Barbara Warren
8th July 1934 to 23rd October 2015
I first met Barbara and John at the Boxing Day Canter at Uddens Drive in 1976 when they were looking for a way to get fit. The family thoroughly enjoyed the event and the atmosphere and Barbara said that within two hours their lives had changed for ever.
Things took off rapidly from that first event from buying the right gear and travelling all over the country and eventually abroad in pursuit of the new found enthusiasm. It progressed to becoming a family way of life with regular competitions and event preparation enjoyed by Barbara, John and their children Richard and Alison.
In 1981 with a sense of trepidation, Barbara took over the reins as editor for the club magazine 'Waffle'. Barbara would invite, persuade, demand, badger or even plead with club members to write something for 'Waffle'. In those early days there were no computers and it was a question of typing up all contributions onto Gestetner masters and then run off by hand at A4 size. Barbara continued as editor of this much loved and informative magazine for 30 years. A true labour of love.
Barbara was always fully involved in all club events and activities and her memories included sitting for hours putting hundreds of paper maps into plastic bags ready to be heat sealed for JK 97. At JK 97 Barbara was one of a team led by Cris Tween to work on enquiries for 3 days. They were based in a freezing, windowless hall while competitors were complaining of the blazing sun and heat. She remembered holding hundreds of control cards up to the light to check punch marks, calculating the elapsed time and deciphering unreadable names. Other memories of her orienteering life included listening to the tops of trees breaking off in a blizzard at the Southern Championships in the New Forest and ploughing across open heathland as lightning was striking all over the purple heather of Helmsley Moor.
Barbara for many years looked after the club strip, often taking the stock of O tops and trousers to events for club members to buy. She was also to be seen at all WIM events manning Registration and Enquiries.
Many of you will have seen Barbara's article under 'Know Your Class Leader' in the August 2015 edition of Compass Sport and this could have been written as her own obituary.
Barbara mentioned that she had derived as much pleasure from the 'helping' aspect of orienteering as from the competitive. Barbara was always there supporting John in his roles as controller, organiser, planner and mapper, always willing to help and do whatever was needed.
Competitively Barbara took part in all the major events over the years including events in Sweden and Switzerland. In 1985 she won W50 on the limestone pavements of Ogof Ffynnon Ddhu and in 1986 she ran with Nikki Crawford and Jenny Thompson to win the W45 relay at the BOC. Barbara also in 2013 earned herself a place on the podium at the Scottish 6 days event. In 2014 she won the British Middle W80 class on Cannock Chase and just this year won the W80 class at the British Championships in the Forest of Dean. In 2000 Barbara was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease but over the past 15 years she has been an inspiration to us all in not letting that deter her in any way from continuing to compete at events.
Barbara particularly enjoyed the Scottish Six Day Events and many club members will have fond memories of her hospitality at the Warren accommodation during these events.
Barbara was born in Birmingham and married John in 1963 after meeting on a Youth Hostel holiday in Northern Ireland. Prior to moving south to Ringwood they both taught and enjoyed the great outdoors in Derbyshire for 3 years. Before taking up orienteering they had always enjoyed walking, mountains and travel, with Barbara also playing Badminton which she continued until she was diagnosed with Parkinsons.
They travelled extensively in Europe especially in Spain and Norway. In 2009 Barbara and John organised a trip on the Hurtigruten along the Norwegian coast. This was a voyage they had done before and particularly enjoyed and it was a great pleasure for Madeleine, Richard Brightman and myself to join them on this holiday.
Barbara was also a founder member of the Ashley Heath Women's Institute and led regular walks for members. In addition she worked for 38 years in the Oxfam shop at Ringwood and in 2013 was awarded the British Empire Medal for her services. On the day of the announcement BBC South came to the shop to interview and film her. The medal was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire in Winchester and this was followed by a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in June 2014. A true highlight for her and very much deserved.
In 2013 Barbara and John celebrated their Golden Wedding with a memorable day with all the family on a canal boat near Stratford on Avon.
We have all lost a true friend who will be sadly missed and our thoughts at this time are with John, Alison, Richard and their families.
Trevor Bridle
