In 1877 the famous actress Ellen Terry married an actor named Charles Wardell who was the fourth son for Reverend Henry Wardell, the Rector of St Paul’s Church, Winlaton.

Ellen Terry was already divorced and had two children. Ostracised by her family and society because of her divorce, on the grounds of adultery with the father of her illegitimate children. Charles Wardell bought her social recognition and the respectability that she and her children required. The Children delighted in visiting their new grandfathers home in Winlaton and their mothers past was soon forgotten. The marriage ended in 1880.

Reverend Wardell Died in 1884. By 1895 the reverend Jones had begun the restoration of the church interior, which was to cost £1200. Ellen Terry was one of the generous givers to the restoration fund. During her short marriage to the reverend Wardell she had formed a great affection for the old man and the village which had given her back her respectability, and since the late Rector’s death she had visited the church a number of times to place flowers on his grave.

In 1897 a Japanese fete was held in Winlaton, which was opened by Miss Terry who at the time was appearing at the Tyne Theatre, Newcastle. She Donated gifts to the fair from herself and the Wardell family and said that “Winlaton was very dear to her”. She died in 1928 aged 81.