Marie Singleton
Marie Singleton
Mexborough
First female councillor on Mexborough Urban District Council
Article researched and written by Rita Hindley
Image of Marie Singleton, City of Doncaster Archives
The Early Years
Marie Singleton was born 28 February 1884 in Sheffield as Marie Hides. Her mother died when Marie was 5 years old. By 1891, the family were living at 36 Barker Road, Sheffield. Her father Charles was working as an accountant. Shortly after Marie’s father remarried, and Marie’s 5 half-siblings arrived between 1894 and 1902.
In 1907 Marie married Ernest Alfred Singleton, who was a native of New Zealand. Ernest worked in insurance, and the couple had three children; Charles William, Georgina Mary and Eulalie Wynette.
Council Life
In March 1927, Marie Singleton became the first female councillor on Mexborough Urban District Council.
Sadly, two years later her son, Charles, died aged 17.
The 1927 annual meeting of the council was reported on in the local press, capturing the attitude towards Marie at this time.
“The old members of the council seemed to regard the advent of the first woman councillor Mrs Marie Singleton as something of a novelty..“
Mexborough and Swinton Times, 22 April 1927
In this year, the Mexborough and Swinton Times described Marie as a ‘pioneer for the cause of women’s rights in the district.’
Marie fought tirelessly for the rights of women and babies in Mexborough, leading on local schemes to improve their quality of life. In June 1930, Marie spoke at the National Association For The Prevention of Infant Mortality on behalf of the National Council for Maternity and Child Welfare.
Marie was also a supporter of public services and a campaigner for disabled children and adults and day nurseries.
In 1930 Marie’s husband died. That same year she led a meeting discussing the Psychology of Adolescence, emphasising that training adolescents meant shaping the next generation, and ‘building up character in the adult.’
Marie was also active in other campaigns including tea canteens for soldiers and a swimming baths for Mexborough.
In 1933, Marie was elected chair of the council, the first woman to hold this role. In her response Marie stated that women had a part to play in public life and in the development of social services.
At the end of Marie’s chairmanship, she was recognised by her fellow committee members. Mr Winstanley stated
“[Marie’s] chairmanship stood out like a beacon, lighting the way for all of them.. She was well schooled in public administration, and they could offer her their hearty congratulations on the way she had done her work as councillor and as chairman.”
Mexborough and Swinton Times, 20 April 1934
City of Doncaster Archives
Sadly, in 1939 Marie’s daughter Georgina died leaving a young son, and Marie moved in with her son-in-law in Balby to help her family.
Marie was keen to support the people of her local area. In 1933 she presented £1 and a lifesaving certificate from the Royal Humane Society to Harry Skirrow of 8 Dryden Road, who had jumped fully clothed into the River Dearne to save a little boy from drowning, and supported patients at Fullerton Hospital with sweets and smokes.
Marie devoted her life to improving Mexborough for its residents until her death in 1942.