Jenny Walker
Jenny (nee Iseton) Walker
Jenny’s mother had come to West Cornforth from Sedgefield to be a maid for Mr Roberts the vicar. Her husband to be lived with his parents at Church View Cornforth. Jenny’s mother and father lived in a cottage below the lazy line in West Cornforth. Jenny was born in 1930.
Jenny was delivered by Nurse Nash. When Nurse Nash told Mr Iseton that he had another healthy daughter to add to his family of two girls and a boy he said that she would be his last child. Nurse Nash said that decisions like that would make her services unnecessary but Jenny’s dad made it clear that his family of Margaret, Lily, Jim and now Jenny was complete. There would be no more children.
Most babies were born at home with the assistance of a midwife. When Nurse Nash had a day off her work was covered by Nurse Hughes or Nurse Ross who lived at Park Hill.
The family moved from the cottage to Frosterley where they lived for three years. When they returned to West Cornforth they moved into New Road Terrace. Life in New Road Terrace was one of routine. Each Saturday Cis Egglestone came to collect the doctor’s money (in the days before the national health service people had to make private insurance arrangements for the cost of medical care). Cis always came at dinner time and usually accepted the invitation to share the family’s meal of onion pudding, minced meat, tatties and turnips.
Jenny went to the new school in West Cornforth and to the chapel and the youth club. Her close friends were Edna Lynch, Lily Stokoe and Alma Close.
Jenny’s mother took ill when Jenny was twelve years old. Doctor Moffat diagnosed and treated her for congestion of the lungs. Unfortunately the diagnosis was incorrect; her mother had a kidney complaint that had not been identified and was therefore not treated. Sadly Jenny’s mum died aged fifty five in 1942.
Jenny’s grandparents had moved to Guiseley but came to visit every Sunday afternoon. Lily made the dinner and Jenny baked for tea. At this time the family was living in New Road Terrace.
Jenny’s two sisters Margaret and Lily had moved to Yorkshire and went into service. They were called up to work in the Avro munitions factory during the war. Jenny’s job was to look after her father and brother. Jenny was paid three pounds a week.
Jenny got on the train in Harrogate after visiting her aunt. Joe Walker was on the train coming home from a cricket match at Headingley. Jenny and Joe got off the train and took the bus from Ferryhill Station home to West Cornforth together. A chance meeting in the street a few days later and Jenny and Joe started going out. They had been going out together for two and a half years in 1950 when Jenny’s father died. As Jenny could have been left without a home or income Joe decided it would be a good idea if he and Jenny married and he proposed to her. Jenny was twenty years old. It was a big decision and she discussed what she ought to do with her sister Lily. Lily said that it seemed a good idea, the best idea for Jenny to accept and marry Joe.
Jenny and Joe were married in 1950 at Holy Trinity Church, where Jenny’s parents and Joe’s parents had been married. Lilly, and Hannah Willoughby rallied round and people donated ingredients for the wedding cake which was made by Mrs Hall. Five cakes were made from all the ingredients that had been donated.
Jenny wore a blue wool dress with a decorated bodice and a hat that was a perfect match. Jenny’s mother in law ‘went her ends’ to find out where the beautiful hat had been purchased but that was Jenny’s secret. Well, Jenny and Miss Egglestone’s secret.
Jenny and Joe were married and Jenny continued to live in New Road Terrace with her husband. Jenny’s sister Lily lived first in Simpson’s Buildings and then next door with her husband Basil and their two children Margaret and David.
Jenny and Joe had been on the waiting list for a council house for a long time. They were finally offered a house in the street of their choice; Beech Parade. Housing decisions were made by a committee that included Harry Hodgson and Jack Gargett.
While Jenny and Joe were looking round the house that they had been offered; 13 Beech Parade they were approached by Jim Walton whose father lived in number 12. Mr Walton asked Jenny and Joe if they would swop houses as number 13 had steps which were be difficult for his father to manage. Jenny and Joe talked about it and Joe said that as their legs were alright they would take number twelve and Mr Walton senior could have number thirteen.
Jenny has been living at 12 Beech Parade for almost fifty six years.