A strong character with a gentle nature is how many will remember Daleswoman Hannah Hauxwell, who has died at the age of 91.

Miss Hauxwell first became known in 1970 when she featured in a newspaper article titled ‘How to be happy on £170 a year’. 

Miss Hauxwell, seen single-handedly managing the remote Low Birk Hat Farm at the top of Baldersdale and living without electricity and running water, became the centre of national attention. 

She had grown up on the farm, but by the age of 34 both her parents and her uncle, who had moved in to help, had died and she was left to cope alone.

She was a guest at a Buckingham Palace garden party to honour the Queen Mother and was surprised when a London book-signing turned into her episode of the biographical show This is Your Life.

In stark contrast to her own old-fashioned way of life, news of her passing led to an outpouring of tributes on social media.

Among them Carol Storey, who also knew of her because of her television appearances and books, wrote: “Remarkable lady, with a heart of gold. You will be sadly missed Hannah.” 

“The meadow is her legacy.”