the households all the comforts and pleasures of life, while others are starving.

Surely if these people have not the time to think a little of others, who through no fault of their own, are to-day suffering the misery of unemployment, then it is high time someone in authority stepped in and made it compulsory for women to give up work, providing, of course, that the husband is able to keep his wife and family.

Give up a few luxuries and give those in the ranks of the unemployed a little bread and butter.

My opinion is: If a woman wants marriage, make it a full-time job.”

“GRAND OLD LADY” OF DALTON WAS 98

Five days after celebrating her 98th birthday, Miss Sarah Eleanor Heys, the grand old lady of Dalton, died at her home, 5, Fair View, Dalton, on Saturday.

Miss Heys was known throughout Dalton. For 36 years she was headmistress of The Green School, Dalton, retiring in 1919, and was also headmistress of Lindal School for two years.

Her fondness for children was a byword, and every year since her 90th birthday she had given a party for the infants at The Green School. This year, however, her last illness prevented her both from giving the party and from appreciating the many birthday gifts and wishes that came to Fair View.

One of her greatest loves was the theatre, and four years ago she went to the Royal Court theatre. A telegram from Miss Anna Neagle was one of the many greetings from stage celebrities later received by Miss Heys. Miss Neagle and Elise and Doris Waters sent signed portraits to her, and these she greatly treasured.

For many years Miss Heys was president of Dalton Branch of the Women’s Unionist Association, and a member of Lancashire Education committee.

Former pupils of Miss Heys, many of whose children had themselves become pupils in their turn, visited her frequently, and she was always inundated with birthday messages and gifts.

She is survived by a nephew and niece, Mr. Abram (sic) Heys and Miss Eleanor Heys.

There follows an account of the service, mourners and wreaths.

MISS E. R. HEYS, DALTON

The death occurred at North Lonsdale Hospital on March 2 of Miss Eleanor Robinson Heys, of 5, Fair View, Dalton. She was the daughter of the late Abraham and Mary Ann Heys, a well known Dalton family. Miss Heys was a governor of Dowdales School, and a primary school manager. She was also a life member of Dalton Women’s Unionist Association. The service in St. Mary’s Parish Church, Dalton, on Monday, was conducted by the Rev. H. W. Mycroft (Vicar). The hymns were “The God of love” and “The day Thou gavest”. Mr. M. Wharton was the organist.

Mourners were Mr. A. Heys, brother; Mrs. Delya Somerville, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Jackson, cousins; Miss J. Tomkinson, Miss Penny (Ulverston), Miss P. A. James (Barrow), Mrs. Walker (Preston) … and another 85 names, 74 of them women. It goes on Representing the teaching profession were Mr. Franks (headmaster), Mr. Gill and Mrs Clague (of Dowdales); Mr. and Mrs. Murray; Mr. G. Welby (Broughton Road), Miss Secker, Miss D. Lumb, (Chapel Street), Miss Adams (Nelson Street), Mrs. E. Ullock (Askam Infants), Mrs Aynsley (Ireleth); school managers, Miss Knowles, Mrs. Hepworth, Rev. T. R. Harper and Mrs. Steele.

Representing Dalton Women’s Unionist Association were Mrs. Cornish, Miss Carswell, Mr (sic) Eade, Mrs. C. Atkinson, Mrs. N. Keast, Mrs. P. Preston, Mrs. Hodgson, Mrs. H. Atkinson, Mrs. Penny, Mrs. Hoyle, Mrs. Newby, Mrs. W. J. Dixon; representing Messrs. Kendall and Fisher were Mr. J. Ullock, Mr. H. Jenkins; representing John Hardy and Sons, Mr. H. Holmes; representing Martins Bank, Mr. Ritchie.

There follows a list of floral tributes, including ones from Miss Anna Neagle, and one from Miss Elsie and Miss Doris Waters.