Hilda Catherine Mary Balleine
Hilda Catherine
Mary Balleine
Educated in Jersey, Hilda Balleine became an author
Younger daughter of George Orange Balleine, Dean, and Florence Gardner, Hilda Balleine was born at Bletchington, Oxfordshire, on 24 March 1878. Educated at the Jersey High School for Girls, she started her career by writing short magazine articles, and as a member of the Quill Club became conductor of one of their groups. The Quill, their magazine, said at her death:
- "Those who knew her are missing her discerning and helpful criticism. During her conductorship she helped struggling beginners and the more talented, if desponding, writers alike".
At her death in Birmingham on 25 September 1921, she left two full-length novels of Jersey life ready for the press. Both were published by Methuen, Fig Blossom in 1922 and Rose and Laurel in 1925. The first was given in The Times a long and eulogistic review, while the Yorkshire Post said of it:
- "Like a breath of spring wind, heavily laden with the scent of gorse and violets, comes Miss Balleine's book to convince us that out of the winter of sordid realism, of poverty stricken plot, of weariness of repetition, life and vigour can be renewed".
The second is a study of the bitter political feuds in Jersey in the early 19th century.
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