Ethel Haythornthwaite Explained

Ethel Haythornthwaite
Honorific-Suffix:MBE
Birth Name:Ethel Mary Bassett Ward
Birth Date:18 January 1894
Birth Place:Sheffield, England
Death Place:Sheffield, England
Burial Place:Crookes Cemetery, Sheffield, England
Spouse:
    Children:1
    Father:Thomas Ward
    Mother:Mary Sophia Ward
    Relatives:
    • Thomas Leonard Ward (brother)
    • Gertrude Miller Ward (sister)
    • Alan Bassett Ward (brother)
    • Frank Joseph Ward (brother)
    • George Bassett (great-uncle)
    Education:
    Known For:
    • Countryside protection
    • Town and country planning
    Notable Works:

    Ethel Mary Bassett Haythornthwaite (Ward) (18 January 1894 – 11 April 1986) was an English environmental campaigner, activist and poet.[1] [2] She was a pioneer of countryside protection as well as town and country planning both locally and nationally.[3] She founded the Sheffield Association for the Protection of Rural Scenery, also known as the Sheffield Association for the Protection of Local Countryside in 1924, which became the local branch of CPRE in 1927, and worked to protect the countryside of the Peak District from development. She forefronted the appeal to save the 747-acre Longshaw Estate from development, and helped acquire land around Sheffield that became its green belt. She was appointed to the UK government’s National Parks Committee, and helped to make the successful case for the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, which led to the founding of the Peak District National Park in 1951. She also helped make green belts part of government policy in 1955.

    She was awarded an MBE in the 1947 New Years Honours List for her services to the countryside.

    In 1963, she was awarded an honorary master's degree by Sheffield University.[4]

    Early life and education

    Ethel Mary Bassett Ward was born on 18 January 1894 at the family house on Millhouses Lane, Sheffield. She was the daughter of Mary Sophia Ward (née Bassett) and Thomas William Ward. Her parents were both Methodists and of notable Sheffield families.

    Her mother was part of the Bassett's sweets dynasty. Haythornthwaite was the great-niece of George Bassett (1818-1886), a noted politician and founder of the confectionary firm.[5]

    Her father was a wealthy industrialist who built his family a large mansion on Endcliffe Vale Road which he called Endcliffe Vale House.

    She had three brothers and one sister; Thomas Leonard Ward, Alan Bassett Ward, Frank Joseph Ward and Gertrude Miller Ward.

    She grew up in a life of privilege[6] [7] surrounded by horses and carriages.

    Education

    Haythornthwaite, and her sister, went to an elite private school, West Heath in London, running in circles with privileged young girls and foreign princesses with exotic accents and baroque names. She excelled at English and Literature.

    She later went on to read English at London University.

    Poetry

    Haythornthwaite's love of literature led her to also study the romantic poets such as Wordsworth, Coleridge and Blake.

    Personal life and marriage

    Haythornthwaite kept many diaries from an early age and was a frequent letter writer.

    She has been married twice.

    On 26 February 1916, during World War I, she married Henry Gallimore, a captain in the Royal Field Artillery. On 26 May 1917, Gallimore was killed whilst in combat over in France. She was widowed at the age of 23.

    In 1937, she married Gerald Haythornthwaite, a lieutenant colonel in the army who served overseas in Norway during World War II.

    Countryside protection

    Devastated following the death of her first husband, Haythornthwaite became ill and her family encouraged her to take restorative walks in the countryside.[6] [7]

    She soon became enamoured of the rural beauty surrounding the city of Sheffield, and decided to apply herself to protecting the countryside from development and urban sprawl.

    Campaign to Protect Rural England Peak District and South Yorkshire

    In 1924, she founded the Sheffield Association for the Protection of Rural Scenery, also known as the Sheffield Association for the Protection of Local Countryside, which in 1927 became the Peak District and South Yorkshire branch of the CPRE (Council for the Preservation of Rural England, later renamed Campaign to Protect Rural England).[6] [8] [7] She was to be secretary of the branch for 56 years from its inception.[9]

    Longshaw Estate

    In 1927, the Duke of Rutland sold the Longshaw Estate to the Sheffield Corporation. Prior to this sale the Corporation had purchased over 3,000 acres of moorland.

