A retired Penrith Queen Elizabeth Grammar School teacher and stalwart of Penrith Players has died aged 86.
Jenny Wilson (formerly Cross), who also taught briefly at Ullswater School, Penrith, set up the drama department at QEGS and also went on to run the library, teaching there for more than 20 years before retiring in the mid-1990s.
Born in Flixton, Manchester on 6th August 1938, Jenny was the younger daughter of Thomas and Fanny Walker.
She had a sister, June, who was seven years older than her and when their father, Thomas, died when Jenny was just 17, both June and Fanny rallied to support and encourage Jenny to achieve her academic potential.
Her earliest memories were shaped by World War Two, when Manchester was a target for regular bombing. She often spoke of her experiences, and stories she shared included the time — as a very small child — air raid sirens sounded long after she had gone to bed and, in a sleepy daze, she reached under the bed for her slippers. Not able to find them she switched on the bedside light. Shouts came from all directions and the light was swiftly turned off!
She attended primary school in Flixton and her secondary education was at Stretford High School before going to teacher training college in Dudley, West Midlands.
Jenny specialised in teaching secondary English and geography. She had a love of travel and went abroad when she could afford to. Italy — and Venice in particular — was a favourite destination in her youth.
She met her first husband Michael through a mutual friend. Michael was originally from Yanwath, so after their wedding at Flixton’s St Michael’s Church on 23rd December, 1961, they settled in this area. They lived next door to Michael’s parents at The Grotto in Yanwath. His family ran a successful laundry business, Eamont Vale Laundry, in Princes Street, Penrith.
Her teaching career began at Ullswater School, before taking a break to have her two eldest daughters, Helen in 1962 and Catherine in 1965. When the girls were old enough, Jenny returned to teaching in Penrith, but at the town’s Queen Elizabeth Grammar School. English and geography were her subjects, but she took a keen interest in introducing drama to the curriculum.
She loved all things theatrical and wanted to encourage and inspire young thespians. She was responsible for the introduction of both O and A-level drama at the school and founded a standalone drama department, which was one of her proudest achievements.
In 1970, her third daughter, Barbara, arrived and Jenny continued teaching part-time while her girls were young. All the girls loved horses and Jenny fully supported them, giving them the experiences she, as a city-dweller, had been unable to have as a child.
She helped out at Pony Club events, driving the family laundry van, with horse box attached, all over northern England and southern Scotland. Like her own mother and sister, Jenny put the needs of her children first and was always kind, generous and encouraging.
She always remained close to Fanny and June and would often drive down to Manchester at weekends with Helen, Catherine and Barbara. She was also seen as something of a “cool” mum by her children’s friends, as she occasionally got tickets to be in the audience at the recording of TV programmes.
One particular highlight was when she took a group to see a pop programme called “Lift off With Ayshea”, three of the children having to travel in the boot of her Mini Traveller!
Jenny wanted her daughters to achieve their potential and encouraged their independence, supporting them to go to university, Helen to Edinburgh and Catherine and Barbara to the University of East Anglia.
With any time she had for herself, she pursued her interest in all things dramatic. Penrith Players welcomed her with open arms and fellow Players member (and QEGS teaching colleague) Mike Head recalled: “She was not only a talented actress but also a director with real insight into the pieces she directed. I believe she also served on committees. The list of plays she was involved with is long — but what I remember is a self-effacing woman, considerate to fellow actors and those she was directing. I don’t think I ever saw her angry, and there must have been times when she had cause.”
Through the group, Jenny, her girls and other members, plus sixth-formers from QEGS, had some exciting experiences, appearing as extras in film and television productions being filmed locally. These included The Rime of the Ancient Mariner about the poet, Coleridge, plus an advert for Hovis bread, being directed by an up-and-coming young director, Ridley Scott.
During her time at Penrith Players, Jenny inadvertently played Cupid for at least two couples, introducing Helen Woods to the group, where she met Dick Walker in the 1980s, and also directed both Phil Caton and his wife Sarah.
Penrith Players also brought Angus Wilson into Jenny’s life. Her first marriage had ended in the mid 1980s and at the beginning of the 1990s she and Angus married.
Jenny’s teaching career at QEGS went from strength to strength under the headship of Colin Birnie. Drama is often a popular subject and the stylish, kind, patient Mrs Wilson was a favourite teacher.
The admiration and respect that the QEGS drama department still commands today, is due, in no small part, to the strong foundations for creativity and excellence she instilled.
A constant throughout Jenny’s life was her love of travel. She was an informed geography teacher because she visited so many places. When her family were young, they skied and visited sunnier climes in Spain and Menorca.
When her girls were older and had made lives of their own Jenny went to visit them wherever they were in the world. There were trips to see Helen in Holland, Catherine in Colorado and, in 2017, Barbara in Australia, visiting Adelaide, Sydney and the Blue Mountains. There were also visits to France, where Barbara settled.
For 10 years Jenny returned to her special place, staying in the same property each time in San Stefano on Corfu in the Greek Islands. She was captivated by the island’s unique blend of natural beauty, rich history and vibrant culture.
Jenny and Angus moved from Penrith to Culgaith in 2004 and she fully integrated into the community, joining a yoga class, the book club and helping with teas in the Victoria Hall.
Angus died in 2021 and Jenny drew on all her strength to keep active and involved. She moved to Woodlands, in Bridge Lane, Penrith, where she continued to be physically and mentally vibrant. Her daughters were told that everyone liked mum and she was much loved by the staff and other residents.
