Canny spinster who dabbled in shares leaves church £1/2m
SHE was a church-going spinster who had worked as a secretary.
But behind that ordinary facade, she was also a secret stock market whizz who was amassing a small fortune dealing in shares from her front room.
While the congregation at her church affectionately referred to Betty Selman as the Queen Mum because of her penchant for extravagant hats, they had no idea she had such a thriving bank account till she bequeathed the church almost £500,000.
Long before the internet, Miss Selman would quietly scour newspapers to study the financial markets before astutely making her moves.
Despite her increasingly frail health, Miss Selman never failed to attend Sunday service at St Paul’s church in the village where she was born, Monk Bretton, near Barnsley – despite moving to Sandal, Wakefield, in her 30s.
Betty watched the millennium break on a cruise around Australia and flew in a microlight over Victoria Falls in Africa.
But after she passed away at the age of 86, parishioners were astonished to read in the village newsletter that she had left £469,911.92 in her will to St Paul’s church.
Close friend Charlie Wraith, a former Mayor of Barnsley, said: “She was a wonderful, marvellous woman, one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. Betty reminded me of the Queen Mother. She had a very particular way of talking, everything had to be just right.
“Even after she moved away, Monk Bretton remained her spiritual home.
“She travelled down every Sunday and loved it here. She was a deeply spiritual person.
“She never married but remained devoted to her mother until she passed away. Betty then discovered a love of worldwide travel. She watched the millennium break on a cruise around Australia and flew in a microlight over Victoria Falls in Africa.
“When you were invited round for tea it was always the proper stuff served from a silver tea service, everything laid out precisely. Her gin and tonics were always properly made.”
But she kept her plans to donate money to the church close to her chest. “I knew and I think the priest at the time had an inkling,” he said.
“She didn’t want it becoming public knowledge because she had specific plans for the money and didn’t want everyone else coming up with suggestions. Knowing Betty, the provisions will have been very specific.
“Whatever the money is spent on, I will do my utmost to ensure there is a memorial to her installed as a tribute to her dedication and service.
“She spent the last few years in a care home in Wakefield and it was very sad to see a lady like her fade away.”
