Elsie Barrah

Miss Elsie Margaret Barrah was born in 1916 and lived at Middle Bastleford on the family smallholding. During her childhood, she attended Rosemarket school.

Elsie never married and after years of helping out on the farm decided to go out to work in a greengrocers in Haverfordwest. Eventually the farm was sold and the family moved to Rosemarket. Elsie then went on to work at T. P. Hughes and continued there until 1976, when she retired. She always remained extremely active despite her chronic arthritis. She continued to care for her parents until their deaths, then she moved to West Street.

Elsie always enjoyed participating in village life and was active in many organisations. In 1946, she became the first woman parish councillor in Rosemarket for 50 years, and later became the first woman chairman of Rosemarket Parish (now community) council. She was a councillor for forty years.

Elsie was a lifelong member of Rosemarket Church and, until she was into her 90s, she attended every Sunday. She was Sunday School superintendent for over 30 years.

Rosemarket Church Sunday School, March 1982. Elsie seated, on left.
Rosemarket Church Sunday School, March 1982. Elsie seated, on left.

Elsie also served on the Parochial Church Council for over 60 years. She was, at various times, secretary, treasurer and church warden. Elsie was also instrumental in forming a local guide pack in the area.

Elsie was an ardent royalist and one of her proudest moments was to receive the Maundy Money from the Queen's hands at St David’s, in 1977.

For the last 50 years of her life, Elsie wrote a weekly letter to her brother Jim, in Australia, and at the age of 70 she finally flew out to visit him and his wife.

Elsie died aged 91 in 2007. Her funeral took place on the 28th September that year in St Ismael’s Church, Rosemarket, with Elsie's niece, reading the lesson. Elsie was buried in the old churchyard in a family grave.

Two years later, in May 2009, the dedication of a seat in Elsie’s memory took place in Middle Street, Rosemarket. Many relatives and friends of Elsie attended the occasion. The introduction was given by Mr Ashley Warlow and the Rev Martin Likeman conducted the dedication. Mr David Barrah, Elsie’s nephew, thanked everyone concerned for a very happy occasion.


Elsie Barrah