Family Card - Person Sheet
Family Card - Person Sheet
NameKatherine Annie BEDFORD Kath 
, 716
, 716Birth10 October 1897, Sutton-in-Craven, Near Skipton, Yorkshire, England64
Census31 March 1901, 25 Lothersdale Road, Glusburn, Skipton, Yorkshire, England Age: 3
Census2 April 1911, 9 Ashgrove, Sutton, Keighley, Yorkshire, England Age: 13
Death1968717 Age: 70
EducationSchool 1911
FatherJohn Smith BEDFORD , 710 (1868-1933)
MotherFrances Jane SMITH Fanny , 711 (~1866-1912)
Spouses
Family ID1634
Marriage30 January 1924, Sutton-in-Craven, Near Skipton, Yorkshire, England718
Marr MemoLocation is assumption
Notes for Katherine Annie BEDFORD Kath
1897. Katharine Annie Bedford was born in Sutton Mill, near Sutton-in-Craven on the 10th October 1897, the third child of John Smith Bedford and Frances Jane Smith.
Known as Kath she grew up knowing both her grandfathers, Benjamin Bedford and James Smith, but neither of her grandmothers as both died aged 39/40 years old. Kath’s grandfathers both remarried. Benjamin to Peggy Tempest, and James Smith to Jane Bottomley, who died the year after Kath was born. At the time of Kath’s marriage to Arthur Driver, her only living grandparent was Peggy, her paternal step grandmother.
Kath was born into a large extended family. She would have been known to 10 aunts, 7 uncles and, of course, their spouses.
Kath had two older brothers, Eric and Gordon, a younger sister, Frances Isabel, known by her middle name, and a younger brother William, known as Bill. It is this family’s narrative that will be provided first followed by the narratives of Kath’s grandparents, the Bedford and Smith families. (Email Kate Mawer 16th Feb 2025)
1912 The family continued to live at 9 Ashgrove, with Aunt Polly (known later as Granny Polly) running the household. As a school student Kath took part in amateur dramatic performances. She is shown here as a cast member in ‘Pearl the fisher maid’. A Spanish operetta, clearly shown with the number of fans! Kath would have enjoyed the music, singing and dancing. (Email Kate Mawer 16 Feb 2025)
1915. This photograph was taken on the 10th February 1915, when Kath was 17 years old. She is on the left with her friend and cousin Frances Clough on the right. Kath’s enjoyment of the outdoors is shared through a series of photographs linked to the Cooperative Holiday Association. It is likely that Kath enjoyed these throughout her late teenage years. The aim of the CHA, at this time, was simple and strenuous recreative and educational holidays by offering reasonably priced accommodation and to promote friendship and fellowship amid the beauty of the natural world’. In many ways this sums up how Kath is often remembered.
The earliest photograph is dated July 24th and 31st 1915 when Kath went to Wharfedale, aged 17. Kath is sitting in the front row sixth from the right. Nine of her friends have signed the back with their addresses. They came from a number of the industrial cities of the north of England; Rochdale, Liverpool, Bradford and Manchester. (Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
These holidays appeared to have had a significant influence on Kath, as once a mother she encouraged her children to enjoy the outdoors. The Wharfedale Guest House was in Hebden, near Grassington, and named The Bungalow. This raises the question whether Kath gave the name, The Bungalow, to the small holiday house she rented each summer for her children at Cringles, during WW2, as it reminded her of these happy times in the outdoors.
She went on at least three holidays with CHA. Each year the number of friends signing the backs of the photographs increased. A couple added extra notes to their signature; ‘pianist’ and ‘the camera friend’. Online descriptions of these holidays suggest that many a marriage resulted. Although this was not the case for Kath.
The following description outlines of the types of activities being enjoyed.
‘The Cooperative Holidays Association holidays provided cheap, simple accommodation and an itinerary of walks, singing and evening lectures. Experts would instruct on geology, wildlife and botany. Later, painting, climbing and other pursuits were introduced. A holiday was subject to strict itinerary however, communal activities were not only provided but participation was a requirement. Daily walks of 18-20 miles was compulsory. Sing-alongs were encouraged, both on the walks and each evening. An official songbook was produced.’