    In 1928, Haythornthwaite spearheaded an urgent appeal to the Yorkshire public, which helped Peak District and South Yorkshire CPRE to raise the funds to buy the 747-acre Estate, which was threatened with development.[10]

    The Estate was gifted to the National Trust in 1931.[11]

    Sheffield's Green Belt

    In 1932, she helped acquire a further 448 acres of threatened land at Blacka Moor. In 1938, this became part of Sheffield's Green Belt (the first to be created in England).[10] She also was instrumental in the purchase and protection of other rural areas including Whirlow Moor, Dore Moor, Dovedale, and many other surrounding rural areas.[10]

    Haythornthwaite wrote, at the start of World War II when many of her fellow CPRE administrators were away on active service:

    "Unquestionably, CPRE and all its branches should strive their best to hold on. If not, much more of England’s beauty will be lost for those who return after the war. I believe our aims are too profoundly important to let go. Those who see what rural England means to the English should work to save it."[10]

    Haythornthwaite spent most of 1942 in London, "leading the national organisation in the crucial early debates on how the post-war reconstruction of the country should be achieved by democratic planning".[10]

    National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949

    In 1945, Haythornthwaite was appointed to the UK government’s National Parks Committee, and her hard work there helped to deliver the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.

    First UK National Park

    Much to her delight, and in no small part due to her endeavours, in 1951 the Peak District became the UK's first national park.[10]

    National Green Belt Policy

    In 1955, Haythornthwaite helped form national government policy on green belts. She stressed their importance to city dwellers:

    "My childhood impressions of the city were a gloomy, noisy, shapeless phenomenon. But outside the city – there one began to live. The escape into clean air, the gradual return to nature – with this came satisfaction, peace, freedom, solitude, excitement. One grew to become conscious of its profounder value, something beyond health and high spirits – something to worship."[10]

    Death

    Haythornthwaite died after a long period of illness in 1986.[7] She is buried in Crookes Cemetery, Sheffield alongside her husband, her father, mother and sister.

    Legacy

    Haythornthwaite Wood

    In 1994, eight years after Haythornthwaite died, a woodland was planted near Dore in honour of the charity founders. It is located on the edge of Sheffield, approximately 1 km from the boundary of the Peak District National Park.[12] [13] [14] [15]

    The woodland itself was saved from housing development as part of the 1936 Whirlow Bridge to Dore Moore campaign.

    Peak District Boundary Walk

    On 17 June 2017, in celebration of Britain's first National Park, the Friends of the Peak District launched the Peak District Boundary Walk.

    It was officially opened by Emma Bridgewater, President of the CPRE,[16] at 12 noon outside Buxton Town Hall.[17]

    The route consists of twenty stages that broadly follows the park's boundary, as envisaged by Haythornthwaite and her husband,[18] covering a total distance of 190 miles.

    Heritage Open Days

    In September 2018, during Heritage Open Days in Sheffield, two illustrated talks were given about Haythornthwaite's life and work.[19]

    DateTalkSpeakerOccupationVenue
    9 September, 2018Ethel Haythornthwaite (1894–1986): Her Legacy for Sheffield and the Peak DistrictJean SmartHaythornthwaite's secretary (from 1963 to 1995)[20] Sheffield Botanical Gardens
    6 September, 2018Ethel Haythornthwaite: A Sheffield Woman of Considerable ConsequencesClyde BinfieldProfessor Emeritus in History, University of SheffieldRegather Co-operative, Sharrow, Sheffield

    Restoration of graves

    In February 2016, a local resident reported that he found the graves of two of Sheffield's most generous philanthropists were neglected.[21]

    Councillor Sioned-Mair Richards, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at Sheffield Council said:

    “The maintenance of privately bought memorials is always the responsibility of the family or purchaser. The graves of Sir Stuart Goodwin and Lt Col Gerald Haythornthwaite are private memorials and therefore their families are responsible for maintaining them.

    “We acknowledge the significant contributions they made to the city and those of the many others buried in our cemeteries who gave generously, fought bravely and were champions for Sheffield.

    “And whilst we would like to be able to maintain all neglected memorials, we have never funded private graves because budget pressures make it impossible for us.

    “We have no objections to repairs being carried out and should the family or purchaser wish to instruct a stone mason we can provide information to help them do this.”

    Following a public appeal in 2018, the graves of Haythornthwaite and her husband as well as her father and mother were restored.

    A new plaque and monument at the site marks this event and explicitly acknowledges some of the achievements of Haythornthwaite.

