Hazel Dolling

Infobox Person
name =Hazel Dolling
birth_date =birth date|1923|6|13
death_date =death date and age|2006|4|24|1923|6|13
nationality =British
alma_mater =School of St Mary and St Anne, Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire
title=Lady
religion=Presbyterian
spouse=Harry Dolling (1970–1986)

Hazel Dolling (June 13 1923–April 24 2006 [cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/lastword_09june2006.shtml|title=BBC - Radio 4 - Last Word|date=2006-06-09|accessdate=2008-05-17|publisher="BBC Radio 4"] ) was the châtelaine of Lissan House, a stately home near Cookstown, Northern Ireland. She was the last surviving member of the Staples family.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4791659.stm|title=Grand plans to restore stately home|publisher="BBC News"|accessdate=2008-05-17]

Life

Hazel Marion Staples was born on June 13 1923. Her father was Sir Robert Staples, 13th Baronet. She was taught at the School of St Mary and St Anne, Staffordshire, England. She then worked as an air radio mechanic during World War II and was a third officer in the Women's Royal Naval Service.

Afterwards she worked as an assistant purser on the Southampton-New York route of the Cunard Line ship, the "RMS Mauretania" Later, she owned a travel agency in Liverpool. After selling it, she moved to London. In 1970 her father died, and she married his agent Harry Dolling,cite web|url=http://www.staples-lissanhousecookstown.org.uk|title=Staples Lissan House|accessdate=2008-05-17] who was 30 years older than her. He was also her cousin. They then moved to Lissan House to live with Hazel's mother. Harry Dolling died in 1986 and Mrs Dolling lived the rest of her life alone at Lissan. She lived there without electricity, excluding that which was generated by the water wheel at her house; she had to use a gas canister to cook food. When she went driving down her 1 mile-long avenue she always kept a chainsaw in her car boot in case the avenue was blocked by any trees that had fallen.cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/migration/hazel-dolling-130391.html|title=Hazel Dolling|date=2006-05-21|accessdate=2008-05-17|publisher="Irish Independent"] She once attempted to create a bank account, and was told to bring an electricity bill for identity purposes. She replied "but I have never had an electricity bill."

Restoration

In 2003, Hazel Dolling's home, Lissan House was a candidate in the BBC 2 television show, "Restoration". The prize was a £3,000,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the winning building for use by the public. Instead of a celebrity making the case for the funding, she decided to try to persuade viewers to choose her home as the grant-winner. The "Irish Independent" described Mrs Dolling as a "natural television performer". Lissan House reached the final, but was defeated by the Victoria Baths in Manchester.

Death and legacy

Hazel Dolling died on April 24 2006 after suffering from cancer for a long time. Before her death she donated her home, Lissan House, to a charitable trust, The Friends of Lissan House, which was founded on 5 August 1997. The trust has received a £45,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund; it is believed that the restoration work will cost £5,000,000.cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/restoration/2003/|title=Restoration - Series 1|accessdate=2008-05-17|publisher=BBC] In August 2006 it was revealed that there are plans for "tourist, community and heritage facilities" and possibly a hotel at the site.

References