Born in Otley, as a young girl, Elizabeth attended the consecration of the Navvies Memorial led by her father Reverend Joshua Hart, Vicar of All Saints Church. The memorial commemorates those men who, between 1845-1849, had lost their lives whilst building the Bramhope Tunnel, crucial infrastructure on the Leeds – Thirsk railway line. Elizabeth seemed deeply affected by this and would have been aware that navvies were still working in the area, not only digging out a route for the railway, but also the reservoirs.
Apart from their work, navvies had a hard life. They were itinerant workers, often living in camps with their families alongside their workplaces, treated with suspicion, ignored by the church and state. Elizabeth set up schools and Bible classes, worked to improve sanitation and offered comfort and support. She even lived on site by the Lindley reservoir, devoting herself to the navvies’ welfare, advocating for them in order to change the indifference – she called it a ‘Holy Discontent’ – and bring about improvements to their lives.
In 1877 she was instrumental in setting up the Navvy Mission Society to offer spiritual and practical support. She also wrote books and articles which described the lives of the navvies, helping to change public opinion of them. Navvies worked across the country and the Society grew, joining with other reform movements and becoming part of the Industrial Christian Fellowship.
At the unveiling on 10 October, Leeds Civic Trust Director Martin Hamilton welcomed everyone and introduced the speakers. We are indebted to Anthony Walker, who nominated Elizabeth Garnett for the plaque. His interest was prompted through his work as a chartered surveyor. His dogged research, despite scant records, revealed to us this pioneering, caring, determined woman. Reverend Bill Mash spoke about the Industrial Christian Fellowship (ICF), still active after 148 years, originating from the Excavators Union, becoming the Navvies Mission, then widening to the ICF – a wonderful legacy!
It was fitting that Yorkshire Water were approached to be sponsor, and readily agreed. Sarah Robinson spoke for the company, acknowledging that at a time of no Health & Safety laws or workers’ rights, the navvies built the area’s reservoirs to supply water to the people of Leeds, and that their work still holds up those reservoirs. Elizabeth Garnett blazed a trail in helping those people to achieve some respect. Local MP Katie White thanked everyone who had contributed to the event and acknowledged the heritage and history in and around Otley. Elizabeth Garnett’s story is inspiring as she fought for workers’ rights and injustices, causes which resonate today.
This is the Trust’s 205th Plaque and it was unveiled in the beautiful Parish Church of All Saints by Otley’s Mayor Cllr Paul Carter, Anthony Walker and Katie White MP. It is sited in the churchyard adjacent to the striking Grade 2-listed Navvies Memorial. The wording reads:
‘Elizabeth Garnett
Born in Otley, she co-founded the Navvy Mission Society. It sought to improve the lives of Navvies and their families by providing spiritual guidance and education. Their work on Bramhope Tunnel is commemorated by the Navvies Memorial. Her advocacy transformed conditions for labourers who carried out major civil engineering projects.
1839-1921′
Although largely forgotten locally, Elizabeth has an effusive marble memorial in Ripon Cathedral, likely as a result of her family’s ecclesiastical connections.
