Dorothy Payne (1926–2014)

Dorothy Payne was one of the longest-standing and most active members of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society, having joined in the 1960s, and volunteered to help the then Librarian and Archivist, Miss Amy Foster, in the library. This marked the start of more than forty years’ unstinting service to the Society in various capacities, all characterised by a lively and infectious enthusiasm.

Dorothy Parker was born in Idle, and an early interest in archaeology was sparked when, on a family holiday in the Lake District, she found a piece of pottery at Hardknott Fort. At the age of fourteen she went to work as a tracer at English Electric, where she met her first husband, Harold Bowes, who was a member of the Roman Section of the YAS. Dorothy and Harold took part in excavations at York and at Corbridge, where Dorothy met and became friendly with many of the well-known archaeologists working there.

Dorothy’s marriage to Harold Bowes ended in divorce, but in the mid-1960s, at a WEA class, she met Brian Payne who, though never a ‘digger’, had a deep interest in archaeology. After their marriage, Brian and Dorothy were regular visitors to Hadrian’s Wall, and kept up their archaeological contacts. Brian and Dorothy were ideally suited, he as a quiet and scholarly man who relished his home and his books, she as an outgoing and sociable person who loved to be hospitable. Brian introduced Dorothy to the Royal Archaeological Institute, and she used to maintain that the Institute’s summer meeting in Leeds in 1968 converted her from a Roman to a Victorian, an interest which led her to become one of the founder members of the Yorkshire branch of the Victorian Society.

Dorothy first volunteered to help the YAS when its headquarters were still at Park Place in Leeds. She and Brian were very fond of the building there, and initially opposed the move to Claremont which took place in 1968. However, Dorothy was one of the small band of people who helped the new Librarian and Archivist, David Michelmore, move the contents of the library and the archives, sitting in the back of a hired van, holding on to the doors to make sure they would not fly open and spill the books into the road. She was appointed an Honorary Assistant Librarian in 1968. Her initial lack of enthusiasm for Claremont soon changed when she began to look into the history of the house, and discovered the biography of its nineteenth-century owner, Dr John Deakin Heaton, by Thomas Wemyss Reid. From Wemyss Reid she learned that Dr Heaton had kept detailed journals of his life at Claremont, and she determined to track them down. This, by dint of tireless persistence, persuasiveness and luck, she duly did, with the result that Dr Heaton’s diaries and letters were presented to her and Brian, and she in turn presented them to the Society in 2009.

In 1969 Dorothy became the first Hon. Secretary of the newly-formed YAS Medieval Section, and from 1973 to 1976 she took on the role of Hon. Lectures Secretary for the Society, drawing on her many contacts in the world of archaeology, architecture and history to provide a rich and varied programme with speakers of national renown. She also delighted in ensuring that each speaker was entertained to a sociable tea prepared by her at Claremont before the lecture.

Dorothy was always keen to promote the Society, and was ready to use her considerable talents and training as a draughtswoman in its service. She drew up the final version of the map of Yorkshire parishes which was available for sale for many years. She also worked with the staff to produce exhibitions of material from the library and archives. The activities surrounding the successful Wakefield Court Rolls Conservation Appeal in 1990 could not have taken place without her energetic participation.

Dorothy served on the YAS Council for many years, and her contribution to the Society was recognised in 1983, when she was made an honorary life member. In recent years ill-health prevented her from visiting Claremont as she had in the past, although she was very fortunate in having the support of devoted friends who ensured that she was well cared for in her latter years.

Those of us who knew her well will always remember her with enormous fondness for her kindness, energy and generosity, for her willingness to share her deep knowledge of all sorts of subjects, and for her ‘hands on’ approach. The YAS owes her a great debt of gratitude.

Sylvia Thomas

President

I am very grateful to Eileen Marshall and Lawrence Brough for sharing their recollections of Dorothy.