Colchester YAC remembers Barbara Butler
June 2026
We at YAC HQ are sad to share that Barbara Butler, long-standing leader of Colchester YAC sadly passed away in December 2025. Barbara was involved in Colchester YAC for many years and took over as branch leader in 2006. With thanks to Barbara’s dedication to the group, Colchester YAC is continuing to deliver archaeological opportunities to young people in Colchester with a passionate team of volunteers and young leaders.
Colchester YAC’s new branch leader, Sara, shares Barbara’s contribution to the club;
The volunteers at Colchester Young Archaeologist’s Club (YAC) are learning and discovering as much as the children who attend the group. It’s true to say that most of us aren’t history buffs or experienced with running a group, but thanks to Barbara Butler, we have been brought together. It would seem that Barbara, as well as having a passion for archaeology and history, also had a knack for spotting people’s strengths and encouraging them to step into the volunteering role and use those strengths to support the club. Sadly for all of us, we lost Barbara in December 2025, who passed away suddenly following a short illness. Although a lot of us consider ourselves new to the club (three years or less), there are also longer-term stalwart volunteers who worked with Barbara for many years in supporting the group.
We’re learning about the history and archaeology but also learning about our own strengths which Barbara spotted, which is giving us confidence in ourselves and our ability to keep Colchester YAC going as a thriving group, and honouring Barbara’s memory.
Colchester YAC has been running for over 2 decades, initially at Colchester Castle, and since 2006 under the leadership of Barbara, with support from Jill, Gillian and Hilary (Jill and Hilary are still volunteering with YAC and their knowledge is invaluable, Gillian has recently stepped back from attending regularly and is missed). Later, Pawel joined the group; and in more recent years Charlie, Frances, Kate and Sara. We also have two Young Leaders, George and Abigail, who were previously YAC members and we’re very pleased that they’ve stayed on as enthusiastic volunteers to give younger children opportunities.
Barbara was a long-standing YAC Leader with the Colchester Young Archaeologists’ Club, supporting YAC members and volunteers for decades. I have fond memories of Barbara at various YAC leader training events where she always brought a smile, the best questions and set new leaders at ease with her friendly chats. I’ll miss seeing Barbara at these events and I know the Colchester YAC group will deeply miss her knowledge, commitment and care for the branch – Jo from YAC HQ
