Lady Bountiful

In 1962, a 53 year old lady that we shall refer to as Miss S was sentenced to 21 months in prison at Somerset Quarter Sessions. The charges were fraud, false pretences and forgery and Miss S also asked for 17 other offences to be taken into consideration. It emerged that she had also “done time” previously.

The extraordinary thing that has relevance is that Miss S was secretary of Montacute Village Hall – as well as being President of the village WI and parish councillor. Even more fascinating is that Miss S didn’t commit these crimes for personal gain – not of a financial nature anyway. It seems to me that she just wanted to be popular.

Miss S had invented a benefactress. At first, she declared the Lady Bountiful to be anonymous – but then she decided that she could in fact be named as a Miss McBain , who had an estate near Porlock. Using this fictitious lady’s donations, Miss S paid for outings, parties and marquees for flower shows. But of course this money had to come from somewhere. Various offences were set in motion to obtain the cash, including forging Post Office bank forms.

When it all came to light, Miss S absconded to a caravan in Paignton, but she was eventually discovered (or did she give herself up, I wonder…I went to Paignton once…)

Miss S apologised to the people of Montacute.


Click here to read my potted history of the English village hall

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