Achi news desk-
A new exhibition has been held at Northumbria University to celebrate the life of a multiple world snooker and billiards champion and one of the most inspirational sportswomen of her generation.
Vera Selby MBE was a trailblazer in many ways – as a trailblazing sportswoman, equality campaigner, art educator and textile artist. She continued to play competitively into her 80s and died on her birthday in March 2023, aged 93.
Born in North Yorkshire, she studied art and design in Leeds, and began her teaching career in schools and art colleges across the city of Newcastle. In 1972, Vera joined Northumbria University – then Newcastle Polytechnic – where she worked as a senior lecturer in art and textiles and then as Head of Art Education, until her retirement in 1983.
Her passion for creating unique textile and mixed media art from recycled and repurposed items used in Vera’s daily life led her to conduct outreach and training activities for teachers across the region and beyond.
Vera’s passion for billiards and snooker played a huge part in her life. She was introduced to billiards as a child and picked it up again in the 1960s when she honed her skills at the toughest school of Newcastle workingmen’s clubs.
It wasn’t long before Alf Nolan, former British amateur snooker and billiards champion, noticed her, and offered to train her.
Between 1970 and 1978, Vera won eight World Women’s billiards Championships. The first Women’s World Open Snooker Championship was held in 1976 and Vera won the title, before repeating the feat in 1981. In the same year she was named Newcastle Sports Personality of the Year. Through it all, she was perfectly dressed in trousers and waistcoats that she had made herself.
She went on to command respect as a professional snooker referee and was appointed chairman of the North East Snooker and Billiards Association. In 1982.
A pioneering figure in women’s cue sports, Vera received an MBE in 2015 for services to snooker and billiards.
Anne Parker, Vera’s friend of 30 years who has gone on to act as executor of her will, said: “Through the mediums of art and sport, Vera has helped break down barriers and broaden horizons. It is important to create a suitable legacy for a pioneer of women’s sport, a champion of creativity and a forerunner of recycling. A good example of how we should be living today.”
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The exhibition, which is being held in the Northumbria School of Design building, features trophies from Vera’s sporting achievements displayed alongside stories of her achievements, vests she made and competed in, wall art mounted and scores of carefully preserved teaching materials she devised throughout her career.
The exhibition Vera Selby, MBE (1930-2023): The Life of a Champion: Pioneering Sportswoman, Equality Campaigner, Art Educator and Textile Artist, will remain open to the public until Friday, April 26 at Northumbria University, School of Design , East City Campus. Normal opening hours are between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
More than 120 items from the exhibition are part of an auction which will run until Tuesday (April 23). For more information, visit the online auction site: https://app.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/vera-selby-mbe-auction–40054
