13th July 1931 – 10th November 2024
Barbara enjoyed a long and very distinguished career as a member of Wolverhampton Astronomical Society, latterly as a Life member. She was President on four occasions between 1983 and 2001. Barbara will be remembered for her many talks to the Society, one of which, Birth of a Small Blue Planet delivered on 28 September 1998, combined her interests in astronomy and geology. A video recording of this talk forms part of the Society’s permanent archive of meetings. As daughter Carol remembers, Barbara was also instrumental in teaching O Level astronomy to young members of the Society.
In the days when Council meetings were held at the homes of Council members, Barbara was always willing and welcoming. As recounted in the accompanying obituary by her daughter Carol, home was often a venue for well-remembered parties, when most of those present would be Society members. With her late husband Ken, she celebrated a memorable 50th wedding anniversary with another party, this time at the Quaker Friends Meeting House in Chapel Ash. The first and only time I witnessed hymn singing to the tune of the Dam Busters’ March.
Many members may recall that Barbara provided refreshments for Society meetings over a long period of time at two former venues, Beckminster Church Hall and Highfields School Environmental Centre. In fact, she was adamant in continuing in the role, albeit with occasional help, when disabled to the extent of needing to use a Zimmer frame to aid walking. That was a measure of Barbara’s commitment.
Barbara will be sorely missed, not only by her close family, but by all those who were privileged to know her. We extend our sincere condolences to daughter Carol and son Jon and their respective families.
Phil Barnard