As she grew older she vigorously campaigned to protect the moor from modern developments – particularly its use by the British Army – selling many of her possessions to fund this. She lived alone at Venton until 1954 when, aged 79 or 80, she was taken to hospital under the provisions of the National Assistance Act 1948 as a person in need of care and attention. Locals tell a story that she was taken to hospital in a straitjacket, but only after the loaded revolver she kept by her bed was removed.