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Bob Dobson · 23-12-2016, 16:06

Helen Barrett, for many years a local studies/history librarian in Accrington Library died from cancer in hospital a few days ago. Aged 72yrs, she retired 12yrs ago but continued to work in the field as a committee member for Hyndburn Local History Society. She was a huge help to researchers such as myself with her knowledge not only of this locality but the wider subject. Before coming to Accrington, she had been local history librarian at Bury. In later years, she had worked in tandem with Catherine Duckworth.
Accrington was the only library in the county to have its own dedicated local studies library and staff. It still is and the present librarian, has much to thank Helen and Cath for.

She was on the committee at St John's parish church and was prominent in saving the church from closure a few years ago. She had been a governor at St Christopher' School for many years.
In retirement, she had worked at the Haworth Art Gallery.
Helen's husband, Colin was a florist on the market band in Dutton St. Colin and their son Philp survive her.

23-12-2016, 16:06	#1
Bob Dobson Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Staining, Blackpool Posts: 3,096 Liked: 407 times Rep Power: 158674	Mrs Helen Barrett, librarian Helen Barrett, for many years a local studies/history librarian in Accrington Library died from cancer in hospital a few days ago. Aged 72yrs, she retired 12yrs ago but continued to work in the field as a committee member for Hyndburn Local History Society. She was a huge help to researchers such as myself with her knowledge not only of this locality but the wider subject. Before coming to Accrington, she had been local history librarian at Bury. In later years, she had worked in tandem with Catherine Duckworth. Accrington was the only library in the county to have its own dedicated local studies library and staff. It still is and the present librarian, has much to thank Helen and Cath for. She was on the committee at St John's parish church and was prominent in saving the church from closure a few years ago. She had been a governor at St Christopher' School for many years. In retirement, she had worked at the Haworth Art Gallery. Helen's husband, Colin was a florist on the market band in Dutton St. Colin and their son Philp survive her.