Letter from Ann
Hello Michael
Thank you for your message and thank you for what you are doing to promote Hylda's memory. As you know, I had responsibility for her care and interests in her later years. This was not particularly easy because I was a busy head teacher living in Lancashire and she was in London. At one stage we thought of moving her nearer but she was settled.
In terms of helping you with memorabilia, I have quite a lot here and the family also gave more than a couple of hundred items to the Lancashire Museum in Preston. When Jean was preparing her play I took her along. The staff were extremely helpful. Many of Hylda's costumes are there, a number of which were made by my grandmother.
The things that I am holding are mainly photographs, scripts, music, wigs, a few clothes, This is Your Life Book and her own jottings. I provided all of the photographs that are in Jean's book, many of which you have used in ‘Hylda’s Show’. A number of family members, myself included, provided much of the background for both the play and the book.
I would like, through you, to dispel one or two misbeliefs. The first is that she died alone. This was something that she was always afraid of and I was determined that it wouldn't happen that way.
As you know, Hylda suffered from Alzheimer’s. After a spell in hospital, she transferred to The Entertainment Artist’s Benevolent Home in Twickenham where she was well looked after. Later, as she deteriorated, Hylda was moved to Horton Hospital, Epsom, who were more able to treat her dementia. The staff who looked after her there were superb. I used to call them her hospital family. They always made me very welcome. I visited at every half term holiday and kept in touch by telephone.
In mid April 1986 Hylda slipped into unconsciousness. We knew she would not recover. I went down both weekends to see her. Then on 1st of May I received a message at home early in the morning to say that she wouldn't be able to last the day. I caught the first train and when I arrived several hours later, I heard the nurse say "Hang on Hylda. Ann's coming." She was sitting with Hylda. I took her place, held Hylda's hand and some twenty minutes later she died peacefully. It was a very moving experience. The nurses took me away, gave me tea and then took me back to see her. They had placed a halo of flowers around her head. It was beautiful. So she died surrounded by love.
Her funeral was in Twickenham She was cremated. Rumour has it that only ten people attended the funeral. Not so. Family members alone numbered more that that. There were also people there from The Entertainment Artist Benevolent Home in Twickenham, Horton Hospital, her agent, her accountant and a few friends.
One of your members talks of visiting Hylda's last resting place and there is a picture of a monument with names which I presume is in Twickenham. It is so kind of the person to do this. Hylda's ashes were however, brought north and are scattered with those of her father, mother, sisters and brothers at the Overdale Crematorium, Bolton.
All good wishes
Ann
Song:
Give Us A Kiss
From the musical
Mr & Mrs
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Comments
Like so many stars since passed on i never got to meet my favourite people, being born in 1966, all I can do is read about them, watch the films and collect autograpphs from dealers, I would of loved to have met Hylda and say thank you for the laughs you gave me ,
I have just read the book " She knows y'know" and really enjoyed it, wonderful photographs in it.
God bless Hylda and thanks x
Mark
Good simple but very clever British humour. I'm always trying to emulate her style of comedy in everyday work.
The Vicar knocks at the front door, Hylda opens it and says, "Come in your Ignorance". These people are irreplaceable.
Chris.
just found you a few mins ago!saw the play about Hylda in the 90s in london.Saw Hylda live on stage in a comedy in Great Yarmouth in the 70s.I was only in my early teens I think,and can't remember anything about it.However I do recall I wanted to see her as I enjoyed her on the telly!
Hello Ann
Are we related? My father's family name is Sherwood, and my father's mother was called Anne L Beardsell, born 1884. It was always said that she was related to Hylda, but whether or not by marriage to a man named Sherwood, I do not know. He left Anne Beardsell with two small boys. Do any of these names mean anything to you?
Best wishes
Claudia
I used to admire Hylda`s work immensly and we often speak about The Brown Cow, and Pickle Factory [ which also included Joe Gladwin later to become famed as Wally Batty ] affectionately, I still chuckle when I rtemember her catchphrase " What are you today Gilbert ?". Only discovered in the last few days that DVD`s of this and others are readily available and am eagerly awaiting the first of these to arrive, i shall eventually buy as many as I can get hold of.
i always looked upon hilda as a professional, talented,funny actress. i used to like her when she mentioned colne accrington etc . she was one of the few great actors we had eg les dawson my she rest in peace
What a relief to know this wonderful woman did not die on her own.Ms Baker brought joy to millions of people through out her long career .I for one loved her dearly .
