A tribute to Barbara Smith

From her small office just inside the principal entrance to the heart of Wells Cathedral School in Cedars House in the late 20th century, Barbara Smith held court. Among all the individuals to whom I was introduced on my appointment as Headmaster in 1985 I quickly became aware of both the warm personality and the immense experience of the lady who was to become my Secretary for nearly 15 years. It was appropriate that her first two appointments at Wells were in the Bursarial Department to, successively, two retired Naval Officers, Commodore Jerry Coote and Captain Graham Chambers; her own experience as a Wren in HMS Flying Fox would have served her well. From Bursars to Heads; Alan Quilter was one of the great Headmasters, and Barbara would have been well aware of the critical importance of co-education, specialist Music, and membership of HMC. It is no surprise that Alan Quilter should commend her in his Chapter of the History of Wells Cathedral School; “she always devotes herself utterly to her work and sets very high standards indeed”.

Visitors to the School, potential and current parents, teaching and non-teaching staff, and pupils all had to pass Barbara’s, often-open door, and she greeted them all with warmth and assurance. I became acutely aware of the number of overseas pupils who sought her “motherly” support, the “Gap” students who needed her advice, the potential parents immediately attracted to the School, and the countless members of staff who found her company a symbol of the atmosphere of happiness in the school so prevalent at that time. She was unfailingly industrious, efficient and loyal, so much so that I had no hesitation in recommending her for National Secretary of the Year sometime in the 1990s.

She continued as Secretary to the Head for two more years after my retirement before taking on the important position of Registrar. In 2005 she retired after 28 years of devoted service to the school she loved and which will remember her with gratitude and affection. It is a mark of our immense fondness and respect for her that my wife, Priscilla and I , were privileged to become very close friends with this delightful, fun-loving lady for the past quarter of a century.  

- John Baxter, Former Head Master