The photograph at Lake Ogwen was no doubt one such walk when staying at Bangor in summer 1920. Kath is wearing the beret sitting on the rock near the centre. Kath is sitting on the rock in the centre wearing a beret. (Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
1916. These holidays overlapped with Kath’s time at Bingley Training College, where she was training to become a teacher. During the academic year of 1916/17, aged 19/20 Kath was living in Hild Hall at the college. The College opened in October 1911, set up as a college for the Women of the West Riding of Yorkshire.
‘One of the most remembered speeches was by the new Principal who ended her speech by concluding that she hoped that: “Mental fresh air and mental sunshine would be developed in the students through their association with green woods and purple moors and the sight of a valley full of stars at night”. Those latter words and image would be included in the College Song (1914) and repeated by students across the years to describe the beauty of the College location.’
1921. The course lasted two years. For Kath WW1 was spent in education. Kath’s teaching registration document indicates that in 1918, aged 21, she took up the post of Assistant Mistress at Sutton National School. She was probably working at the school when the war ended.
At the end of WW1, in 1918, the Keighley News noted the following;
‘The sounding of buzzers at 11.30am informed the inhabitants of Cross Hills and district on Monday that the armistice had been signed. The mills of Messrs. Woodrow, at Junction, and Messrs. J. C. Horsfall and Sons closed down from dinner-time, and shortly after dinner Messrs T. and M. Bairstow closed down their large mills for the rest of the day. Messrs. Bairstow stopped work again on Tuesday noon until Thursday morning in celebration of the event.’ (Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
It was not until the 1st July 1921 that Kath achieved her full teaching registration. She continued teaching at Sutton National School until 1923, most probably resigning at the end of the year prior to her marriage in January 1924 to Arthur Driver. A report of their wedding states that Kath had been the Headmistress of the Infants Department of the Sutton National School for the previous 5 years ie since leaving Bingley College in 1918. The headteacher at Sutton National School was Alfred Clough, Kath’s uncle by his marriage to Mary Bedford. Kath taught alongside her cousin, and close friend, Frances Clough. This photograph was taken in the garden at School House, Sutton. (Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
1920 While teaching, in 1920, Kath knew E. Owen Jennings, an art student, two years younger than Kath, although later to become a renowned artist. This may have been through Isabel, as E. Owen Jennings was a friend of Isabel’s first husband Guy Booker, both having studied together at Leeds College of Art. In February 1920 Owen, possibly somewhat tongue in cheek, gave Kath this pen and ink ‘invoice’. Kath kept it with her photographs. As a family we looked at it alongside the photographs, but never really realised its detail and humour until years later. Possibly Owen had helped Kath with some jobs at the school.
‘Jennings, Edgar Owen (1899-1985) was born in Skipton, Yorkshire in 1899. He was a painter, etcher, engraver, and illustrator and attended Skipton
School of Art, where, under the guidance of headmaster W T Shuttleworth, he studied bookbinding, textile design and crafts. This was followed by Leeds College of Art and the Royal College of Art, where he was a silver medallist. He became principal of the School of Art at Tunbridge Wells, in Kent, 1934– 65, after appointments at Doncaster School of Art, 1926–8, and Leeds College of Art, 1928–34. Jennings was elected RWS in 1950 and RE in 1970 and exhibited at the Paris Salon, in New York, Melbourne and Chicago and participated in British Council shows in Belgium, Poland, China and the Soviet Union. Official purchases of his work were made by the British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, and many other British and foreign collections. (Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
1924. The Keighley New reported the wedding and included the following details. The bride wore a charming dress of mauve chiffon velvet and silver tissue cut on gracefull lines with long sleeves and caught on the left hip with large bow of velvet and tissue. With the gown was worn a silk net veil to match and a Russian coronet of violets. She carried a bouquet of anemones, lilies of the valley, and violets.
The bridesmaid were attired in dresses of chiffon velevt in Victorian style, and trimmed ruchings of the same material in shades of silver grey, shell pink, and new reseda. Tey had coronets of silver tissue and silver net veils, and rushed velvet muffs to match the gowns. Miss S Driver was in silver grey, Miss B Driver in shell pink, and Miss Clough in new reseda.
