02 Feb 2024
A blue plaque commemorating the life of the first female town clerk in England and SADC’s first chief executive officer will be unveiled at The Saint & Sinner pub later this month.
Betty Entwistle was a hugely significant figure in local government, and will be recognised with the 11th plaque installed by Blue Plaques St Albans, a voluntary organised established to commemorate famous men and women who have lived and worked in the city.
St Albans MP Daisy Cooper will be the guest of honour at the installation, which takes place at what was her former place of work, The Grange, 16 St Peter’s Street.
Betty Vivian Entwistle was born in Lancashire, the daughter of Joseph Entwistle and his wife Nora (neé Buckley). She attended Lancaster Girl’s 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 2nd August 2 1975 at her home at 4 York Road.
Professor Tim Boatswain, the Chairman of Blue Plaques St Albans, said: “Betty Entwistle was a wonderful role model of female empowerment at a time when there few women in senior positions in local government. She had a deep commitment to the community of St Albans and is fondly remembered. We are delighted that another female role model, Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans, and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, has agreed to officially install the plaque. Blue Plaques St Albans is also very grateful to McMullen’s & Sons, who not only given permission for the installation but have also sponsored the blue plaque itself. I hope this blue plaque will inform more people about the important contribution Betty Entwistle made to the city.”
Daisy Cooper added: “Betty Entwistle was a trailblazer here in St Albans and it is an honour to join in the unveiling of her blue plaque. Betty’s life is an inspiration for the next generation of women here in St Albans to get involved in the civic and political life of our area. I would also like to thank McMullen’s & Sons and Tim Boatswain, the Chairman of Blue Plaques, who have made this possible.”
The ceremony will be taking place at 1.30pm on February 23.
