GEOFFREY SHRYHANE - Introducing you to Sadie Speight

Today, I’m going to tell you about an amazing local lady who achieved fame but who has been lost in the heavy mists of time.

Her name was Sadie Speight and she was born at 25 Church Street, Standish – now Sam’s Chop House.

This lady has come to light during research for his latest book on the centenary of the iconic Alvis car by expert local author David Culshaw.

Looking into “interesting Alvis car owners”, David, of Whiteside Avenue, Hindley, soon found names including the abdicating King Edward VIII and J G Haigh, the acid bath murderer.

Then up popped the name of Sadie Speight from Standish, a British architect, writer and designer who made a true mark in her fields.

She was a founder member of the Design Research Unit and undertook several projects alongside her husband Sir Leslie Martin. Both were highly praised nationally.

Born in 1906, Sadie Speight (also known as Lady Martin), and her husband were friends with the rich and important, including the artist Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth,

David Culshaw had made a great name for himself, penning books on the Alvis and has rare access to the iconic Alvis archive.

He has been obsessed with the Alvis Marque from the age of 16, and has written numerous well-received books.

His latest book, Alvis - A Century of Drivers, is due to be published in the new year.