Tree planted at Jubilee Square to commemorate Betty Entwistle

At our new development in the heart of St Albans, a tree was planted in honour of pioneering local government officer Betty Entwistle.

Betty was England’s first female town clerk and the first chief executive of St Albans City and District Council (SADC). During her tenure, she conducted the ceremony when the Queen Mother was given the freedom of the city in 1961.

She was active in local arts and conservation societies and sadly died at her St Albans home in 1975.

The tree, donated by local company Aylett Nurseries, is a Flowering Dogwood that should grow to a height of around 8ft in the next ten years and blossom every spring.

On 21 November, staff from Watford Community Housing attended the ceremony along with Councillor Jacqui Taylor, Lead for Housing, Amanda Foley, SADC’s Chief Executive, and Professor Tim Boatswain, Chairman of St Albans Blue Plaques.

Cllr Taylor said: “Betty was a trailblazer as a woman and an important figure in the history of local government.

“I like to think she would have been proud of our Jubilee Square development which includes 33 social housing properties and is providing new homes for dozens of people.

“A tree in the centre of the walkway, in sight of our current Council offices, is a perfect way of paying tribute to this formidable woman.”

Prof Boatswain said: “I hit upon the idea of a tree when spotting a photograph of the sheltered accommodation block in Holyrood Crescent that was named after her. It included a tree that had been planted in her honour.

“That block has since been demolished and replaced and the tree has also gone. It occurred to me that it would be appropriate to plant another tree in her memory at this new Council development.

“The St Albans community owes Betty a lot. She was an amazing role model, very energetic and associated with many different causes. The tree will be a reminder of all her good work.”