Uncovering the forgotten stories of women: Celebrating unsung heroes of Dearne Valley and Doncaster through historic detective work

Following extensive research into three pioneering women, the residents of Edlington, Mexborough and Thorne will be able to learn more about their amazing stories.

Among those featured in an exhibition in Doncaster are mountaineers Katharine (Katy) Richardson, of Edlington, and Mexborough’s first female councillor, Marie Singleton.

Victoria Ryves, learning and community development manager for culture services at Doncaster Council, said: “Often, the stories of women have been overlooked in the past.

“I hope we’re correcting this balance.

“These women have different stories and these are three women whom we haven’t really celebrated in the museum before — if at all.

“It potentially serves people in Doncaster to feel more proud of where they are from.

“There were some incredible people living here, doing amazing things.

“The things they uncovered have been fascinating to learn about. There were things I didn’t know about at all.

“I really looking forward to these landmarks being installed in Doncaster so that we can recognise more of Doncaster’s incredible past.”

Victoria said her team had worked with community researchers to find out about “lots of different women” and the stories will be turned into place makers and information panels.

“The research will be featured online and in an exhibition that will be opening at Danum Gallery by the end of the month,” she said.

“We’ve worked with a panel of young people who have voted on which three of the women will be getting these panels.

“For Edlington, it’s Katharine (Katy) Richardson who was an alpine mountaineer in the 1800s. She was really incredible.

“She climbed the mountains in skirts and wore a corset.

“She climbed the mountains men claimed were unclimbable…

“For Mexborough, it’s Marie Singleton who was the first female councillor in Mexborough.

“She was involved in lots of campaigns — including one to get Mexborough access to a public swimming bath because there were concerns about people swimming in the Don at that time.

“The final lady, for Thorne, is Gillian Coultard who was a Doncaster Belles player.”

Victoria said the process had been “really lovely” but the researchers had needed to dig deep and become “history detectives”.

Permanent landmarks will be displayed in spring and you will be able to read more about the area’s incredible women at www.heritagedoncaster.org.uk.