    Countryfile

    On 7 April 2019, Haythornthwaite's work was featured in the BBC1 television programme Countryfile. The episode marked the 70th anniversary of the national parks of the United Kingdom and covered the impact of her legacy in Sheffield and the Peak District.[22]

    Campaign for National Parks tribute video

    In October 2019, the Campaign for National Parks released a 6-minute video to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the National Parks. The video featured actress Caroline Quentin, who was President of the CNP at the time, as well as numerous voiceovers of key individuals.[23] [24]

    One of which was Jean Smart, who served as secretary to the Haythornthwaites and also a countryside campaigner herself. Smart talks about the importance of their work in the Peak District. Quentin highlights it was the first of 13 national parks in the UK.[25] Smart also talks how it was Haythornthwaite's vision for the soldiers post-war to come home to their Jerusalem, a reference to the poem by one of her favourite poets, William Blake.

    Trespass debate

    On 19 April 2021, during a trespass debate, Olivia Blake for Sheffield Hallam referenced Haythornthwaite as she opposed the Government's proposal to impose harsher measures.[26] [27] [28]

    The Ethels

    In May 2021, the summit of 95 hills in the Peak District of England were named The Ethels in her honour.[29]

    Similar to the Munros in Scotland or Wainwrights in the Lake District.

    Blue plaque

    On 2 August 2021, a campaign to honour Haythornthwaite was started by The Star newspaper, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England Peak District and South Yorkshire (CPRE PDSY), Blake,[30] [31] University of Sheffield and former Lord Mayor Councillor Anne Murphy.[32] [33] CPRE had previously created a crowdfunding appeal campaign on GoFundMe on 20 July 2021. It successfully achieved its target amount, with a total amount of £591.

    On 25 May 2022, a blue plaque to commemorate the life of one of Sheffield and the Peak District’s leading environmentalists and most influential women was put in place.[34] [35] [36] The plaque is located at the old site where she lived, Endcliffe Vale House, which is now a student village. Plaque, which rests on stone from the Peak District, was officially unveiled by Dame Fiona Reynolds, the CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire branch president and an honorary graduate of the University of Sheffield.

    Other plaques

    In August 2021, Tomo Thompson, CEO of CPRE PDSY, stated that there was a plaque in honour of Haythornthwaite at Longshaw and a small tribute located at Dore.

    Street named after Haythornthwaite

    On 23 August 2021, Murphy stated more, than the blue plaque, should be done to recognise the impact of what Haythornthwaite had achieved and who she was including "something within the city centre and a road named after her".[37]

    Murphy died on 23 December 2022 after a short illness.[38]

    Haythornthwaite Biography

    On 11 October 2022, it was announced by Thompson that a biography of Haythornthwaite had been commissioned.

    Poet and author Helen Mort will be involved with a released date planned for May 2024.[39]

    The title of the book is officially called Ethel: The biography of countryside pioneer Ethel Haythornthwaite.

    100 years of CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire

    On 8 March 2024, to celebrate International Women's Day and 100 years of CPRE PDSY, the National Trust are hosting a talk on the life and work of Haythornthwaite followed by a guided walk up Higger Tor, the closest Ethel to Longshaw Estate.[40] [41]

