Bracknell Community Mourns Beloved Heather Barber

Community leaders in Bracknell said goodbye on Friday to Heather Barber, a former town councillor remembered for “a lovely smile”.

Mrs Barber, 86, was a longtime member of Bracknell Town Council representing Great Hollands North. She worked as a secretary, personal assistant and administrator at Church Hill House in Easthampstead before retiring in 2010. As a young woman she lived in South Africa and Kenya, and more recently she served as a governor of Great Hollands Primary School and was active in the Great Hollands community association.

Her son, former Bracknell News reporter Alan Barber said: “She was a really fun Mum and we were really lucky to have her as a mother.

“The best description of her is disarming.   She liked to listen and wanted to listen to everybody else’s triumphs.

“Mum was really passionate about doing things for young people in the town like drop-ins for young people.

“She really loved children, and was always dropping in to see children who she had invested in.

“Mum took great pride in helping her community and she idolised her grandchildren.”

Alan added: “She made good friends amongst the people looking after her and her personality still captured people.

“Although she was in a care home, her grandchildren all came over from Australia and managed to see her in the last few years.”

Councillor Roy Bailey said: “Her sole motivation as a councillor was to help people with their problems. She fought injustice, bigotry and racism. Her warmth, kindness and integrity were there for all to see.

“I spoke at length to her two sons.  Their Mum would have been really proud.”

Councillor Mary Temperton, a life-long friend, paid tribute at the service: “Heather had a wonderful welcoming smile, but was very quick witted and a lovely friend.”

Mrs Barber retired in 2010 and was later admitted to a nursing home as she started battling dementia. Her son said: “Sadly it only goes in one direction, but she still had her sense of humour.   ”

Her memorial service was held on Friday, February 13 at 10.30am at Eashampstead Crematorium. Her sons Alan and Clive were joined by many members of the local community and council administration. Her grandchildren Lucy and Emily, Sofia and Vincent watched the service live streamed to Australia and sent tributes.

At the service it was said Mrs Barber was a “Labour supporter through and through” like her father, motivated by contributing to her community.

Heather Barber was born on September 20, 1940 and passed away on January 16 this year. She was 86.

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter