Elizabeth Berk
Oh, Barbara, dear, fun-loving Barbara. You brightened up so
many events with your cheerful smile and your twinkling eyes. All
the garden parties you organised for us, with a lavish spread and
games to make us laugh. The lunch parties, large or small, often
at the Mansion House in Prospect Park, as in the photo above,
where we ate, drank and were merry.
We first met at the Writers’ Circle, your ‘extended family’, to which
you devoted an extraordinary amount of creative effort, care and
ingenuity. We all appreciated the varied homeworks you devised,
the competitions, the guest speakers, the Christmas gifts you put
together for each member. You always had new ideas to stimulate
our creative muscle, including writing shared stories and
compiling and publishing several anthologies of members’ work.
And let’s not forget the committee meetings at your house, with
generous refreshments and lots of merriment.
Your own personal writing was varied and of a high standard. I
loved your clever short stories, with subtle plots that left me
thinking; ‘That ended well, but she could also have turned events
in a completely different way...or even another way.’ Your novels
were also full of intrigue and delightfully written.
Thank you for the warmth of your friendship over many years.
Your whole personality has been inspiring and serves as a model
for making the absolute most out of life.
With love from Elizabeth
© Thames Valley Writers’ Circle
Created with Xara Designer Pro X
Walter Jardine
I’m so saddened by the news of Barbara’s death as, I am
sure, will everyone who knew her.
My sincere condolences to Susie and all of Barbara’s family
and all those who have known her through our writer’s circle.
She made a special effort to make new members welcome
and to help them to get on the path to writing success.
The loss to all will be immense.
Your Tributes
Neil Somerville
Not only was Barbara the founder of the TVWC but a very
skilful writer - her novel Listen to the Drums is a really gripping
read - and she won numerous writing prizes. She was also a
talented card maker and avid gardener. But above all she was
devoted to her family, was caring, encouraging, kind and a
marvellous friend to many.
David Baldock
This is very sad for all of us, but particularly cruel for Barbara’s
family at such a difficult time. They will no doubt be grieving
for their loss and for the fact that they could not be with her,
and that the funeral will have to be so muted.
I shall miss Barbara’s encouragement and humour, and agree
with Neil that we ought to honour her memory in some way.
Sarah Cox
Such awfully sad news and so difficult for Susie and Neil. I
haven’t known Barbara for as long as many of you but she
really was such an inspiration and so thoughtful. Even in the
time I’ve been with you I remember her little gifts to all of us at
Christmas and Easter and her love for the group.
She has been greatly missed in the last few months when she’s
been ill and I agree with Ian in that I expected her to be back at
some point with her mischievous grin and kind words.
We definitely must honour her memory
Sue Glover
I am so sorry to hear this very sad news. Although I didn't
know Barbara as well as your members, she encouraged me
when I read out a couple of chapters of my story, it gave me
the confidence to carry on writing. She graciously admired my
poem 'A Jaded Rainbow' and praised me for the sentiments,
which encouraged me to continue.
She was an amazing Lady and I only wish I got to know her
better.
R.I.P. Barbara.
Janis Doughty
This is very sad news indeed. Like you all say, such a horrible,
difficult time for Susie and her family. Like us all, I will miss
Barbara too. I loved listening to her poems and stories. I was
always amazed and admired her very much that until what
seems only recently, she was with us at writing group at 92/93
years of age and still bright as a button, with a very keen mind
and chuckling. She was very kind (I remember too her little
gifts to us all at Christmas and Easter) and she was always
very encouraging.
I think it would be lovely and very fitting for us to honour
Barbara's memory.
Sally Johnson
No words can say how sad I feel today. Barbara was a lovely,
talented, mischievous, generous, funny friend. She’ll be greatly
missed.
So sad for the family, especially Susie who Barbara absolutely
adored and vice versa.
A very sad day.
Helen Bouchami
What very sad news. I’ve known Barbara less long than many
of you, but I found her a welcoming and encouraging
presence in the Circle. She gave me a signed copy of her
book and I really enjoyed reading it.
These are difficult times to provide a fitting send-off, as people
might normally have done. I am assuming that her family will
be the only ones allowed at her funeral. Perhaps we could
send a wreath/make a charity contribution from TVWC. I
would be happy to contribute.
Derek Walsh
Please pass on my sincerest condolences to all concerned.
She was a truly lovely person and indeed also, a very skillful
writer. I had the real pleasure of reading 'Listen to the drums.' I
enjoyed it immensely.
Jan Sprenger
Barbara was an inspiration. She was hugely encouraging to
me in my writing career.
Marta Cseh
I feel so sorry for the loss of Barbara. Though l did not know
her, l respected her personality. She was so kind to me when
we exchanged some emails just before her illness.
Les Williams
For me, Barbara, as well as being an excellent writer, was
inspirational. On countless occasions she was extremely
helpful with her insights and guidance, often given to me as
asides with a wry wit. There can be no doubt that it was her
hard work and dedication that created, nurtured and
developed the Circle to become the highly appreciated and
successful body it now is. For that we all owe her a great debt.
