Anela Torbai (Old Anna)
Anna's real name was Anela Torbai. She was 76 years old when she died. She was born in Russia. After her death lots of people sent in contributions for flowers for her funeral. A greengrocer called Richard Ramsden collected the money for her funeral. Just a week before her death he organised a petition to let Anna stay in the market where she lived because she had been there for years. She had never harmed anyone so why should she be moved? Richard Ramsden knew Anna since boyhood, for about 40 years. He met her at St. Patricks Roman Catholic Church in Westgate. "I think she was Polish and came over to England as a refugee after being held in a concentration camp", he said, "for a while she worked in West Bowling in a mill and then worked with someone called Burma Johnny. He was a swag man in the market. He wore a top hat with £5 and £1 notes in the hat band. Anna collected money from the punters. Anna has lived at the market and Morrisons since 1969. Traders have given her money and food." Anna was a victim of the Nazi Holocaust and had undergone terrible experiments. After her death a special memorial seat for old and homeless people was placed in John Street Market where she spent so many hours. She was a very colouful, local character.
Researched by Sally Neilson