HISTORY
Common Threads: Characters that Framed the villages
Striking a chord in
If International Women’s Day is a time to recognise women’s achievements and the lasting effects they have had on the world, then what better time to remember a woman from Wentworth whose legacy has remained ingrained in the village that she devoted her whole life to.
Miss Agnes Bertram was the epitome of an independent woman. Self-sufficient, modest, respectful and always fearlessly herself. A colourful character, she was the sunshine in the rain and people were attracted to her strength and growth. She was unshakeable in her faith, pursuing goals that didn’t just serve herself.
She played a key role in
Wentworth village life right up until she left this earth in her nineties, teaching piano, hosting charitable events and having a life-long commitment to the church. Now, Miss Bertram’s ‘herstory’ of how she contributed to the fabric of society has been stitched together thanks to the textile-based Common Threads project run by Gemma Nemer, artist in residence for Great Place Wentworth and Elsecar.
Miss Bertram and her Mother
Her-stories honour the women who have shaped humanity and history in all fields, recognising the achievements and contributions of extraordinary women who have made a significant difference. Right from the off, it became clear to Gemma that Miss Bertram was a well-loved character thanks to the glowing snippets and anecdotes she was told by numerous different people at the drop-in sessions held at the Mechanics Institute in Wentworth, where a portrait of Miss Bertram also hangs.
She was then introduced to Jonathan Addy, a volunteer historian at Wentworth Woodhouse and a family friend of Miss Bertram, who had nothing but fond memories of her.
“She was a real powerhouse of a woman, so wonderful and
‘‘From a young age, Agnes was taught piano by her mother from whom she had inherited her musical talents. Mrs Bertram had studied under Sheffield pianist and Bach expert, Claud Biggs.’’
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aroundtownmagazine.co.uk Miss Bertram at her piano
kind. In this day and age we are so accepting of flaws but she always seemed flawless, especially to me as a child growing up. She was very avant-garde throughout her life and was perfectly turned out at every moment,” Jonathan says. It is apparent from the
photographs of her that she was never out of sorts, always with her pearls on and her hair neatly in place; it is hard to imagine she owned a single piece of loungewear. Much of Jonathan’s childhood was spent in Miss Bertram’s garden or helping sell buns for her charity events – and stealing owl-shaped biscuits. In her teens, Jonathan’s mother, Gillian, became like a personal assistant to Miss Bertram, occupying Agnes’ mother while she taught her music students. Over time, Gillian grew into a confidant and Miss Bertram’s right-hand woman, with the pair striking up an unbreakable bond despite their 40-year age gap. When Agnes died in 2004 aged 92, her personal possessions were left to Gillian which she has slowly drip-fed through to Jonathan over the last ten years. The bulk of this, including precious photographs of her life, have been used by Gemma
in the project to showcase what a remarkable woman she was. “We are very lucky to have such special mementos and heirlooms from Miss Bertram’s estate. It’s fair to say she has had a massive effect on my life so now I want to share her story with others,” Jonathan says. Miss Agnes Lucy Bertram was born on 30th August 1911, the first and only child of Frank and Amy Bertram. Her destiny to become a strong woman may have also been set as 1911 marked the first time International Women’s Day was celebrated.
The family lived at Longley
Springs Farm in Harley where Frank was a farmer. He followed in his father John’s footsteps, who was farm bailiff for the 6th Earl Fitzwilliam and lived at Hood Hill Farm. Agnes was educated at Hoyland Common before gaining a place at Barnsley Girls High School due to her academic ability. However, she contracted scarlet fever just two weeks in to her first year there and never returned. From a young age, Agnes was taught piano by her mother from whom she had inherited her musical talents. Mrs Bertram had studied under Sheffield pianist and Bach
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