THE ‘WOMAN who saved Wombwell Woods’ has died after a battle with cancer.
Joy Bretton, 74, from Windmill Road, Wombwell, was a prolific volunteer in Wombwell and beyond.
Originally from London, Joy stayed in the capital after her family moved away to Anglesey.
Her first job was as a science lab technician at a secondary school, before joining the Bank of England as a clerk.
While there, she joined the rifle shooting club on the roof of the building, and later, she helped found the Westminister Civil Service Sports Club’s first rifle club.
She then joined the RAF as a police officer, before joining the foreign office, doing clerical work on the fringes of MI5 and MI6. It was while working there she met husband Mike.
The couple married in Anglesey in September 1969, and the marriage meant Joy had to resign from the foreign office and they moved to Amersham.
They then moved to Wombwell, where Mike was originally from.
Joy had their only son David and started accounts work for the Civic Hall in Barnsley. Then went to Dimensions group of hairdressers and hairdressers training, followed by the chamber of commerce.
Eventually, she started her own business as a book keeper.
Joy also did a great deal of voluntary work, particularly with the environment, and she was responsible for the successful objection to executive housing being built on the land, via her involvement with the Wombwell Woods Society.
She was also behind the forging of a deal with opencasting company Banks, which meant they could opencast within the woods but in return, would buy them and give them to the people of Wombwell.
The woods are now held in trust by the Forestry Commission but safeguarded thanks to Joy’s agreement.
She was a member of the Dearne Valley Business Club and was involved in the Wombwell Community Partnership. A one-time member of the Wombwell Ward Alliance, she also supported the now-defunct Wombwell High Street Committee. She also spent time as a governor at Wombwell High School, served with community organisation We Love Wombwell and was a voluntary public member of the council’s scrutiny commission.
But her most memorable involvement in the community was her regular appearances as Mother Christmas alongside Mike as Father Christmas at the annual High Street festive galas.
Joy was one of three founder members of the Friends of Wombwell Cemetery organisation.
“She led a very full life and enjoyed every minute of it. Her biggest legacy is Wombwell Woods and I hope the people of Wombwell look after it,” said Mike
The funeral service will take place at Ardsley Crematorium on Tuesday at 1.30pm, conducted by Rev Richard Pamplin, who was Rector of Wombwell in the 1980s.
Afterwards at Wombwell Main Cricket Club. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Macmillan Nurses, Marie Curie and Barnsley Hospital’s Comforts Fund.
