On Wednesday 11th October, Retford Ladies Probus Club members welcomed speaker Pat Osborne, who gave a fascinating insight into the life of writer Catherine Cookson. Born into abject poverty in 1906, Catherine probably did for the North East what Dickens did for London in presenting an accurate portrayal of her times through thinly veiled characters. Indeed, she was quite indignant when her first novel, Kate Hannigan, was described as romantic fiction rather than social history.
Catherine was seven years old when she cruelly learned from other children that Rose and John Macmillan were actually her grandparents and her ‘sister’ Kate was really her mother. Kate was a consummate alcoholic who Catherine tried to help throughout her life. Illegitimacy carried a huge stigma and one day when the local doctor gave her a lift to school she wasted no time making others think he was her ‘da’. Her grandfather, who loved her dearly, once told her she was a “stinking liar, but don’t stop because one day it will get you somewhere!”
Catherine went into service at the age of 13, moving to Hastings at 23, where she set about reinventing and educating herself and saving every penny, so she could to move into a flat and finally buying a 15-room house where she could take in lodgers. Around this time, she met Tom Cookson, a teacher and Oxford graduate. They wed in 1940. Catherine suffered four miscarriages which resulted in a breakdown. It was discovered she had a rare blood disease called telangietasia, causing bleeding from the nose, stomach and fingers. In later years when her real father was traced, it was apparent she had inherited it from him. Pat’s research also shows that Catherine may have had a relationship with a woman called Nan Smythe. In spite of her illness, she lived to be nearly 92, with Tom dying 17 days after her.
The club’s next meeting takes place on Wednesday 13th December at Westhill Community Centre at 10.00am for 10.30am, for fun and carols. All are welcome.