A tribute to much-travelled Hilda - an Oldham girl who went on to make a considerable mark in her beloved Canada

As a schoolgirl in 1930s’ Oldham, Hilda Bardsley picked Canada as her destination for an essay about an imaginary journey.

It proved to be a life-changing choice, as it became her adopted home – one that honoured her with several awards for her contributions to the country’s culture ­– and now has become her final resting place, after she died there earlier this month, at the age of 93.

Hilda was born in 1928, above the Shepherds Boy pub on Huddersfield Road, where her father was the licensee.

Her only sister Vera, five years her junior, died from meningitis at the age of six, just before the Second World War.

By then her parents had moved to manage the Britannia Tavern on Hollins Road.

After finishing high school, Hilda went to teacher training college in Ripon, along with fellow high school pupil Mil Inman, who was to become a lifelong friend.

Just after the war the pair ventured forth on a cycling holiday, from Oldham to North Wales. 

But in 1950 Hilda finally satisfied her childhood ambition and made her first visit to Canada.

She returned there 10 years later and with a Professional First-class Certificate, became a teacher in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

There she met fellow teacher Jim Cliffe and they were married in 1962.

Although they were divorced 15 years later, they remained lifelong friends. 

Away from teaching she became involved in the theatre world, did some acting and worked behind the scenes. 

In 1963, the couple moved to British Columbia while Jim was teaching in Langley.

Hilda became a Canadian citizen in 1974 and before she retired she was principal of the Montessori School in Surrey.

Hilda played piano and directed choirs, was president of The Vagabond Players, the Massey Theatre, as well as President of the Arts Council of New Westminster from 1991 to 2001.

The city honoured her with the Bernie Legge Cultural Award.

For her commitment to the Arts in her community she also received The Queens Golden Jubilee Medal, and the BC Governor General Award.

She was described as a champion of the arts and an inspiration to her community.

She also supported many other organizations with her time and donations.

Every year the Arts Council of New Westminster awards two bursaries through the Hilda Cliffe Scholarship Program. 

These support students furthering their studies in the Arts.

The girl whose classrooms dreams of Canada came true had, meanwhile, also found time to visit Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America.

She rode camels in Egypt, elephants in India, and flew in a hot air balloon.

Regular trips to the UK and Europe kept her in touch with friends and family, and on her last visit to Oldham, in 2010, she enjoyed a drink back at the Britannia. 

A celebration of her life will be held on June 12 at 2pm by Zoom or in person depending on Covid regulations.

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