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Who's your favourite battleaxe?

(35 Posts)
whenim64 Thu 14-Jun-12 07:48:19

With all credit to merlotgran, who has asked Widders a question for today's visit, do you have a favourite battleaxe?

Mine have been Janet Street Porter and Germaine Greer in the past, but both have mellowed and don't have that same 'bite' in their challenges any more. Bea Campbell likewise. Are they all going soft?

Shadylady Fri 22-Jun-12 20:13:43

I liked Nor Batty - now there was a battleaxe!

nanaej Thu 14-Jun-12 22:15:50

Gladys Emanuel.. I liked her! Open All hours district nurse

Annika Thu 14-Jun-12 18:29:43

Margaret Thatcher she is not my favourite battleaxe..... she is just a battleaxe !!!! wink

merlotgran Thu 14-Jun-12 18:26:11

Christine Hamilton.

Annika Thu 14-Jun-12 18:14:02

mickey Deirdre's mum, Blanche was great wasn't she.

Humbertbear Thu 14-Jun-12 17:44:00

I don't like the term but surely Nora Batty takes the prize?

mickey Thu 14-Jun-12 16:10:00

Julie Birchall and Deirdre's mum in Corrie (now passed away)

j04 Thu 14-Jun-12 15:25:55

Oiii !!!! grin

POGS Thu 14-Jun-12 15:22:32

I too say Betty but I did like MO Mowlem (is that correct spelling). Today's battle axes such as Harriet Harmen, the Eagles sisters etc., all lack credability. Is there a good honest battle axe today, I don't think so.

whenim64 Thu 14-Jun-12 15:20:29

grin

Ella46 Thu 14-Jun-12 15:16:11

I thought of Betty Boothroyd as well but I think my all time favourite must be JO4 grin

glammanana Thu 14-Jun-12 13:53:17

Betty Boothroyde she is a force to be reckoned with and Widders ofcourse.

soop Thu 14-Jun-12 12:31:26

The nun who taught Latin. She invited me to share the contents of an exercise book [in which I was writing a perfectly innocent love story]. Her eyebrows hit the ceiling at the close of paragraph one and she frog-marched me to Mother Superior's room for a right royal lecture. hmm

goldengirl Thu 14-Jun-12 12:17:10

My primary school headmistress when at work - but she a softie underneath off duty

dorsetpennt Thu 14-Jun-12 11:56:48

They're rare these days aren't they. Peggy Mount, Ena Sharples, Stephanie Cole and my Matron at the hospital that I did my nurse training. She was terrifying - when on the rare occasion you had to see her one -to -one used to make my heart hammer in my chest.

Ariadne Thu 14-Jun-12 11:55:09

I'm quite fond of Widders. I have met her a couple of times, and heard her speak. We have nothing in common politically, socially or religious-ly, but she is totally straight, sticks to what she believes in and doesn't suffer fools gladly.

j04 Thu 14-Jun-12 11:50:28

OK. Get real! grin

Annika Thu 14-Jun-12 11:22:40

Madge from Benidorm

Anagram Thu 14-Jun-12 11:04:30

Mildred, from George and Mildred.

whenim64 Thu 14-Jun-12 10:59:35

You have a point there, Jingle smile

j04 Thu 14-Jun-12 10:42:59

I think we're much more able to do our own battleaxe-ing these days. What with forums, facebook, e-petitions, etc. Perhaps we no longer need anyone in particular doing it for us.

AlisonMA Thu 14-Jun-12 10:26:05

Lots of historical ones here, are there any present day ones apart from the MEP and SNP? Maybe Ross Altman but she doesn't come across very battleaxey although she does seem to get her point well made.

Hunt Thu 14-Jun-12 09:37:40

How about Bessie Bradock!

whenim64 Thu 14-Jun-12 09:14:58

Ooh yes, Stephanie Cole. I think she's fab!

susiecb Thu 14-Jun-12 09:13:55

Absolutely Peggy Mount the queen of them all and my mother's role model.sad