No, it’s not another picture of Julia, though if she’s reading this I would like to point out that the title would fit.
This is an item I saw in a collectors’ shop in Nottingham last week. It’s the badge of an ex-Lady Mayoress of Nottingham from 1951-2. The workmanship, including the enamelling, is top quality, and it really is a thing of beauty. It is also a piece of Nottingham history.
Ruth Wigman, the recipient, would probably to be the wife of Alderman George H. Wigman who was Lord Mayor at that time. I’ve tried various searches but the internet seems to be empty of information on the Wigmans. I had hoped that Wigman Road might be something to do with them, but it just seems to complicate the search.
It is made from 9 carat gold and manufactured by Vaughtons of Birmingham. It appears that it was assembled after the engraving was done, as one of the fixings has obscured part of the inscription.
One of the more notable Vaughton family members was Oliver Howard Vaughton. He played football for England and Aston Villa, won the All England Skating Championship, cycled, swam, played county cricket for Warwickshire and was a County hockey player. He’s a bit more famous than the Wigmans, though, to be fair, neither of them scored five goals in an international football match or won the FA Cup.
We have photos of William and Ruth
Do you have a site with them on, or anything?
I’m a descendant of George and still live in Nottingham I have brothers and sisters and yes he’s my great grandfather. Dad to Glynn Wigman and grandfather to my dad John yes we’re still definitely about!
That’s good to know. It’s always nice to know that families and history continues. Do you know if Wigman Road named after them?
Yes wigman Road was named after the Lord mayor
🙂
We have lots of photos when William wigman was Lord mayor
It’s good that these things are preserved in families – it’s sad when people come to sell us stuff and often don’t know who the people are or how they are related.
It is beautiful, and you did a fine job of photographing it, Quercus.
Thank you. I’m beginning to develop an eye for bits of fluff – they seem to sneak in when you are taking these close-ups. 🙂
That is some badge.
I’ve rarely sen anything quite that good.
Would Vaughtons have kept a record of who they mad stuff for?
Possibly, but I’m pretty sure they would have made it for the Corporation. I will let the eventual owner go to the local papers.
It’s sad how men like Oliver Vaughton are forgotten nowadays. England could do with somebody like him now. Today we’re lucky if a footballer can even count up to five.
Yes, there have been some amazing sports people over the years. We could do with another Lottie Dod too. 🙂
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lottie_Dod
I hope you do find out more about the Wigmans. It is always rather sad to find such personal things as medals and badges in collectors shops or for sale on-line.
I know what you mean – but from another point of view these people live again through the research we do on them.
Yes, you are right of course.
Well, let’s not get carried away. I’m sometimes right… 🙂
😀
As a married man I’m right nearly half the time…
🙂
Hehehe!
A very interesting piece of local history!
I’d love to find out more about the Wigmans but the internet is silent on the matter.
Ruth Wigman was my great-aunt. Her maiden name was Derry and she married George Henry Wigman in 1918 (Mayor of Nottingham 1951-52) and they had 6 children. I have several photographs of them during their time as mayor/mayoress. Their descendants still live in Nottingham and surrounding areas.
Amazing! Did you ever meet either of them? I’d love to know more about them if you have time to write.