The daughter of Arthur Sidney Lyne (1878-1949; e.m. 1902), she was a student at Newnham College, Cambridge 1927-1930, the first girl from her school, Leeds Modern, to win a Cambridge Open Award. She studied under F.R. Leavis and was a founder member of the 'Cambridge Group' out of which the 'MethSoc' movement developed and of which she was later the Vice-President. She contributed under the pen-name 'Jane' to A Group Speaks (1931). In 1932 she represented Young Methodism at the gathering in the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate Methodist Union. Before her marriage she lectured in English at Southlands College. She met her husband, Ronald Bielby, while teaching at Southampton.

She wrote a series of booklets about men and women of the faith for the Edinburgh House Press and plays on religious themes, including 'Pray for a Wind' (on John Wesley) and 'I was in Prison' (on Elizabeth Fry), and was a member of the Religious Drama Society. Her connexional activities included being National President of the Girls' League and Chairman of the Women's Fellowship (1969-70). She was on the Bench in West Yorkshire and was actively involved in the Marriage Guidance Council in its early years, bring remembered as a great enabler and encourager. She died in Huddersfield on 29 July 1979, after a long terminal illness.

Entry written by: JAV
Category: Person
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