With our thanks to late OC and Master at Cabin Hill Brian Baker's (2538) daughter, Susan Baker, who has this year presented Campbell College Junior School with The W. Barrington Baker Cup. The Cup is to be awarded for Reading, in memory of her mother and father, Ruth & Brian Baker.
 

Ruth Barnett Baker wrote for the Ulster Tatler, amongst other publications; her articles have been collected by her daughter, Susan. Campbell College features prominently in this 'A Collection of Ulster Tatler Articles: A Series on Leading Ulster Schools' (carried in the Ulster Tatler Spring 1967)

Ruth Barnett Baker's Exhibition (Ruth Baker, 1926-2015) was hosted in October 2017 at Belfast Heritage Reading Room at the Belfast Central Library, Royal Avenue.

As Susan explains about the Exhibition, “My late mother's career as a local journalist and also my father's teaching career (Brian Baker taught in Cabin Hill for 35 years) were commemorated.

There were displays of my late mother's articles for the Ulster Tatler, with a focus on Schools and Hospitals, and for Northern Life.

Other displays were of Family Memorabilia, Trinity College, Dublin memorabilia, and Bronte writings, with items and photographs linking up family history. 

In the display of writings about Cabin Hill, my father enhances the Baker family connection with the writers Forrest Reid and W. B. Yeats, as he and his father had a passion for literature.

My grandfather, W. Barrington Baker (1874 - 1957) was Honorary Secretary of the National Literary Society in Dublin, as was his father before him.

His father, W. H. Baker (1844 - 1911) was Manager of the Provincial Bank of Ireland, Capel Street, Dublin, where my grandfather was brought up.

Also displayed was my father's last article, "A Short History of Cabin Hill", which appeared in the Heritage Review Magazine, 2002.

My mother' s father, Dr R. S. Allison who was a Consultant Neurologist, was also paid tribute to. 

The Exhibition was a fitting tribute to my parents and their families. 

Interesting literary and travel items were also displayed from the W. Barrington Baker Archive, which the Library already holds.” 

Further to Susan’s generous donation earlier this year, Campbell College now holds in their archive Ruth Barnett Baker’s Series of Ulster Tatler Articles, on both Northern Ireland Schools & Universities, as well as Northern Ireland Hospitals. Should anyone wish to view these please make an appointment via Campbell College Front of House.

Susan’s father, OC Brian Baker taught in Cabin Hill for 35 years and Susan kindly invited Alumni Relations Suzy McIlveen into her home to share her private Baker Family Album and memories.

Susan's uncle S.A. Barrington Baker (2362), was the eldest of the 3 brothers who attended Campbell College.  Hugh Baker (3578) was the youngest brother and a senior boy at Campbell College for the Royal Visit of HM the Queen (1st June 1951).

We are privileged to be able to share with you a selection of Susan’s photos (see under PHOTOS), including:

·        W. Barrington Baker Family Group. 1st January, 1948 in Belfast. 

Back Row - L - R - Denis Forrest, Brian Niall, William Barrington, Stanley Arthur

Front Row - L – R - Georgina née Stanley, George Hugh, W. Barrington Baker (died Jan. 1957)

·       Brian Baker in Cabin Hill uniform with 3 other brothers, who were all boarders at Cabin Hill

·       Brian Baker, wife Ruth Baker, father W. Barrington Baker, youngest brother Hugh Baker in cadet uniform on the  occasion of the Royal Charter presentation to the Governors by HM the Queen, 1st June, 1951

·       Brian Baker and his Cabin Hill Colleagues

Brian N. B. Baker taught at Cabin Hill from 1948 - 1983, and was a Housemaster of Tyrone from 1972 - 1983, he was the second eldest son of W. Barrington Baker, and the family was brought up in the Provincial Bank House, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, where his father was Bank Manager from 1920 - 1938.  In retirement, the family moved to North Belfast. He was very proud of his 5 boys’ academic achievements and university degrees. 

Of his retirement, Brian wrote, “My elder brother, S. A. Barrington Baker, was number one on the School Roll when Cabin Hill opened in 1929; my retirement marked the end of 54 years of my family's association with the School.”

Brian’s entry in the Campbell College Register reads, “BAKER, Brian Niall Barrington, Price’s. b19.10.1920…Brother of 2362, 3578. UIV, July 1936. Member of the Council and Hon. Secretary, University Philosophical Society, TCD. Two Society awards for oratory, two for composition. Member of Foundation Committee, St Molua’s Church, Belfast. Cabin Hill Staff 1948-83. Scout Master 1948-51; Housemaster, 1972-83. Editor Junior Campbellian 1951-83. Hon Secretary, Old Campbellian Society. First Chairman, Old Campbellian Sports Club. President, Irish Bronte Society. Book Reviewer. Leader Manor Street Boys’ Club. Consultant for the Strategic Plan of the Bronte Society. Has contributed to ‘Transactions’, the official publication of the Society. Lectures on W B Yeats, the Brontes and Dr William Drennan and Cabin Hill. Former Chairman Victoria Alliance Association. Retired.”  
 

One of the many highlights was meeting OC and current teacher Mr Alan Jemphrey (6331), P6 Teacher, who remembers Mr Baker from his days as a pupil at Cabin Hill.

Susan is pleased to confirm that her old school, Bloomfield Collegiate, presently have a small Exhibition of her late mother's Ulster Tatler articles for the girls. Any interested Former Pupils who might like to see it, should contact the School or Susan herself, via Campbell College Alumni Relations Suzy McIlveen, smcilveen@campbellcollege.co.uk