Risdene Echo, June 2020 (The Journal of Rushden & District History Society) Lily in the 1990s [a group photo clip] A TRIBUTE TO LILY HAWES WE WERE greatly saddened by the death of dear Lily a few months ago. Not only had she been a member of this Society for very many years, but she was well known in Rushden and the local area for her talks. In an area where the Northamptonshire accent - and particularly our own distinctive Rushden dialect 'Rushdenese' - was widely spoken and understood until some years ago, Lily was generally regarded as 'well-spoken'. The accent and the local dialect are gradually disappearing as it gets 'diluted' by the accents and dialects of 'incomers' swelling the population in this area. But thanks to the efforts of Reginald W. Norman (R.W.N. as he became known) and his cartoon creation 'AIR ADA' which featured in the Evening Telegraph for many years, together with cartoons drawn by Peter Nevett, we were given the opportunity to try to speak the language very much like it was spoken. The cartoons portrayed a lady called Ada (Our Ada) talking to her friend Maud (Mawwud) in 'Rushdenese' or 'Ruzdin'. The conversations Ada had were always down to earth and often included something her husband had said, "Nee sez". And Lily had the gift of speaking Reg's words 'like a native'! Ada's utterances usually contained some wry humour and Lily could convey all this in her talks. They were certainly entertaining and until she had to retire from the stage (so to speak) she was in great demand and we shall all miss her. 'Air symthy guzart twere fammly.'

My mother, Lily Hawes, died recently aged 97. The funeral was held last week in Rushden Hall, which seemed very fitting for Mum. She was very well known locally as an entertainer, and I have copied a section from my eulogy below to explain this: Mum was always interested in Rushden history, belonged to the Historical Society, and loved HE Bates writing (she was actually a distant relative.) She was a living repository of local history before and during the war and a brilliant raconteur of Rushden life. Some of you may remember "Air Ada" the Evening Telegraph cartoon and conversation snippets in local dialect written by Reg Norman. Mum did a star turn as Air Ada, performing Reg's monologues and adding some of her own. She would have her audience in stitches, and we found many press cuttings and moving thank you notes from the organisations she performed and raised funds for when we cleared her house. She became known as an expert in Rushden dialect, gave talks about it, and was interviewed more than once on Radio Northampton. She did a great double act with Eric Fowell from the History Society, with Eric's Old Rushden slides and Mum's "Air Ada" stories. When Mum was over 90, very disabled and with a failing memory, she came to stay with me in Cornwall. We went to lunch with a friend of mine, and during the conversation Mum launched into one of her monologues, one I hadn't heard before. My friend was rocking with laughter. "You really should record this" she said, and I so wish I had, because I would be playing it you now as the best possible tribute to Mum. Sheila Hutchins (Lily's daughter)

Lily was a member of the cast for several productions by RADS.