Mrs Etchells was a committee member of the Ladies' Licenced Victualler's Association in February 1971. Its President, Ella Brough, had been asked by Newton & Ridley to open a new motel they had built near the M6 but she had to pull out of the engagement for unspecified reasons. She delegated the task of finding a replacement to her two Vice-Presidents, Annie Walker and Nellie Harvey, and although the two would never admit it to one another, they were each fiercely ambitious for the honour. They contacted the other committee members, Mrs Etchells, Mrs Jennings, Hagen and Fearnley, to offer them the task but cited downsides to it that they knew full well would deter them, such as the costs involved or having to make a speech. All naturally declined and Nellie "reluctantly" decided she would