Colin Ferguson
Thank you for letting me know about Barbara's death. I have
known her since I joined the Circle in 1995. She was a
constant support to me in my early writing as she was to so
many. She had a near death illness some years ago during
which I had the honour of covering for her as Chair for a
couple of years She soon bounced back. Her influence on so
many is a tribute to her love of writing. I am sure we will find a
way of a more lasting tribute to her memory.
Richard and Heather Holdsworth
I joined the Group around the year 2000. I
was starting out on the long trail of writing
my evacuee book; I had not shared any of
it with a writer's group and joining TVWG
seemed the way to go. Nervous that I was,
Barbara made me very welcome - maybe
a rather severe approach but that made
her warm words even more valued and
encouraging. That and the fact that
Barbara Smith's own writing was quite
exceptional.
Heather and I will remember her for ever. She had had the
foresight to start a writer's group when there were few around,
she nurtured it, guiding it and it is down to her that others have
been able to take it forwards and it is the wonderful group it is
today.
Our wishes are with you all.
Les Cooper
I am afraid that words fail me except to say that Barbara
was a lovely friend who I miss and will always remember.
Evette King
YOU HOLD A SPECIAL PART IN LIFE.
YOUR GENTLE SPIRIT,
THE CARE AND ENCOURAGEMENT I WILL NEVER
FORGET.
YOUR CREATIVITY
THE GENUINE INTEREST YOU TOOK IN MY FAMILY AND
ALL THOSE THAT JOINED WRITERS CIRCLE.
YOUR THOUGHTFUL GIFTS TO MYSELF AND BABY
GRANDDAUGHTER EVIE MY LIFE IS ENRICHED FOR
MEETING YOU.
Joyce and Gerry Robinson
I first met Barbara when we attended a creative writing course
in Theale as everyone knows. Following on from there TVWC
was born. It was when we attended a writing course at the
University (one evening a week) that Barbara suggested
Gerry join us rather than dropping me off and then coming to
pick me up two hours later. With her encouragement he took
up writing and joined the Circle. There have been many
memorable moments including her portrayal of the wicked
fairy godmother in the Pantomime “Snowpake and the three
and a half poets.”
We enjoyed her beautiful garden when she hosted summer
garden parties for the Circle and she always went beyond tea
and biscuits for our committee meetings held in her house.
Gerry and I send our thoughts to her family and although we
rarely attended the meetings lately the last few times had not
seemed right without Barbara sitting in her usual chair.
Seyda Eker
İ am sorry to hear that Barbara has passed away! My deep
condolences to the Writer circle's members.
She was my idol. She had a golden heart, was an energetic
and active lady in spite of her age. She came to visit us at our
summer site in Turkey. We had memorable days together. She
even danced with my husband at a nearby cafe. She called
him TD (Turkish Delight)
Stay safe
Helen Collett
At first we're stunned. 'I can't believe it.' But the subconscious
tells us it is so. Then our thoughts wander down the avenues of
memory.
When I first met Barbara - so welcoming with a smile - she
believed in my writing more that I did. She gave me little pep
talks to nudge me on to greater things. Who will be my angelic
bully now that she is gone? Or will I wilt not placing finger to
keyboard?
Dear, Barbara, many a time when we sit around the table, we
shall look to the head and our mind's eye will see you there.
With all your wisdom, charm and talent you will be sorely
missed and nostalgically remembered.
Chloe Stoakes
Barbara's funeral service today ended with the very fitting ' bring
me sunshine'. She truely was a ray of sunshine, greeting you
with a warm welcoming smile.
Without Barbara many of us would never have met, or continued
on our writing journey.
When I first joined the group, sitting next to her always gave me
the confidence to continue to read the most difficult things. She
was always so encouraging, telling me to never give up.
No matter how long you have known Barbara I think its fair to
say she left a lasting impression on us all. Her memory should
undoubtedly be honoured.
With love
Chloe
Claudette Flint
I just wanted to send my condolences to Barbara’s family. I
sent her an email about 2 months ago to ask her how she
was and if she was in the Orkneys. She always encouraged
me in my writing and I’ve got her two books. She will be
missed a lot.
Kind Regards
Claudette Flint
Ian Smith
A brilliant sense of humour, not just kind but the kindest
person you could ever meet. Always optimistic about life
and so helpful with her advice and time. So utterly modest
too. Like everyone else I shall miss her greatly and the
world is poorer today. Thames Valley Writers Circle will
ensure the memory of Barbara lives on.
Ian
Cordelia Mansall
Barbara's passing means we shall not enjoy her presence,
her wit nor her constructive criticisms in the group , and thus
she shall be sorely missed, yet her legacy shall always be
with us. I shall never forget how graciously and warmly she
welcomed me into the Thames Valley Writers' Circle. Even
though my attendance was/is poor and my contributions
spasmodic, she always found something encouraging or
uplifting to say to me. She made me feel and believe that
somehow I could and would write something useful once
more. She was an inspiration to me and shall continue be
so. Her physical presence shall be greatly missed but her
Spirit remains as the essence of this circle of writers in
Thames Valley. I am so glad I came to know you, Barbara..
Thank you.
Cordelia