Walter Woodhead

Research by Maretta Fawcett and Jacqueline                                                                     Arundel
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Walter Woodhead was a local artist and when he died in 1946 he bequeathed many of his own pictures to the Collection.  Lytham St Annes Borough Council records of 30 September 1946 do not indicate how many there were but current records shown 23 pictures, both oils and watercolours, plus a sketchbook containing 34 drawings, acc.no. 266.

Woodhead was born on 23 April 1866 in Bradford, Yorkshire.  His father Thomas Woodhead, born 1830, was the High Bailiff, Bradford County Court and his mother was Elizabeth Reid Lunn, born 1842,  They married in 1865 in Wakefield and Walter was the eldest of 10 children.  They lived at Wells Road, Ilkley with two servants.  In 1891 Walter lived in Wharfedale, Yorkshire and at some stage in the  following years he was known to have worked as a book illustrator in Ilkley. 

​After his father's death Walter, then aged 44, moved to Lytham with his mother and two sisters.  Walter was a divinity student, with private means, living at 35 Oxford Road, St Annes on Sea, later living in Bromley Road and Albany Road.  Woodhead, along with Walter Eastwood (1867-1943) and Harold Partington (1852-1928) was a founder member of the Lytham St Annes Art Society.  He was also a well-respected member of St Annes Parish Church.  His grave is located in a prominent position close to the main door of the church.

Fiona Wilson, a local church historian, explains:

'Walter Woodhead became a sidesman in April 1916 to assist the church wardens in handing out service books and tidying the church etc. He became a Church Warden in 1924 and was 'Peoples Warden', which means he was elected by the parishioners.  At the time he also became a member of the Parochial Church Council. He remained in office as Warden for only one year, retiring in 1925.'

The Church Magazine of May 1925 contains an article written by the vicar:

'I am sure you will share with me regrets that Mr Woodhead did not see his way to continue in office as Peoples Warden for another year. He has filled the office with much credit and to the satisfaction of the congregation. He has served during a very busy year and I wish to thank him for his loyal devotion to the Church.'

Walter died on the 3 August 1946 and the Parish Magazines of August and September 1946 record his burial on 7 August 1946 and his bequest to the church:

Walter Woodhead's grave in St Annes Parish Church graveyard

'The Late Mr Walter Woodhead    It is with gratitude that we have to record that he has bequeathed in his Will (a) £2000 for the Parish Church Clergy Endowment Fund and (b) £1000 for St Margaret's Clergy Endowment Fund.  These legacies are most generous and will indeed greatly help our parochial finance where it is at present most needed.'

In 1946 £3000 would equate to £90,000 today (written in 2015).

Works by Walter Woodhead in the
​Lytham Art Collection

1     Acc No    85  Farm Cottage
2     Acc No  113  Landscape and River Scene
3     Acc No  140  Greba Castle, Isle of Man
4     Acc No      ?  Bolton Abbey
5     Acc No  253  St Annes-on-the-Sea 1913
6     Acc No    86  Cottage on Sandhills
7     Acc No  134  Rocky Coast Scene (chalk pastel)
8     Acc No  144  In the Orchard
9     Acc No  127  Fylde Bridge at Ballam 1910
10   Acc No  142  Roses
11    Acc No  117  Landscape and Mountain Stream,
                                A Yorkshire Dale (oil)
12    Acc No    96  Fylde Landscape (oil)
13    Acc No    84  St Annes Parish Church
14    Acc No   143  Scene in Switzerland
15    Acc No   256  Still Life with Sweet Pea and Lilac                                                                                 (oil)
16    Acc No   159  On the Moor, Ilkley
17    Acc No   138  The Harbour, Brixham, Devon 1932


Missing Images
Acc No   116  Mountain Torrent
Acc No   130  Big Trees by River
Acc No   136  The Harbour, Brixham, Devon  1930
Acc No   141  Furness Abbey (pencil drawing)
Acc No    266  sketch book (34 pages)