WEB PAGE NO.2796 26th JUNE 2021 1ST PICTURE: Ena Sharples 1971

2nd PICTURE Minnie Martha and Ena in the Snug

3RD PICTURE Her last appearance

4TH PICTURE The Glad Tidings Mission Hall

Ena Sharples One programme, in the early days, that my mother and grandmother would never miss was Coronation Street just to see what Ena Sharples was gossiping about this week. Ena Sharples (née Schofield) was played by Violet Carson. She appeared in the first-ever episode, broadcast on 9th December 1960, and stayed with the show until 2nd April 1980. Ena was the widowed caretaker of the Glad Tidings Mission Hall and spent much of her time criticising the activities and loose morals of the street's residents. One of the main characters during the 1960s, she was featured less regularly in the 1970s due to the declining health of Violet Carson, and was written out in 1980. Always wearing a double breasted overcoat and hairnet, she spent much of her time with her two cronies, Martha Longhurst and Minnie Caldwell, in the snug bar of The Rovers Return drinking milk stout. Ena particularly criticised Elsie Tanner whom she believed had loose morals. In turn, Elsie strongly disliked Ena for her seemingly incessant gossip and desire to know about the private lives of others; and the two confronted each other frequently. The final episode featuring Ena was broadcast on 2nd April 1980. It attracted little media or public attention, as the producers intended her to continue in the serial – the character was merely going to stay with a friend in St Annes while her flat was being renovated. Unfortunately, all subsequent storylines involving Ena had to be scrapped owing to Violet Carson being too ill to appear. She died on Boxing Day 1983 at the age of 85, thus putting to rest any rumours of Ena's return. Following her departure in 1980 no further mention of Ena was made, and it was assumed she had moved to St Annes permanently. The back story is this:- Ena Schofield was born in Weatherfield on 24th November 1899. She had two elder siblings, Alice Raynold (née Schofield) (1885–1965) and Tom Schofield (d.1973). During her school days Ena met Martha Hartley and Minnie Carlton establishing lifelong friendships. A student with a strong Christian upbringing, Ena became devoted to her religion and developed a firm belief in the importance of rules, regulations and morals. She also quickly learned to be self-sufficient, taking on factory work when she was 11. In 1915, Ena became engaged to Phil Moss, he enlisted for military service in the Great War and was killed. Around 1917, Ena met Alfred Sharples, who had been sent home because of a leg injury. Ena was upset to learn he was already married, and broke with him. When the war ended Alfred and Ena met up again and he told her that his marriage had been in name only – he'd had to marry the daughter of someone his father had owed money to. Alfred informed Ena that his wife had recently died, so Ena decided to give him another chance. Ena married Alfred in 1920 and they had three children: Vera, Madge and Ian. Ian died after only two days and Alfred died in 1937 during the Depression, leaving Ena a widow with two children. As Vera and Madge grew up Ena alienated them through her judgemental and frequently interfering nature. Madge and her mother became almost completely estranged after Madge emigrated in 1950. In 1960, Ena was in conflict with the Mission's new lay preacher Leonard Swindley who objected to her frequenting the Rovers. Ena collapsed due to the stress, but walked out of hospital to return to her post so that Martha Longhurst who had taken on her responsibilities while she recovered, could not steal her job. In 1961, Ena was sacked for spreading a rumour that Coronation Street was being demolished, which turned out to be untrue. Mr. Swindley was forced to re-hire her when a suitable replacement could not be found (Ena had bribed the other candidates to turn the job down). Still unhappy with the working conditions Ena walked out of the job later in the year and moved in with Minnie Caldwell . She was eventually offered her job back. Ena had a health scare in 1962 when she suffered a minor stroke, she quickly regained her speech and mobility, but the following year was diagnosed with arteriosclerosis. Despite her willingness to gossip Ena was very guarded about her private life, and berated Martha for discussing her health problems with Ena's daughter, Vera. Ena's great nephew visited and invited her to her brother's home in the US for an extended stay. Ena jumped at the chance to meet the family she never knew she had. Upon her return, Ena was horrified to see the Mission converted into a Community Centre with a social worker employed there full-time. She quit upon hearing the news and moved in with Minnie. Despite being out of work a disoriented Ena was caught accidentally stealing from a supermarket. In court Ena pleaded not guilty, but refused to give her age when questioned, saying only that she was over 21. She was subsequently fined 40/-. When the Community Centre at the Mission closed down, Ena moved back into the vestry. Ena’s daughter was ill for several weeks until she died in Ena's bed in January 1967. The Mission was closed permanently a year later, when it was demolished along with the factory to make way for a block of two-storey maisonettes. Ena was offered a place at an old people's nursing home, which she unsurprisingly declined, nevertheless when the maisonettes were built Ena moved into No.6, a purpose-built OAP ground floor flat. Ena was pleased, as it occupied the exact spot where the vestry had been. In 1969, Ena became bored with the maisonette and moved into a flat over the camera shop. With Glad Tidings gone, the closest place of worship was the Victoria Street Mission, and Ena kept close tabs on the comings and goings there. When the maisonettes were demolished in 1971, one of the buildings which replaced them was a community centre. Despite her age, Ena was determined to secure the position of caretaker, and scared off her competitor by warning her about the violence in the area. With no-one else to take the job, Ena was selected for the job and she moved into a flat adjacent to the Centre. Ena's age and ability to do the work was a constant concern to the Council. A co-caretaker was foisted on her though she insisted on being called Senior Caretaker. In 1973, Ena suffered two heart attacks, but refused to move away as she wanted to die in the street. When she disappeared with the Centre keys at Christmas, preventing the children from getting any presents, Ena assumed she'd be sacked; she left to stay in St. Annes, however she was allowed to keep her job. Martha had died in 1964 and Minnie left in 1976 Angered by the lack of progress in the redecoration of her flat that prevented her from moving back into her home, Ena left to stay in St. Annes, unsure about whether or not to return to Coronation Street. Ena was never seen in Weatherfield again, and all subsequent references to her were in the past tense You Write STAY IN TOUCH PETER gsseditor@gmail.com