Magdalena Chavez, York’s first vegan restaurant
Magdalena (1953 – ) ran El Piano, a vegan and gluten free restaurant in Grape Lane, York. As a coeliac, I knew that it was safe for me to eat everything on the menu and I ate there many times. In addition, she organised several events for the local Coeliac UK group including cookery demonstrations […]
Lynn Moffat, Breast Nurse Practitioner
Lynn was born and bred in York and on leaving school in 1977 worked as a cadet nurse at the old private hospital, The Purey Cust Nursing Home. Cadet nurses worked alongside trained nurses, making beds, giving out meals and drinks, and assisting with care. Working with nurses, she fell in love with nursing. On qualifying in 1981, at The York […]
Sally Hutchinson, Chief Officer, Age UK, York
Sally grew up in London and describes herself as the daughter of a strong woman. She started work at the GLC – in sewers (actually an administrative role in the Public Health Department) and she subsequently moved into a post training people to work in the sewers. And it was a training post with Lambeth Council that was her route into Social Care, where she found her niche. […]
Ivy Wightman, Lord Mayor and Viking Congress Host
Ivy Wightman (1910 – 1982) was Lord Mayor of York from May 1961 – May 1962 and the second woman to be Lord Mayor after Edna Annie Crichton. Her appointments diary for May – December 1961 is in the archives of York Explore and reveals her packed itinerary of engagements. Included among these are sittings for the […]
Delma Tomlin, Musician and Merchant Adventurer
Delma Tomlin is the Director of the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) on Walmgate, York. A musician (singer), she came to York in 1982 to be the Administrator of York Festival & Mystery Plays, and then became the secretary of the Festival Trust which ran the Early Music Festival. She has made a significant difference to the musical education […]
Sheila Dronfield, Doctor and Magistrate
Sheila Dronfield (1912 – 1996) made a big contribution to public life in York as a doctor, and as a magistrate – she chaired the bench until she retired at the age of seventy. She was also active in her local church serving as a church warden and as a member of New Ainsty rural deanery. An […]
Mary York, Chemistry Teacher and Guide Leader
Mary York (1931 – 2010) was born in Maltby, South Yorkshire where she began her guiding life by joining the Brownies. She studied at Leeds University and while there was an active participant in the university Scout and Guide unit. She became a Sea Ranger, before becoming a Guide leader in 1954 while she was […]
Marion Paton, Code Breaker
Marion Paton (nee Hendry) (1923 – 2016) was born in Aldborough, near Boroughbridge and came to York when she was thirteen. She attended Mill Mount Grammar School. Marion was eighteen when she was called up as a Foreign Office Civilian drafted in to decipher coded messages from U-Boats and Warships. At the time she was […]
Carol Miller, York Cancer Support
Carol Miller (1949-) formed the York Haematology Support Group (YHSG) in 2012 for people with blood cancer. In 2004, Carol was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia at the age of 55. After she relapsed in 2006, she was referred to St James Hospital, Leeds for a mini bone marrow transplant. Before agreeing to this, she wanted […]
Dolly Cooper, Trade Unionist and Politician
Dorothy (Dolly) Cooper (nee McGrath), was born on 21 May 1921. She had 6 siblings. Her parents both died of tuberculosis by the time she was 17 years old. Dolly went to Mill Mount Grammar school. Had the family been able to afford the £2.00 entry fee, Dolly would have sat for the Civil Service exams, […]