By Andrew Warn
Barbara lived in Stanground as a girl, born shortly after the 2nd World War, in the days when there were fields outside the back door. She was the youngest of a family of five, she met John when she was seventeen, they married when she was nineteen, and as they say, the rest is history.
Barbara Holdich
Along the way came children and grandchildren, all living locally, all products of our school system, and all doing well for our community. So Barbara is the Matriarch of a proper Peterborian family that has been part of the awesome transformation that Peterborough has seen in the last 40 years.
She clearly had no idea that life would take her to be the First Lady of Peterborough, visits to Buckingham Palace, and a husband with an OBE. We could have called this piece “from Council House to Buck House”.
Barbara is proud of the fact that when her dad came home from the War they moved into one of the very first council houses in Stanground, and that it is still there today.
There is so much material available that we decided to concentrate on Barbara’s favourite year. Two things strike your editor; the variety, and the sheer hard work associated with the job of Mayoress. Not many of us have to go to 770 functions in a year, and get to ride on a train during a record-breaking run.
Over to Barbara: “The year that John and I will always remember as the greatest in our lives, was from May 1995 to May 1996, when John served as the Mayor of Peterborough. No one can prepare you for the total upheaval in your lives, or the pride and joy it brings in discovering all the good that is done in Peterborough and being part of it.
John and I were both born and bred in Peterborough, so the experience was all the more poignant for us. Many groups, young and old, visited us in the Parlour, including several disabled groups. We attended 770 functions during the year and 800 people joined us for afternoon tea at our “At Home”.
John had the historic task of cutting the first sod for the Hampton Township. We were also on the train as part of the Rail 150 celebrations, which broke the speed record, doing 156 mph.
We were present when Prince Charles opened the Energy Saving Centre in Westgate on his first visit to Peterborough. We met Princess Anne, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester joined us in the Cathedral for a special service to commemorate VJ Day. No one can forget that week, with parades of our war veterans, military vehicles (the NAAFI van raising the loudest cheer), and the VJ dance when John dressed as an evacuee. The moment that will stay in our minds always was the silence on Cathedral Square, the veteran soldiers and the huge gathering were brought to tears by emotion and memories.
A 100 year old whom we met (one of several visited) remembered the wars. Bob Perkin’s memory was sharp; he still lived on his own and walked unaided. He had never flown, so his birthday treat was a helicopter ride. His life of hard work and positive thinking was a true inspiration to everybody.
Another occasion was the opening of the new Hindu temple in Rock Road by their Guru. I had the opportunity to wear a sari, and we were treated to a splendid display of dancing and colour.
We visited businesses, toured factories and entertained foreign businessmen to help promote our great city.
Our year also included much fund-raising, our chosen charities were Alzheimers, and Arthritis and Rheumatism. We held a total of 35 charity events, and raised £36,214.84p with the help and support of the generous people of Peterborough.
What better way to end a fantastic year!”
Barbara is still doing ‘stuff’ for others. She runs the Glinton Friendship Club with her dedicated team, and after half a lifetime in Glinton is still a cornerstone of our society. I asked Barbara for a final comment: “Do as you would be done by, and be kind to everybody.”
