Today's Object(s) of the Week is a collection dedicated to the life's work of a pioneering North East sportswoman equality campaigner, art educator and textile artist.

A new exhibition has been staged at Northumbria University to celebrate the life of a multiple snooker and billiards world champion and one of the most inspirational sportswomen of her generation.

Vera Selby MBE was a trailblazer in many ways - as a pioneering sportswoman, equality campaigner, art educator and textile artist. She continued to play competitively into her 80s and died on her birthday in March 2023, aged 93.

The Northern Echo: multiple snooker and billiards world champion Vera Selby is bing highlighted in an exhibition at

Born in North Yorkshire, she studied art and design in Leeds, and began her teaching career in schools and art colleges across the city of Newcastle. In 1972, Vera joined Northumbria University - then Newcastle Polytechnic - where she worked as a senior art and textile lecturer and then as Head of Art Education, until her retirement in 1983.

Her passion for creating unique textile and mixed media art from recycled and repurposed items used in day-to-day life led Vera to run outreach and training activities for teachers across the region and beyond.

The Northern Echo: Professor Anne Peirson-Smith and Diane Greaves discuss the educational book 'Creative Textiles' written by Vera SelbyProfessor Anne Peirson-Smith and Diane Greaves discuss the educational book 'Creative Textiles' written by Vera Selby (Image: NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY)

Vera’s passion for billiards and snooker played a huge part in her life. She was introduced to billiards as a child and picked it up again in the 1960s when she honed her skills in the toughest school of Newcastle’s working men’s clubs.

It wasn’t long before she was noticed by Alf Nolan, the former British amateur billiards and snooker champion, who offered to coach her.

Between 1970 and 1978, Vera won eight World Women’s Billiards Championships. The first Women’s World Open Championship in snooker was held in 1976 and Vera won the title, before repeating the feat in 1981. In the same year she was named Newcastle’s Sports Personality of the Year. Throughout it all, she was immaculately dressed in trousers and waistcoats she’d made herself.

The Northern Echo: Diane Greaves admires an outfit made by Vera, one of the many items on display at the exhibitionDiane Greaves admires an outfit made by Vera, one of the many items on display at the exhibition (Image: NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY)

She went on to command respect as a professional snooker referee and was appointed chairwoman of the North East Billiards and Snooker Association. In 1982.

A pioneering figure in women's cue sports, Vera received an MBE in 2015 for her services to snooker and billiards.

Anne Parker, Vera’s friend of 30 years who has gone on to act as the executor of her will, said: “Through the mediums of art and sport, Vera has helped to both break down barriers and expand horizons. It is important to create a fitting legacy for a pioneer of women's sport, champion of creativity and forerunner of recycling. A fine example of how we should be living today.”

The Northern Echo: Waistcoats Vera made and competed in and mounted wall art are aong the items on displayWaistcoats Vera made and competed in and mounted wall art are aong the items on display (Image: NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY)

Read about previous Objects of the Week:

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The exhibition, staged in Northumbria’s School of Design building, includes trophies from Vera’s sporting successes displayed alongside stories of her achievements, waistcoats she made and competed in, mounted wall art and scores of carefully preserved teaching materials she devised throughout her career.

The exhibition Vera Selby, MBE (1930-2023): A Champion's Life: Pioneering Sportswoman, Equality Campaigner, Art Educator and Textile Artist, will remain open to the public until Friday, April 26 at Northumbria University, School of Design, City Campus East. Usual opening hours are between 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

More than 120 items from the exhibition are involved in an auction which will run until Tuesday (April 23). For more information, visit the auction site online: https://app.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/vera-selby-mbe-auction--40054

The Northern Echo: Trophies from Vera’s sporting successes are displayed in the exhibitionTrophies from Vera’s sporting successes are displayed in the exhibition (Image: NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY)