Prior to her involvement in the early 1990’s with Richmond Hill Congregational Church (as it then was) she had been Head of English at Talbot Heath Girls School, and is still fondly remembered by many of her ex-pupils.

Barbara was brought up in Yorkshire where her father was chief Constable of Chesterfield. He was well known in that town for his charity concerts which he organised each year with performances of Handel’s “Messiah.”

It was his custom to invite prominent soloists for these occasions, and Barbara used to relate how, as a teenager, she would help with the refreshments afterwards, meeting such well known singers as the lyric tenor Heddle Nash, and contralto Kathleen Ferrier.

She moved with her parents to Bournemouth, initially living in East Avenue, and after her father’s death Barbara and her mother moved to a new bungalow in Dulsie Road. This was to be Barbara’s home until quite recently when she moved to Sunrise in Westbourne, conveniently close to one of her favourite bookshops.

Barbara was a very private person and yet quick to engage with others, be it about her garden at Dulsie Road which she loved, or matters concerning art, music, literature and history, things about which she knew a great deal. Not surprisingly she was a member of the National Trust and for several years was one of their guides on Brownsea Island Nature Reserve.

She was also a Friend of Salisbury Cathedral, often attending seminars and other events in the Cathedral Close.

As well as singing in the choir, she was secretary of the Richmond Hill Literary and Musical Society, and over the course of many years invited a wide variety of guest speakers to address its members at their meetings.

She was always a kind and thoughtful lady, quick to write a letter of thanks, give a word of encouragement, express sympathy, or sincere wishes for a speedy recovery, and always in her recognisable and elegant handwriting.

Barbara Milner was someone who contributed a great deal to her church, her school and its pupils, and will be sorely missed at so many levels.

A private cremation has taken place. If desired, donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to a charity of choice.

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