Fantastic news – there is now a Harrogate Civic Society Brown Plaque to mark Mary Fisher MBE contribution to civic life of Harrogate from the 1920s until her death in 1972. The plaque is sited at 1 Mount Parade in the centre of Harrogate. A place she lived with her husband and family for over forty years.
How we got involved?
Club member Val Hills first became aware of Mary Fisher MBE when she saw her gravestone in Stonefall cemetery in 2021 and wondered, who was this woman? The first Lady Mayor and Alderman of Harrogate and Honorary Freeman of Harrogate Borough. This started her inquiry into Mary’s life, using the Internet, visiting Harrogate library’s newspapers archive collection, the British Newspaper Archive, Ancestry.com and by talking to people who knew and remembered Mary.
The life of a remarkable woman.
Mary Fisher, nee Stott, played a key role in bringing Girl Guiding to Harrogate in the 1930s. She was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1939, elected a town councillor in 1943, all at a time when women had only just recently received the vote. In 1949 she became the first Lady Mayor. She continued a life of service to the community. This included the chairmanship of Harrogate and District Society for the Blind, the establishment of council home for the elderly as well as supporting other organisations for the young, elderly and disabled. In 1958 Mary received an MBE from The Queen, for services to the community. She became an Honorary Freeman of Harrogate Borough in 1970. Mary was well known in her life time and highly regarded.
Working with others to get the Evidence
The Club believed Mary Fisher deserved a Brown Plaque. We are keen to see notable local women’s contributions recognised in this way. With our founder member Dr Kathleen Rutherford MBE already recognised. Harrogate Civic Society were also aware of Mary’s legacy. We were supported in our campaign to get Mary recognised with an article in the Harrogate Advertiser by Graham Chalmers. This led to her Granddaughter, Anne Asquith, contacting the Club as well as Vision Support Harrogate District. Anne provided more insight into Mary life and far better photos. Vision Support provided the Eulogy at Mary’s Memorial Service service in March 1972. The Fisher family supported Harrogate and District Society for the Blind (the forerunner of Vision Support Harrogate KAVS). Mary chaired the meetings up to her death in 1972.
Finding out Mary is a past member of the Club
Another discovery, as the Club celebrated its 90th year in 2023, was finding, from a photo taken in the 1940s, that Mary had been an active member of our Club – A sister Soroptimist.
Anne, Mary’s Granddaugher confirmed this. Mary’s badge is in her keepsakes.
Thank you to Harrogate Civic Society
Thank you to Harrogate Civic Society for their support and research in recognising Mary’s life as one that deserved a Civic Society Brown plaque.
Unveiling of the Plaque
The 22nd July 2025 marks a special day. Mary was at the centre of much civic activity to help others throughout her adult life. As well as running a business and raising a family. The plaque that marks where she lived is also near to the butchers shop she ran with her husband and latterly her son. In the heart of Harrogate, a town she gave so much too. A Beloved Citizen as stated on the front page of the local paper when she died in 1972.
Three generations of Mary’s family were able to be present at the unveiling at Mary’s old home followed by a reception at Vision Support Harrogate KAVS. The unveiling was introduced by Mike Newby, Chair of Harrogate Civic Society. Cllr Mike Aldred, The Mayor of Harrogate Town Council unveiled the plaque. Club member Val Hills and Mary’s granddaughter spoke about Mary’s life.
The Club would like to give a special thank you to:
- Chris Dicken and Brenda Grant from Harrogate Civic Society for organising the unveiling event and so much more
- Tanya Stimpson, Director of Vision Support Harrogate for hosting the event in a place that means so much to the Fisher family.
- the owner of 1 Mount Parade for permission to mount the plaque.
- Janet Morrow and other Club members for the cakes and helping serve the refreshments.
- And, Anne Asquith and the Fisher family for providing the information that brought a name on a gravestone to life
We are delighted that there is now also a Wikipedia page devoted the Mary Fisher MBE