    See also

    Further reading

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Ethel by Helen Mort – the biography of Ethel Haythornthwaite - Adventure Books by Vertebrate Publishing. Vertebrate Publishing. 26 February 2024.
    2. Web site: Ethel: The biography of countryside pioneer Ethel Haythornthwaite. AMAZON UK. 26 February 2024.
    3. Web site: Stories from the Archive: Ethel Haythornthwaite her legacy. 16 September 2020. Smart. Jean. CPRE PDSY. 17 February 2024.
    4. Web site: HONORARY GRADUATES. Sheffield University. Sheffield University. 12 February 2024.
    5. Web site: The quiet subversive of Sheffield. 26 June 2021. Simpson. Mollie. Sheffield Tribute. 12 February 2024.
    6. Web site: Preview: Ethel Haythornthwaite. Big Issue. 8 April 2019.
    7. Web site: Sheffield's Heritage Open Days 2018: Why city's 'force of nature' Ethel Haythornthwaite is responsible for country's Green Belt. Richard . Blackledge. The Star. 8 April 2019.
    8. Web site: Friends of the Peak District: About. Friends of the Peak District. 8 April 2019.
    9. Book: Jones, Melvyn . The Making of Sheffield . Wharncliffe . 2004 . 1903425425 . 8 April 2019.
    10. Web site: Women countryside campaigners: the '30s and beyond. CPRE. 8 April 2019.
    11. Web site: Longshaw. Peak District National Park. 8 April 2019.
    12. Web site: Haythornthwaite Wood. CPRE PDSY. 26 February 2024.
    13. Web site: Stories from the Archive 1: The Fight for Sheffield's Green Belt. CPRE PDSY. 26 February 2024.
    14. Web site: CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire Woodland Conservation Task Day. Townsend. Cassa. Welcome to Sheffield. 26 February 2024.
    15. Web site: Have a go at dry stone walling with CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire. Townsend. Cassa. Welcome to Sheffield. 26 February 2024.
    16. Web site: Emma Bridgewater announced as new CPRE President. 24 May 2016. CPRE. 17 February 2024.
    17. Web site: Peak District Boundary Walk, a fabulous 90 mile trail. 7 June 2017. Explore Buxton. 17 February 2024.
    18. Web site: 12 October 2017. Boundary Walk. 9 March 2020. Friends of the Peak District. en-GB. 11 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200811003634/https://www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk/boundary-walk/. dead.
    19. Web site: OUR EXTRAORDINARY ETHEL. Friends of the Peak District. 8 April 2019.
    20. Web site: "I'm backing Star campaign to honour green space pioneer Ethel Haythornthwaite" says Ethel's ex secretary, praising her for saving Longshaw estate. 24 August 2021. Kessen. David. The Star. 17 February 2024.
    21. Web site: Has Sheffield forgotten its past heroes?. The Newsroom. The Star. 23 February 2016. 6 February 2024.
    22. National Parks. Countryfile . BBC One. 7 April 2019 . 8 April 2019.
    23. Web site: Call to pick up the mantel of pioneers who won right to roam the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. 9 October 2019. Blow. John. The Yorkshire Post. 18 February 2024.
    24. Web site: New film with Caroline Quentin uncovers the moving history of one of the UK’s greatest environment achievements – National Parks. 11 October 2019. Hall. Andrew. Campaign for National Parks. 18 February 2024.
    25. Web site: 70 years of National Parks with Caroline Quentin. 8 October 2019. Campaign for National Parks YouTube Channel. 18 February 2024.
    26. Web site: Sheffield MP Olivia Blake uses words of Peak District campaigner Ethel Haythornthwaite to oppose plans to make trespass a criminal offence. 20 April 2021. Parsons. Rob. Yorkshire Post. 16 February 2024.
    27. Web site: Olivia's speech during the Trespass debate. 20 April 2021. Blake. Olivia. Olivia Blake MP YouTube Channel. 16 February 2024.
    28. Web site: Trespass - Volume 692: debated on Monday 19 April 2021. 19 April 2021. Hansard Parliament Debate. 16 February 2024.
    29. News: 2021-05-11. Peak District hilltops named after Sheffield woman. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-05-13.
    30. Web site: September Newsletter. 7 October 2021. Blake. Olivia. Olivia Blake MP for Sheffield Hallam. 16 February 2024.
    31. Web site: MP 'surprised' that Sheffield national parks pioneer Ethel Haythornthwaite is not famous in her own city. 4 September 2021. Kessen. David. The Star. 16 February 2024.
    32. Web site: Ethel the trailblazing environmentalist. 25 August 2021. Edwards. Paulette. BBC Sounds. 19 February 2024.
    33. Web site: Campaign to honour Ethel Haythornthwaite - the woman who fought to make Sheffield the green city we love. 2 August 2021. Kessen. David. The Star. 6 February 2024.
    34. Web site: CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire have unveiled a blue heritage plaque to commemorate the life of our charity’s founder, Ethel Haythornthwaite MBE.. 25 May 2022. . CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire. 6 February 2024.
    35. Web site: Blue plaque unveiled for Sheffield countryside pioneer Ethel Haythornthwaite as Star campaign a success. 25 May 2022. Kessen. David. The Star. 6 February 2024.
    36. Web site: University of Sheffield hosts blue plaque for Peak District campaigner Ethel Haythornthwaite. 26 May 2022. Fletcher. Alice. University of Sheffield. 6 February 2024.
    37. Web site: This is why a former Sheffield mayor wants to name a street after Ethel Haythornthwaite. 23 August 2021. Kessen. David. The Star. 18 February 2024.
    38. Web site: Tributes pour in for former Sheffield Lord Mayor Anne Murphy following death. 26 December 2022. Marshall. Sarah. The Star. 18 February 2024.
    39. Web site: Ethel Haythornthwaite Biography. 11 October 2022. Thompson. Tomo. CPRE PDSY. 19 February 2024.
    40. Web site: International Women’s Day: Talk on Ethel Haythornthwaite and Higger Tor Walk. Welcome to Sheffield. 16 February 2024.
    41. Web site: National Trust celebrate Ethel Haythornthwaite for International Women’s Day, a conservation activis. 21 February 2024. Jennings. Tim. Yorkshire Post. 26 February 2024.