It just goes to show you can't believe everything you read in the newspapers.
I have a signed picture of Hilda Baker which was signed to my Grandfather Len Kendall who was the Stage Manager at the Metropole Theatre many years ago. I have it in a frame will send you a copy later. I watched her as a child she made me cry with laughter.
i watched the clip from the paul ogrady show of nearest and dearest and didnt recognise it, i thought i had all the episodes of nearest, so can someone tell me how many episodes there were of this series and what episode the clip was from, thank you very glad , kevin , a hilda fanatic x x x x
this is for the lady who wants to buy complete series of' Not On Your Nellie' Play.com has them my mother bought them there.
kind regards, Veronica
Just bought the complete series of Nearest and Dearest from 'Play.com'. I remember watching some of the series growing up as a child and dearly wanted to rekindle some of those fond memories and a lady with so much talent. I have never come across an artiste that can measure up to her uniqueness.
I have recently purchased series 1 2 & 3 of Not on Your Nellie and so far the 1st Series Nearest and Dearest from Amazon.co.uk
could anyone please tell me where i can purchase the complete series of Not on your Nellie and Nearest and Dearest. The links I have found no longer seem to work. Many thanks.
Watching all nearest and dearest episodes again ,the last time as a kid. also not on your nellie. i have just watched the feature film nearest and dearest,it was set in blackpool but the outside seaside scenes were shot in southend on sea essex,i know this because my workmate was a kid in 1972 and got hyldas autograph whilst watching the filming of the film,good site ,memories what memories
i have great memories of this very funny lady when I watched nearest and dearest as a kid now I have the complete box set of the said series and now as an adult can appreciate even more thanks to Hylda and her partner in crime jimmy jewel
I was born in 1961 and all of my family were entertained by this great Lady throughout the 60's & 70's.
I've been a fan of "For time immoral" and now own the whole collection of Hylda's wonderful shows on DVD.
As "I'm sat sitting" here, I can just see my own Mother, who also "Went a bit menthol" and died from that "Old timers (Alzheimers) disease, rocking with laughter at Hylda's wonderful malaprops.
Hylda, may you rest in peace in "The great behind".
"And I say that without fear of contraception".
what about the pickled onion factory folks lol
i was trying to remember this wonderfull talented lady who i grew up with on my tv and found this site just amazsing thank you god bless nellie
hylda was a true star , i can remember watching nearest and dearest as a child im now 44 and have the complete box set and the not on your nellie series too , hylda we all love and miss you . a legend of comedy .
22 June 2009
Appomattox, VA USA
Mum and me LOVE Miss Baker!
A company called Wham USA
released the 1st series of "Not On Your Nellie" last year and it made Christmas Very Special. Also look for Hylda featured on the British Ladies of Comedy double CD available through Borders Books, London.
All the best to you all,
"And I can say that without fear of contraception"
Tif Rice
I have been blessed by her in my life as a relative of this fabulous lady i was treated to days out i Southport and Blackpool she was always my hero she would take me drives in her brand new rover and although we have never met Ann you must be the daughter of uncle Sid
Hylda was a comic genious I recently got all the episodes of Not on your Nellie on dvd and watched them back to back now i cant wait to get all the nearest and dearest dvds thank you very glad for keeping Hyldas memory alive
I have got the first five series of Nearest and Dearest watched, and eagerly await watching series 6 that Father Christmas left for me! I remember the show from my teens (am 42 now) and thought she was hilarious then, but now, I think she was sheer brilliance! For a long time she has been my a very funny heroine of mine!
just fortunate to get hold of the recently re released complete series of Nearest and Dearest.....I had a vague memory of how good the show was when it first aired, but seeing it again you realise what a truly wonderful artist and performer Hylda Baker was......coupled with a very clever script and a wonderful cast the show was quite superb.......she was a wonderful comedienne and these dvds are a marvellous tribute to her wonderful and long career...she truly was a star
We love Hylda in our family and I live across the road from Ashworth street, Farnworth. Great memories of this lovely Lady. x
A dear, dear lady and a true professional. I still mourn her passing.
