NORAH MARY NELSON

Born : 1936 in Northwich

Father & Mother : Frederick & Susan Nelson

Married Geoffrey Ashman in 1956

Children

Kevin Ashman :

Married John Stopford in 1984

Married Francis Dolphin in 2002

Northwich Guardian 2003

Nora makes history as woman chairman

28 May 2003

FOR only the fourth time in its 114-year history, Cheshire County Council has a woman chairman - and it is one of Northwich's leading ladies.

The election of Cty Clr Nora Dolphin, who holds the Weaver Ward, was watched on Thursday in the county council chamber by the three women, all honorary aldermen, who have previously held the office.

And her nomination was seconded by Liberal Democrat group leader Sue Proctor - herself a former vice-chairman and the first woman to lead a political group on the county council.

Cty Clr Dolphin said: "There have been 27 people who have been chairman and the first woman was just 19 years ago. Back in history the second chairman - Sir George Dixon - held the post for 29 years. Six of the past chairmen received knighthoods and several had military backgrounds.

"Until very recently, the post was a purely male domain and my three women predecessors have shown they can do the job - and do it well. Indeed all past chairmen have set an extremely high standard and I am deeply honoured to follow in their footsteps."

The first woman chairman - Margaret Melrose - held the post twice, as did the new High Sheriff of Cheshire, Diana McConnell.

Pam Hayward was Labour's first woman chairman.

Cty Clr Dolphin will be taking over the role from Cty Clr Bert Grange and said: "Bert will be a hard act to follow. As vice-chairman for the past 14 months, I have witnessed at first hand how these two roles can be exhausting and yet deeply satisfying.

"I would like to make the young people of Cheshire my focus during my year in office because they are our future.

Their needs affect all our County Council services."

Also watching the ceremony was husband Frank, an honorary alderman and new chairman of Weaverham Parish Council, son Kevin and daughter-in-law Margaret.

Cty Clr Dolphin has four grandchildren and is immediate past president of the Northwich and District branch of the women's service organisation Soroptimist International.

KEVIN STEWART ASHMAN