Joyce Mary Barker, B.A.

Joyce Barker was born on 28 December 1912 in Bagendon, Gloucestershire, where her parents farmed. She went to Cirencester Grammar School and then Bristol University to read history and while there she coxed the men's eight, a rare distinction at the time. After university she taught at schools in Liverpool and Maidenhead but returned to her roots during the war as warden of a Land Army hostel. She was then put in charge of a remand home for girls in Winchester, where she remained for seven years before going back to Bagendon to nurse her sick mother. When her parents died Joyce Barker ran the family farm until her retirement in 1957. Thereafter, she remained in Bagendon or the environs of Cirencester for the rest of her life devoting herself to archaeology, local history and conservation, all of which she served with enthusiasm and tenacity. In 1954 she joined the late Elsie Clifford, F.S.A., in her excavation of the Belgic oppidum at Bagendon, aimed at uncovering the pre-Roman origins of Cirencester, some three miles away. The work continued for three very successful summers during which time Joyce Barker met a number of the leading archaeologists of the day: Dr Glyn Daniel, Professor Sheppard Frere, Hilary Waddington, Sir Ian Richmond etc., and the results of the work were published by Mrs Clifford in Bagendon: a Belgic Oppidum in 1961. Joyce Barker was a founder member of the Cirencester Archaeological and Historical Society, Cirencester Civic Society and the Cotswold District Council. When major urban excavations were planned, initiated by the Antiquaries' Research Committee, in the late 1950s, she acted as the invaluable local contact for the various directors of excavation. She participated in Dr Graham Webster, F.S.A.'s excavation in Dyer Court, Cirencester, in 1958 and, when Professor John Wacher, F.S.A., took over in 1960, Joyce Barker was the link, which continued for many years, between Cirencester and his base at Leicester University. Because of her intimate local knowledge she was able to offer much helpful advice and many useful contacts until the work of the Cirencester Excavation Committee began to wind down in the late 1970s. She conducted the late Alec Clifton-Taylor, F.S.A., round Cirencester in preparation for his television broadcast on the town and appeared in the programme with him. As a member of the Planning Committee of Cotswold District Council she fought for the restoration of derelict buildings; she started a Family History Group in the town and a project to record the tombstones in the parish churchyard, which is nearing completion. She transcribed The Inventory of the Goods and Chattels of Thomas Rogers, Clothier, of Cirencester, April 1687 and, in collaboration with the Gloucestershire Record Office, led a group transcribing local parish records on which she was working at the time of her death. She was a tower of strength to the Corinium Museum and the Northleach Countryside Collection. She died on 10 April 1996, fortified by her Quaker faith.