Barbara Cavell touched the lives of so many people in Beeston Hill with her zest for life, generosity, her time and acceptance of absolutely everyone.
As her daughter Anita put it:
“Mum did what she felt the community needed of her. She wanted to create a community that was fully inclusive, she wanted to create a safe and fairer world.”
Whether it was delivering packages of games and sweets to families trapped in lockdown, or writing letters to political prisoners overseas, Barbara brought light into people’s lives.
As Laura Hodgkinson said of Barbara’s actions in lockdown:
“It was wonderful, it was joyful, it was thoughtful, it was generous, it was kind … it was so, so Glam-ma Barbara.” She lived her life “Impacting her dearly loved community one small action of love at a time, done with total commitment, creativity and love.”
Barbara was born just before the Second World War and grew up in Kirkstall. She passed her 11+ and attended Lawnswood Grammar School, where she gained six O-levels. But she didn’t follow an academic path, instead training and working as a secretary.
In 1959 she married Brian, and they bought a house in Colwyn Road, Beeston where they lived the rest of their lives.
When they discovered that they couldn’t have children they chose to adopt, first Jonathan, then three years later Anita completed the family. The children always knew that they were wanted and loved.
Barbara was a committed member of at Trinity Methodist Church on Tempest Road, taking on many roles over the years: church steward, Sunday school teacher, youth club leader, and multi-charity fundraiser.
With her good friend Helen Ingleby, she helped organise or support a wide range of causes including Adopt a Gran, Action for Children, Gay advice, Safe Places for Sex Workers, Beeston in Bloom, Aid for Refugees, Messy Church and foodbanks. They also joined campaigners calling on the G7 nations to cancel world debt.
Despite her best campaigning efforts, Trinity Methodist Church closed, but Barbara was involved in the creation of Faith Together in Leeds 11 which spawned the Hamara Centre and Building Blocks nursery and she served as a Trustee for many years.
She worked as a dinner lady (she wouldn’t have like the title lunchtime assistant) at Greenwood Primary School and latterly joined Kidz Klub as their ‘café queen’ where she was loved and valued by children and parents alike.
In 2019 she wrote a short piece for South Leeds Life which summed her up and we are reprinting here.
Counting rainbows
I am in competition with my daughter’s partner in regard to sighting rainbows. He lives on the edge of the Peak District, I live off Dewsbury Road. I am losing three – nil at present.
So where are my rainbows?
Well I recently popped into Building Blocks nursery. Whilst there I got into conversation with a group of 3 and 4 year olds. I was asking their names and saying things like I think your name is Freddie or Mary. No, no they said, I’m Hanif, I’m Blessing, I’m Tokumbo. So then I asked what they thought my name was. With one accord they said “Grandma!”
“Out of the mouths of babes.”
Every Thursday morning I wander up Tempest Road and when I reach the junction with Maud Avenue I meet a selection of hijabs, grey curly perms and Romanian head scarves. We are limping and struggling to make our way to various ‘keep well’ classes. We have a catch up on hips, knees headaches and other older people’s afflictions, but are glad of the rest before we press on to our various survival strategies.
“Old age is a many-spleandoured thing.”
Every Friday I do a pop up craft table at Beeston Hill charity shop. The first half is for children, the latter for adults. I have been working with 4 year old Sophia (Iranian? Polish? Hungarian? – I don’t know and it doesn’t matter).
Every Friday she runs in, jumps in front of me and presents me with a dandelion. She presents it, and I receive it, as if it is the fairest flower ever grown. “It’s for you!” she says. I hold back a tear and we make a windmill.
“Love, joy, creativity all free in excess.”
So Steve, these are my rainbows and guess what? I wouldn’t swap Beeston – not even for that gorgeous view of Kinder Scout and its rainbows!
Barbara Cavell, September 2019
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A lovely tribute to a lovely lady who do so much for her community over so many years. Rest in peace Barbara
Thank you Barbara