Frances Doris Bryant Read

Biography for Frances Doris Read

Born: July 25th, 1919

Died: November 1st, 2006

Frances Doris Bryant was born on July 25th, 1919 in St. George, Bristol, England. She was the daughter of Lillian Jarrett and Albert Edward Bryant. Frances grew up in Yew Tree Cottage in Golden Valley, Wick, Near Bristol and was a loving sister to her younger brother John . Frances was an active Girl Guide and a student at Kingswood Grammar School. She left after Junior Matriculation, when she became a trainee Teacher at Tormarton. At 17 she acquired her driving license and enjoyed driving in all the countries she visited until she was 83, taking great pleasure in the freedom it gave and the ability to help others.

Frances and Charles Read were married on October 1st, 1939 in Wick, at St. Bartholomew?s church, and she changed her name to Frances Read. Her life changed drastically during the Second World War and she spent time living in Birmingham and then Shillingstone in Dorset, returning to Wick to live with her husband and two daughters toward the end of the war.

Mother to Ann , who married Roger Tanner and has lived in Canada since 1967, and Jenny, married to Rob Wood who presently lives in Bargara, Australia. Frances was loving grandmother to Ruth Tanner and Jamie Wood.

Mrs. Read was a beloved teacher who worked at Tormarton and various schools in the Warmley and Kingswood area and a Private School in Downend before her career took her to Oldland Common Girls School (Lister House) teaching mainly biological sciences. This girls school later became co-ed and was renamed Sir Bernard Lovell School. Here she remained teaching until her retirement. Mrs. Read was an active member of the school community and became House Mistress of Mitchell House making many lasting friendships with fellow staff and students.

Frances played Field Hockey for the Wick Ladies Hockey Club, and was acting secretary for the Club for many years and was involved in The Village social events helping with Fancy Dress, Dances and Floats for parades in the annual village carnivals. In the late 1940?s Charles and Frances held Teenage Bible Classes at their home, known as No.31, providing the basis of a youth community group.

She attended University Adult classes later in life and read and recorded book reviews for the BBC. Frances was involved in community life and was a member of the Wick Parrish Council for 20 years. During which time, she was instrumental in acquiring the piece of land next to the new Wick School for a park and playground for the community. Frances also put together a historical record of Wick consisting of photographs and writings from village residents, which was put on display in St. Bartholomew?s Church. Her historical record was put together in book form and was given to the Wick historical society.

Frances was a woman who loved to travel and if she spent any time in a community, she was always involved, including reading books on tape for the blind. She spent time in England, Australia, and Canada

She loved and appreciated Impressionist art and Frances was a wonderful watercolour artist in her own right.

Her enthusiasm for life and generous nature left its mark with every person she encountered.

She will be missed.