Ms Enid Hague: 5th March 1882 - 26th October 1942, benefactor of Whirlow Chapel.

The Hagues were the last of two dozen or so rich Ecclesall families - Enid’s death in 1942 was described as the ‘end of an epoch’. Grandfather George was a coal owner from Wentworth, starting the Carhouse Colliery in Rotherham. Enid’s father Ernest, was George’s fifth child born in 1853. He also founded and directed collieries. The family lived at Castle Dyke, Ecclesall and Enid lived there most of her life. The family also owned Broad Oak Farm on Broad Elms Lane.

The Hagues attended and were generous to Ecclesall Church and its school, and the family grave can still be seen in All Saint’s Churchyard.

Enid was a “Christian of the spirit of St Francis - tender, real and beneficent. It was dangerous to mention needy causes to her because she would pour out richly her gifts and we knew how many good causes she was already supporting”. She had a “spiritual outlook, a fine and deep culture touched by a quiet sense of humour”.

She led a Girl’s Friendly Society (offering friendship to domestic workers away from home), a bible class for women, various working parties etc. She was also on the PCC.

Her death certificate called her a “spinster of no occupation”(!) In her will she left £7000 for a church at Whirlow, £3000 to the Ecclesall Nave Fund, £2000 for St Gabriel’s, £1000 to relief of clergy in the diocese, £5000 to missionary societies and other gifts to family. She gave generously to many causes and of what was recorded it was said “she did more than this but publicity is forbidden”.