A true trailblazer of her time, Mrs Gilbey (originally Anne Barker), is famous as one of the first female magistrates in the whole country. While born in London, she moved to Bishop’s Stortford and spent much of her life here, contributing significantly to life locally.
Appointed in 1920, previously women had been barred from such positions, and more generally from being part of professions, from having degrees and from being on juries.
She was the only woman appointed as a magistrate in Bishop’s Stortford until 1937, making her accomplishment here even more significant.
Along with such a historic attainment, she was active in many local organisations as President of the Women’s Liberal Association; as Chair of the Local Nursing Association; as President of the Women’s Hockey Club, as well as Secretary for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
Her deep links to local society extended to St Michael’s School and St Michael’s Church, giving significant donations for various activities and renovations, while also providing money for the poor. Her financial contributions also reached to hosting fundraising events for critical local institutions, including the local hospital.
Her efforts, alongside those of her husband, helped sustain and advance the flourishing of life in Bishop’s Stortford. She died on the 20th of September 1941, with her funeral having many attendees from the various groups she supported throughout her life. This included those from Bishop’s Stortford and Thorley District Nursing Association, staff and pupils from Michael’s boys’, girls and infants’ school and Bishop’s Stortford Hospital.
Further highlighting the deep love from the community for her work were the guards of honours from the Police and then by the Women’s section of the British Legion.
While her obituary did not do justice to her achievements, today offers an opportune moment to help promote her incredible life and work. You can now visit her recently unveiled Blue Plaque in Windhill. For more information, please visit the Bishop’s Stortford Local History Society website: Blue Plaques Project – Bishop’s Stortford History Society
Article researched by Volunteer – Young Curator Project – Thomas.
Photographs of Mr and Mrs Tresham Gilbey from the Bishop’s Stortford Museum Collection.