After the ceremony a reception was held at Glasburn Institute, and later Mr and Mrs Driver left for London and Jersey, where the honeymoon is to be spent. The bride’s travelling dress was of black chiffon velvet, with loose side panels, trimmed with grey fur.(Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
1968 death date (Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
Known as Kath she grew up knowing both her grandfathers, Benjamin Bedford and James Smith, but neither of her grandmothers as both died aged 39/40 years old. Kath’s grandfathers both remarried. Benjamin to Peggy Tempest, and James Smith to Jane Bottomley, who died the year after Kath was born. At the time of Kath’s marriage to Arthur Driver, her only living grandparent was Peggy, her paternal step grandmother.
Kath was born into a large extended family. She would have been known to 10 aunts, 7 uncles and, of course, their spouses.
Kath had two older brothers, Eric and Gordon, a younger sister, Frances Isabel, known by her middle name, and a younger brother William, known as Bill. It is this family’s narrative that will be provided first followed by the narratives of Kath’s grandparents, the Bedford and Smith families. (Email Kate Mawer 16th Feb 2025)
1912 The family continued to live at 9 Ashgrove, with Aunt Polly (known later as Granny Polly) running the household. As a school student Kath took part in amateur dramatic performances. She is shown here as a cast member in ‘Pearl the fisher maid’. A Spanish operetta, clearly shown with the number of fans! Kath would have enjoyed the music, singing and dancing. (Email Kate Mawer 16 Feb 2025)
1915. This photograph was taken on the 10th February 1915, when Kath was 17 years old. She is on the left with her friend and cousin Frances Clough on the right. Kath’s enjoyment of the outdoors is shared through a series of photographs linked to the Cooperative Holiday Association. It is likely that Kath enjoyed these throughout her late teenage years. The aim of the CHA, at this time, was simple and strenuous recreative and educational holidays by offering reasonably priced accommodation and to promote friendship and fellowship amid the beauty of the natural world’. In many ways this sums up how Kath is often remembered.
The earliest photograph is dated July 24th and 31st 1915 when Kath went to Wharfedale, aged 17. Kath is sitting in the front row sixth from the right. Nine of her friends have signed the back with their addresses. They came from a number of the industrial cities of the north of England; Rochdale, Liverpool, Bradford and Manchester. (Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
These holidays appeared to have had a significant influence on Kath, as once a mother she encouraged her children to enjoy the outdoors. The Wharfedale Guest House was in Hebden, near Grassington, and named The Bungalow. This raises the question whether Kath gave the name, The Bungalow, to the small holiday house she rented each summer for her children at Cringles, during WW2, as it reminded her of these happy times in the outdoors.
She went on at least three holidays with CHA. Each year the number of friends signing the backs of the photographs increased. A couple added extra notes to their signature; ‘pianist’ and ‘the camera friend’. Online descriptions of these holidays suggest that many a marriage resulted. Although this was not the case for Kath.
The following description outlines of the types of activities being enjoyed.
‘The Cooperative Holidays Association holidays provided cheap, simple accommodation and an itinerary of walks, singing and evening lectures. Experts would instruct on geology, wildlife and botany. Later, painting, climbing and other pursuits were introduced. A holiday was subject to strict itinerary however, communal activities were not only provided but participation was a requirement. Daily walks of 18-20 miles was compulsory. Sing-alongs were encouraged, both on the walks and each evening. An official songbook was produced.’
The photograph at Lake Ogwen was no doubt one such walk when staying at Bangor in summer 1920. Kath is wearing the beret sitting on the rock near the centre. Kath is sitting on the rock in the centre wearing a beret. (Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
1916. These holidays overlapped with Kath’s time at Bingley Training College, where she was training to become a teacher. During the academic year of 1916/17, aged 19/20 Kath was living in Hild Hall at the college. The College opened in October 1911, set up as a college for the Women of the West Riding of Yorkshire.
‘One of the most remembered speeches was by the new Principal who ended her speech by concluding that she hoped that: “Mental fresh air and mental sunshine would be developed in the students through their association with green woods and purple moors and the sight of a valley full of stars at night”. Those latter words and image would be included in the College Song (1914) and repeated by students across the years to describe the beauty of the College location.’
1921. The course lasted two years. For Kath WW1 was spent in education. Kath’s teaching registration document indicates that in 1918, aged 21, she took up the post of Assistant Mistress at Sutton National School. She was probably working at the school when the war ended.
