This week family, friends and former colleagues will be gathering in Ruddington to pay their last respects to a well known and much loved village resident who passed away last month, aged 81.
Barbara Dickman (née Shelton) was born in Gedling, in the middle of World War Two, on January 30th, 1942. After moving with her family to Lowdham, as a teenager Barbara became a keen cyclist, entering numerous cycle racing competitions as part of The Broad Oak Cycling Club. Also during the late 1950s, she enjoyed visiting Ruddington with her friend. It’s here where she met her husband-to-be Brian Dickman; and the couple were married in 1960.
Now retired, Brian established the BD Cars garage on Easthorpe Street. Their youngest son, Jason Dickman, operates his current car servicing and M.O.T. business, Ruddington Garage, from the same premises.
Their eldest son, Gary Dickman, is perhaps better known still; having served recently as a Rushcliffe Borough Councillor for Ruddington. He owns and runs a stone cutting yard in Langar and works on historic buildings and churches throughout the country; currently supplying stone for Warwick Collegiate (Cathedral). Gary has also worked on several historic buildings here in Ruddington, including St. Peter’s Church, The Methodist Church and The Heritage Centre.
During Gary’s election campaign in Ruddington, his mum gave him a helping hand; as did a legendary Conservative politician, with whom Barbara is pictured below!
Brian and Barbara also have a daughter, Beverley Johnson, who contacted RUDDINGTON.info with the sad news of her mum’s death, on September 7th 2023. Beverley kindly provided these photos – and also wanted to make sure everyone knows about the funeral arrangements for this Friday at St Peter’s Church, so all who wish to pay their respects, and are able to attend the service, can do so.
“Mum was the epitome of what a good wife, mother, and friend should be” says Beverley. “She was always busy and enthusiastic in all her undertakings, of which there were many. She dove wholeheartedly into all her endeavours with unrivalled enthusiasm. We all loved her for her eccentric, quirky, and individualistic persona who found the funny side of situations and never failed to amuse us and often fell into fits of raucous laughter. Mum set a shining example of the kind of unconditional love required to see through life’s good times and challenges. All of life’s trials and tribulations were met with an abundance of fervor. That was Mum; always an optimist, always willing to take charge and fulfilling whatever task was necessary and appropriate.”
Among Barbara’s many undertakings were creating the business of a ladies’ designer fashion salon in what was formerly the office for the petrol service station at the front of BD Cars – and is now occupied by ‘Shade Bridal’. When Ruddington Grange Golf Club opened in 1988, Barbara soon became an impassioned golfer and was especially accomplished and proud to become their Lady Captain in 1996. She entered competitions and travelled around the country to numerous venues with the local golfing fraternity.
She was also a poet and author, and one of her last projects was writing a book, only recently published, detailing the everyday trials and responsibilities of her grandma, and called ‘Grandma Wilson’s Shopping Basket’. It depicts how life was for working class women of the Victorian era and how she remembered certain experiences of her own childhood and recalled the memories and stories recounted to her from her second Cousin Eileen who had been brought up by her Grandma and Grandpa Wilson. Barbara’s book recounts the memories and experiences told from Grandma Wilson’s shopping baskets. Barbara created her own illustrations to sufficiently depict the true character of those times. Her book was published by Pegasus on August 31st, 2023.
Beverley adds: “Mum was a helpful, compassionate, generous friend and companion who always saw the best in people. If she was needed, she was there asking what she could do in times of need. She was the glue of the family, always helping and taking control as and where necessary. She will be greatly missed by us all.”
The funeral service for Barbara May Dickman is taking place at St Peter’s Church in Ruddington this Friday, 13th October, at 3.00pm. Anyone in our village who knew Barbara is very welcome. Donations are being invited in support of Cats Protection. You can also donate online >>HERE<<.
