Women have always been workers, have always been leaders, and have always balanced work and family. Torquay’s pioneering women were essential to the developing town. They were companions to their husbands, and some were entrepreneurs as widows.
Keep an eye out for the March edition of History Matters, which has the story of Anna Rosina Follett (nee Baensch), partner and leader of the Torquay Palace Hotel. Today’s Torquay Pub stands on the same corner over 130 years later, albeit in a different frame after the 1970s fire. Nevertheless, it still provides locals and visitors accommodation, meals and refreshments.