Violet Carson

Ena Sharples, the role that Violet Carson O.B.E. is best remembered for came at the end of a long and eclectic career.

Norn in Manchester (specifiacally German Street, Ancoats] on the 1st September 1898 Violet was, along with her elder sister Nellie, part of the singing act 'The Carson' sisters. She was employed as a pianist at Manchesters Market Street cinema. She married George Peplow, who she had known from Childhood, in Manchester Cathedral in September 1926. She was twenty eight. George died two years later, and Violet never married again.

Violet found work as a singer in early radio adverts and her she was employed for her piano skills on the radio series Have A Go. Radio was the medium in whih she first found wide spread fame becoming known by the nations children as Aunti Vi the persenter of the World Service programme Childrens Hour. She also presented the B.B.C. Norths Womens Hour, One of the child actors on Childrens Hour was Tony Warren who was later to cast her in Coronation Street.

Carson was cast as Ena Sharples who made a memorable appearance in the second half of the Episode 1 (9th December 1960)|first episode]]. She took over the role forom Nan Marriott-Watson who played her in the pilot episode. Ena's iconic hair net was an addition of Violets own, to protecct the hair she was so proud of from the ministrations of Granadas make up girls.

Violet was quickly established as a major success in the role and was awarded an O.B.E. in 1965. Other honours and tributes followed such as two waxwork models, and an honoury degree of Master of Arts from Manchester University in 1973. In 1963 a rose was named after her.