Mabel Ferrett (1917-2011) was a British poet, publisher, literary editor and local historian. She was one of the founders of the long-established Pennine Poets writing group.[1] She established the Fighting Cock Press to publish work by northern authors.[1]
Mabel Ferrett | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mabel Frankland (1917-04-30)30 April 1917[1][2][3] Ossett, West Riding of Yorkshire[1] |
| Died | 28 January 2011(2011-01-28) (aged 93)[1][2] |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Poet, publisher, literary editor and local historian[1] |
| Organization | The Pennine Poets |
| Spouse(s) | Harold Ferrett[1][2] |
| Children | one[1][2] |
She was born Mabel Frankland in Ossett, West Riding of Yorkshire.[1] She attended Ossett Grammar School and became a teacher.[1][2] She married in 1947 and thereafter lived in Heckmondwike, also in West Yorkshire.[1][2] Ferrett died in 2011 aged 93.[1][2][4]
Ferrett started the Pennine Poets writing group in 1966 in Elland, West Yorkshire.[1] She founded the Fighting Cock Press in 1973.[1] She edited the journal of the Pennine Poets, Pennine Platform, between 1973 and 1976, and Orbis poetry magazine between 1978 and 1980.[1][5][6]
Her own poetry won awards including the Julia Cairns award for poetry from the Society of Women Writers and Journalists.[1] Her poetry was often on historical themes.[1] She also wrote for local magazines and newspapers, including The Yorkshire Post.[1][5] Her historical novel about Chartism in the Spen Valley was dramatised on BBC Radio 4.[5][7]
Ferrett worked at the Red House Museum in Gomersal and also as a teacher.[2][5] During the war she taught under challenging conditions at Armley National School in Leeds.[1][5]
She was a founder member of the Spen Valley Historical Society.[2][5] She was particularly known for her work on the Brontës and their circle.[1][4]