NO history of Wharton would be complete without a mention of Mrs Marion Newall, who lived at the once proud Wharton Hall, standing opposite the White Swan pub.

Many older folk will remember the older Mrs Newell walking her spaniels along Wharton Road daily; a woman of character she was well liked locally.

Born Marion Armstrong in 1859, she was the daughter of JK Armstrong, salt magnate of Oakland, a large house standing opposite the bacon factory site, which was demolished in the 1960s.

Her grandfather was Josiah Perrin, wealthy salt works and landowner.

Marrying W Newall of Dumfries in 1887, she lost her husband in 1899 and returned to Wharton Hall, which her father had bought.

Her son moved there with her but, like many other townsfolk, was killed in the Great War, which devastated her throughout her life.

Mrs Newall worked for the benefit of the town, being the president of the Albert Infirmary Linen League, founder of the Winsford Nursing Association and a supporter of Wharton Church in particular, the mothers' union.

Mrs Newall lived at the Hall until her home was requisitioned by the army for hospital use in the Second World War. She returned afterwards.

In 1950 she moved to Audlem, to the home of her Armstrong parents.

She had many servants and a cook, who along with her niece and old housekeeper, Miss Bell, would regularly travel with her to her second home in Scotland.

In 1923 the Wincham Munitions Factory was moved brick by brick and rebuilt at Winsford by the Salt Union as a recreation room, the land that it stands on was given by Mrs Newall on condition it was named after her father, hence the name, Armstrong Hall.

The land now forming Wharton Rec was given by her father also, in 1887.

It's nice to see that a memorial window in Wharton Church reads: "In loving memory of Marian Perrin Knight Newall, died November 27, 1961 aged 102 years."

She is also remembered by Newall Crescent.

Wharton Hall, a shell of its former self is in the process of renovation having been sold for redevelopment.

Very little remains of the former hall, only the centre bit, on this photo, taken a couple of years ago.

The second photo is of Mrs Newall in her later life.