Local historian, Anne Wares, has been awarded the Mayor’s Prize for Local History for her biography of philanthropist Isabella Worley.
The Mayor of St Albans City and District, Councillor Eileen Harris, presented a certificate to local history librarian, Anne Wares, at Council on 12 September. She also awarded a cheque to Mrs Wares for £100.
Cllr Eileen Harris, Mayor of St Albans City and District, said: “Anne Wares is a worthy winner of this award with her fascinating research into Isabella Worley’s many contributions to St Albans life in the nineteenth century. I was particularly interested to learn more about Mrs Worley because she was born and brought up at what is now Sopwell House Hotel. I regularly conduct historic walks in the Sopwell ward which I represent on the Council.”
Anne Wares, winner of the Mayor’s Prize, said: “I am honoured to be awarded this year’s Mayor’s Prize, which recognises Isabella Worley’s great significance to St Albans. Although she is largely forgotten now, except for the name of Worley Rd, Isabella Worley was one of the richest and most generous residents of nineteenth century St Albans. She bought Christ Church for the city, and provided the fountain that was originally in front of the Clock tower and is now in Victoria Square. However, her main benefactions were directed to helping the poor and the working classes, for which she was much beloved in the city".
The Mayor’s Prize is awarded for an outstanding contribution to the history of St Albans and Hertfordshire. It was established in September 2008 by former Mayor and councillor Kate Morris, who is also a local historian. As Mayor, Kate Morris encouraged interest in local heritage with a series of charitable events under the banner “Presenting the Past, for the Future’. Establishing the prize fund was her farewell gift to the St Albans City and District.
Former councillor Kate Morris said: “The purpose of the prize is to stimulate our interest in local history. We aim to achieve this by encouraging people to do original work that increases the local knowledge of our heritage.”
Enquiries and entry proposals for the 2013 prize are currently being welcomed by the Hon Secretary to SAHAAS via e-mail at
admin@stalbanshistory.org.
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Eileen Harris
Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544
Email: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the press:
Ruth Boyer,
Communications Officer
St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819316
E-mail: ruth.boyer@stalbans.gov.uk
www.stalbans.gov.uk
Notes:
The Fund for the Mayor’s Prize was established by former Mayor and historian Kate Morris as a legacy from her term of office in 2007/8. The competition for the Prize is administered by the St Albans and Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society, who also hold the Fund, on behalf of the Mayoralty. It is held annually and this is the third time that an award has been made. The Fund is still open and contributions are welcome, as are submissions of research for consideration. Assistance and advice on publication of award winning research is given by the Society. Further information about the prize and the Fund is available on the
Society’s website.
Pictures:
Main picture: The Mayor, Cllr Eileen Harris, with Anne Wares
Bryan Hanlon, (Honorary Secretary of SAHAAS), Cllr Eileen Harris, Anne Wares and Kate Morris