Community Corner
Getting to Know WVIS' Barbara Locke
Whether you're at the Wenham Tea House or the playground next door, you have probably met Barbara Locke.
Name: Barbara Locke
Street: Porter Street, Wenham
Family: Married to Peter; son, Oliver; daughter, Daisy and crazy little dog, Hunter, affectionately called "Hunty."
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Occupation: At home mom, full time volunteer.
Hobbies/interests: I love to read and if I could have my way that would be all I would do! I am also the president of the Wenham Village Improvement Society. I started on the board 11 years ago to head up the WVIS summer program on the . The mission of the WVIS is to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Wenham. We do that by providing scholarships, the summer program, recreation on our tennis courts and playground and many other special projects and gifts to the town.
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What are you passionate about? Well, the WVIS for one thing, which really means the town of Wenham. I am also passionate about special education and disability rights and social justice issues. I also love politics!
What is the best book you have read? Fiction is "The Mayor of Casterbridge" by Thomas Hardy. It nearly did me in and started me on a wonderful discovery of everything that Hardy has written, along with every biography of him that I could get my hands on.
Non-fiction is "Slavery by Another Name: The Re- Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II",by Douglas Blackmon.
What is the best movie you have seen? "The Elephant Man" affected me so deeply when I saw it back while in college. I honestly have never been the same. Two other favorites are "Being There" with Peter Sellers and "My Left Foot" with Daniel Day Lewis.
What is your dream vacation? India. I became semi-obsessed with the sub continent after reading "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry. (Another favorite author.)
How long have you lived in Hamilton-Wenham? Since 1995.
How come you chose Hamilton-Wenham? My husband grew up in Wenham, so he knew first hand that is was such a special community. And of course, we loved the schools.
What is your favorite place in Hamilton-Wenham? The , naturally! The crown jewel in the heart of Wenham, built in 1916 to generate revenue to support the mission of the WVIS. And the beautiful playground behind it. I have so many wonderful summer memories there!
What is your favorite shop? The gift shop and bakery at the Wenham Tea House, along with her next door neighbor, .
What is an a fact about you that most don’t know? Before living in Wenham, my husband and I lived in Italy and Puerto Rico.
Do you have an usual or funny story having to do with Hamilton-Wenham? Lots of funny "Tea House Camp" stories involving wild animals, floods and disappearing children, but I don't think the parents are ready to hear about all that! Though there is a rumor of a book deal in the making by two retired (and much loved!) directors.
Where would someone see you around town? At the Wenham Tea House, on the playground or walking Hunty around town.
Which local services and programs do you support? I just joined the Board of the League of Women Voters of Hamilton-Wenham and am very excited about becoming involved with such a renowned organization. I'm on the Town of Wenham Historic District Commission, which fits in nicely with my role in the WVIS and love of history. I'm also a huge supporter of the Jimmy Fund, as is my husband. Peter rides every year in the Pan-Mass Challenge, in honor of our daughter, Daisy, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of two.
