Romany gypsy who was devoted to her family dies - Rochdale

A Romany gypsy whose life was celebrated at Touchstones has passed away.

Ada Herring died at the age of 89 last week after a period of illness. Born at the old Clegg’s Yard off Union Street, at Town Head, Ada lived the traditional travelling lifestyle, spending some years in Ireland and others around England, but settling in Wren Green, Newbold, for the final years of her life. As a child she lived in a tent held up by rods from a willow tree, her father working as a horse dealer and hawker around Rochdale.

She was baptised at St James’ Church and moved to Dublin at the age of five, where she grew up. Ada married husband Oldy aged 16 and the couple returned to England after the Second World War to raise their children. They raised Nuckey, Truvel, My Heather and Oldy, and went on to have 20 grandchildren and more than 20 great-grandchildren.

Ada was a keen seamstress and would sell, or ‘hawk’, pegs, charms and lace in streets around Rochdale. She would also tell fortunes. In 2010 the Mayor of Rochdale, then Coun Zulfiqar Ali, opened an exhibition at Touchstones celebrating her life and Romany heritage. It is still in place today and describes Ada’s experiences of growing up and working within the Romany community. She was thought to be one of the oldest Romany Gypsies in the area.

Many of Ada’s family members continue to live the Gypsy lifestyle while a small number have settled in Rochdale. They say Ada never wanted to give up the traditional way of life but settled in Newbold in her old age. In tribute, they said: "She was a very kind woman and it was all about the family for her. She was very popular and well known all over Rochdale. "She would never hurt a fly or do anything to con anyone and was the nicest person you could meet." Ada’s funeral takes place on Monday, at 1.30pm at Rochdale Cemetery.