Hylda was the greatest comedienne of all time. There will never be anlother like her. I still watch 'Nearest and Dearest' and 'Not on your Nellie'
God bless you Hylda.
I have only just gone onto the internet and have been playing around with it. When I found this site about Hylda it really lifted my spirits and I thoroughly enjoyed the short clip that I have just seen. I hope to see more as I read on but could not resist to comment. I still keep Hylda alive in my work as a chauffer/bearer with a funeral directors with a few Hylda'isms when appropriate. You may like to hear this true story of a colleague who revealed that"when the paramethnics had got to him he could not be resuffocated" Need I say more . This has been rather poignant as my dear mother has recently gone into care with Alzeimers disease and she too was a great Hylda herself .One of hers was that she did not require help to do her polutions!
Best wishes to all Robert
She was, and still is The Best !
Have loved Hilda Baker since childhood a brilliant actress and stand up comedian Jean Furgusen portrayed her superbly what a really nice compliment to the great Hilda Baker. Thankyou so much for many years of entertainment. a truely lovely lady
DEAR HILDA A ONE OFF STILL LAUGH AT HER ROUTINES ,
LOVE TO ALL BERNIEXX
Irreplaceable and timeless Hilda still lives on in DVD mode thank goodness. The phrase ‘they don’t make `em like that any more is often over used. It applies in spades to this grand lady.
Hylda was a comic genius ... I have spent the weekend having a Hylda Baker DVD fest.
I spent from ... I must get a little hand put on this watch as I'm stood, standing here.
I remember Hylda Baker so well. She was often on the television when I was a child in the 1960s. Now, in my late forties, I remember such programmes with great affection. I bought all of Nearest and Dearest a few months ago and laughed as I watched it. I recently bought all of Not on your Nellie and have just finished watching it this morning. If anything, it's even funnier than Nearest and Dearest. Hylda was a true entertainer who could turn her hand to anything. We won't see the likes of her again but I have wonderfully happy memories of her performances on tv.
I have just bought the whole Nearest and Dearest series and i absolutely adore Hylda.
I will never tire of watching her genius
I think Hylda Baker was soooo funny, she will not be forgotten, am so pleased her humour is available on DVD. I am pleased it is wrong she died alone and that few were at her funeral, she deserved better. Thank-you for clearing that up Ann.
in my opinion,probably the best comedienne ever.....thanks hylda
Just wanted to say 'thank you very glad Hylda'! Loved you to bits. God bless
i remember watching all hyldas programmes as i grew up and she brought laughter into our lives i always wondered what happened to her and now i know thankyou, i have all her dvds and the movie she made too her memory will never die and she will be in our hearts forever thanks to the legacy of programmes she left behind xx
I have lived in Farnworth all my life
and though I may be too young (55) to remember her personally I love her comedy and have every series of "Nearest and Dearest" On DVD and also the first of "Not on Your Nellie" and have pre-ordered the second and third which are out in a few days!
Wayne
She Knows you know! What a great catchfrase for a great lady, I spent many happy times watching her shows on TV over the years and now I am the proud owner of some of the Nearest & Dearest DVD collections, they are all so wonderful to watch and for my mother's Christmas I bought her the 1st series of Not on your Nellie, She was really pleased, they bring back such happy times for all who discover and lover work. Old & Young a like. God bless Hylda XX
So Sorry to hear of Hilda's death. I only found out just now, thinking back to happy childhood memories and wondering why, the likes of Nearest and Dearest is not screened anymore, searching I found some lovely old footage of Hilda; although personally missed by immediate family and friends, in the viewers hearts her memories last forever, she left her mark on this earth with a great deal of fond memories through the laughter she brought us, one cannot view Hilda acting without a smile All my Dearesr feeling for the loss of your wonderful Aunt Hilda
All my best wishes Jenny
hey. just want some info. i am thinking about writing a autobraphy about hylda baker. who do i need to get permission off to write it? can you give my information. thanks again. steven
i just discovered hylda baker on youtube. I love here. im in oklahoma city, ok. usa i wish more of her shows was posted. hylda, ur still gaining fans, now in the 21st century. thanks for the laughs
What a lovely letter and though at Christmas, Now we all know that Hylda's last days were warm and kind. God bless you Ann.