18 Nov 2024
A new tree is to be planted in St Albans city centre to remember the life and career of the city’s pioneering town clerk Betty Entwistle.
It replaces one planted in her honour outside a sheltered housing scheme in Holyrood Crescent, which was later felled to allow for the building of Eywood House.
Not only was Betty the first female town clerk in England, but she went on to become the first chief executive officer of St Albans City and District Council.
Back in February this year, a blue plaque commemorating Betty’s life was installed at her place of work, The Grange. which is now the pub The Saint & Sinner in St Peter’s Street, by local MP Daisy Cooper.
While researching her life, Blue Plaques St Albans uncovered the story of the original tree, and approached SADC about planting a replacement at new city centre development Jubilee Square.
Professor Tim Boatswain, the chairman of Blue Plaques St Albans, said: “We are delighted that the council has agreed to a replacement tree to commemorate Betty Entwistle. Betty was a wonderful role model of female empowerment at a time when there were few women in senior positions in local government. She had a deep commitment to the community of St Albans and is fondly remembered.
“The planting of a flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is an excellent way of reminding us all of the important contribution Betty made to St Albans city and district.”
Betty Vivian Entwistle was born in Lancashire, the daughter of Joseph Entwistle and his wife Nora (neé Buckley).
She attended Lancaster Girls Grammar School and then obtained an Honours degree in Law at Manchester University. She worked in the Morecambe and Heysham Town
Clerk’s office until she moved to St Albans in 1939 as a legal assistant to the city council.
She then became assistant solicitor and deputy town clerk (1944) before being appointed town clerk in 1960 – in competition with 67 other applicants.
She was the first woman in England to be appointed to such a position. The council offices at this time were in The Grange in St Peter’s Street. During her tenure, she conducted the ceremony when the Queen Mother was given Freedom of City in 1961 and also in May 1962 when freedom was given to Herts and Beds Yeomanry.
She became chief executive officer of the new St Albans City and District Council in 1973. She was closely associated with the expansion of leisure services, including those of Westminster Lodge and the Civic Centre, and was greatly respected for her dedication to the city community.
Betty was also active in local arts and conservation societies, and was secretary of the Eastern Orchestral Association.
She died suddenly on August 2 1975 at her home at 4 York Road.
The tree planting is due to take place this Thursday afternoon as part of the ‘Welcome Event to Jubilee Square’, organised by Watford Community Housing.
