There can be very few people qualified to write about Miss Fisher's work in Barnardo's and I doubt if I am one of them. To be asked to do so makes one feel proud and at the same time inadequate. She has given a lifetime of loyal, devoted, and efficient service to the Association, so much that its value cannot be computed. My wife and I have been fortunate and happy to have shared the last fifteen years with her. We know her not only as an efficient colleague, but as a much loved and trusted friend.

Miss Fisher came from an Essex family and joined Barnardo's in 1921 She was sent to The Village as a trainee student and there remained until 1932. During this time she completed her training and took charge of various types of Cottages. She thus knew The Village in its great days, when it housed 1,200 to 1,400 girls of all ages and catered for their every need. The grounds were beautiful and well maintained. Much ugly brickwork was bidden by creeper, and the open country was just beyond the gates. People had not then lost the use of their legs and recreation was more simple and healthy. She has often described to me her country walks with children and friends among the staff.

The Governors of The Village at this time were those famous ladies, Miss Picton - Turberville and the Hon. Aline Mc Naughton. They brought into their work not only great love and understanding, but also considerable powers of administration. Miss Fisher readily absorbed all they had to give and having done it was not content to sit still or vegetate. In 1932 she applied for leave to attend a Moral Welfare course and here gained a deeper insight into other problems affecting Child Care. On completion of this course she returned to The Village to take charge of a new outside hostel catering for girls under taking various forms of higher education.

When war was declared and The Village evacuated she stayed behind to supervise its closure and in 1940 took up an administrative appointment at Stepney under Miss Chavasse. Here she worked until 1945 when Miss Chavasse was asked to re - open The Village and chose Miss Fisher to do this.

I feel that at this stage Miss Fisher did her greatest work. The Village was a sorry travesty of all that it had been when she left it five years earlier. The bulk of the Cottages were occupied by refugees or bombed out families of doubtful trades and habits. The grounds were unkempt and stripped of their former beauty; materials were scarce and labour scarcer. The Child Care Act then in force had unleashed a horde of eager amateurs full of well - meaning, but often impractical, advice.

Within five years, at times in ill health and often in face of insuperable difficulties, Miss Fisher had established a stable community of up to 300 children and their staff. The problems of feeding, clothing, education, recreation and religious worship were tackled and overcome. Accountancy and office procedure were put on a sound basis, and when my wife and I took over from her in 1952, we found a going concern. I, as a cynic of many take overs, at last had one that ticked.

On our arrival the Reception Centre was brought in from the Garden City, boys of all ages were introduced and the numbers built up to the 600 mark. When it was necessary to decentralise, Miss Fisher was placed in charge of a permanent group of some 20 Cottages and about 200 children. She also had special charge of our Crippled Old Girls and Staff Pensioners. Here she remained until her retirement, setting a high example and always proving an inspiration to others.

To my wife and me her wisdom and help were invaluable; we faced many changes together and her clear grasp of essentials with her loyal cooperation made the most difficult problems simple. As a trainer of staff she was unsurpassed. Strict no doubt, for she expected a high standard, but how many must have blessed her for her constant help and advice in their early days. They knew too how loyal she was to them and how no sacrifice was too great when they were in trouble or difficulty.

With her children she was dignified but always approachable. She was someone they instinctively knew they could turn to in a tight corner and who would delight in their triumphs. Of course she knew so much and how often have I seen a little smile come over her face when some new and so up – to – date proposal was mooted. It had been tried before somewhere between 1921 and 1965 though possibly in different circumstances.

With her retirement Barnardo staff and children will lose a wise and gracious lady, but this loss, I am glad to say, will not extend to her crippled and her pensioners, whom she will continue to care for. May she long be spared to minister to their needs.

There is little new under the sun and then, was much good in the old days. We shall do ‑well to remember this and to study the methods of so great a servant in the children's cause.

By Lt. Col S. H. ATKINS

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