At the end of WW1, in 1918, the Keighley News noted the following;
‘The sounding of buzzers at 11.30am informed the inhabitants of Cross Hills and district on Monday that the armistice had been signed. The mills of Messrs. Woodrow, at Junction, and Messrs. J. C. Horsfall and Sons closed down from dinner-time, and shortly after dinner Messrs T. and M. Bairstow closed down their large mills for the rest of the day. Messrs. Bairstow stopped work again on Tuesday noon until Thursday morning in celebration of the event.’ (Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
It was not until the 1st July 1921 that Kath achieved her full teaching registration. She continued teaching at Sutton National School until 1923, most probably resigning at the end of the year prior to her marriage in January 1924 to Arthur Driver. A report of their wedding states that Kath had been the Headmistress of the Infants Department of the Sutton National School for the previous 5 years ie since leaving Bingley College in 1918. The headteacher at Sutton National School was Alfred Clough, Kath’s uncle by his marriage to Mary Bedford. Kath taught alongside her cousin, and close friend, Frances Clough. This photograph was taken in the garden at School House, Sutton. (Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
1920 While teaching, in 1920, Kath knew E. Owen Jennings, an art student, two years younger than Kath, although later to become a renowned artist. This may have been through Isabel, as E. Owen Jennings was a friend of Isabel’s first husband Guy Booker, both having studied together at Leeds College of Art. In February 1920 Owen, possibly somewhat tongue in cheek, gave Kath this pen and ink ‘invoice’. Kath kept it with her photographs. As a family we looked at it alongside the photographs, but never really realised its detail and humour until years later. Possibly Owen had helped Kath with some jobs at the school.
‘Jennings, Edgar Owen (1899-1985) was born in Skipton, Yorkshire in 1899. He was a painter, etcher, engraver, and illustrator and attended Skipton
School of Art, where, under the guidance of headmaster W T Shuttleworth, he studied bookbinding, textile design and crafts. This was followed by Leeds College of Art and the Royal College of Art, where he was a silver medallist. He became principal of the School of Art at Tunbridge Wells, in Kent, 1934– 65, after appointments at Doncaster School of Art, 1926–8, and Leeds College of Art, 1928–34. Jennings was elected RWS in 1950 and RE in 1970 and exhibited at the Paris Salon, in New York, Melbourne and Chicago and participated in British Council shows in Belgium, Poland, China and the Soviet Union. Official purchases of his work were made by the British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, and many other British and foreign collections. (Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
1924. The Keighley New reported the wedding and included the following details. The bride wore a charming dress of mauve chiffon velvet and silver tissue cut on gracefull lines with long sleeves and caught on the left hip with large bow of velvet and tissue. With the gown was worn a silk net veil to match and a Russian coronet of violets. She carried a bouquet of anemones, lilies of the valley, and violets.
The bridesmaid were attired in dresses of chiffon velevt in Victorian style, and trimmed ruchings of the same material in shades of silver grey, shell pink, and new reseda. Tey had coronets of silver tissue and silver net veils, and rushed velvet muffs to match the gowns. Miss S Driver was in silver grey, Miss B Driver in shell pink, and Miss Clough in new reseda.
After the ceremony a reception was held at Glasburn Institute, and later Mr and Mrs Driver left for London and Jersey, where the honeymoon is to be spent. The bride’s travelling dress was of black chiffon velvet, with loose side panels, trimmed with grey fur.(Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
1968 death date (Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
Notes for Arthur (Spouse 1)
1890 brith date (email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
1914-1918 Served in First World War. Second War in charge of Home Guard in Silsden. Played the cello - really nice man. He was the manager the Driver’s Mill in Silsden.717
1924 Six months after Isabel’s wedding, on Wednesday 30th January 1924 Kath married Arthur Driver. We do not know how they met, but we are intrigued that their home in Elm Grove, Silsden was called Raven Stones. The name of a moorland area of Sutton-in-Craven. We have a wedding photograph, just the one, and the wedding report from the newspaper. (Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
1977 death date (email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
1914-1918 Served in First World War. Second War in charge of Home Guard in Silsden. Played the cello - really nice man. He was the manager the Driver’s Mill in Silsden.717
1924 Six months after Isabel’s wedding, on Wednesday 30th January 1924 Kath married Arthur Driver. We do not know how they met, but we are intrigued that their home in Elm Grove, Silsden was called Raven Stones. The name of a moorland area of Sutton-in-Craven. We have a wedding photograph, just the one, and the wedding report from the newspaper. (Email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)
1977 death date (email Kate Mawer 16.2.25)