Memories of Esther Rantzen

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Esther Rantzen (centre) helps launch the BSA, with Chair Brian Dodsworth & Vice Chair Susan Page, 1995

Following the sad news that Dame Esther Rantzen passed away last week, long-term member, volunteer and former trustee Christine Simpson shares her memories of meeting Esther at one of our launch events in 1995.

I was very sad to hear of Esther Rantzen's passing. Since her death, we have heard of the great work that Esther did setting up Childline and Silverline, as well as campaigns to improve life for many people. But I wanted to tell the stammering community about the support she gave our charity in the 1990s. This is less well known but it was very important. 

Esther's husband, the television producer, filmmaker and journalist Desmond Wilcox, stammered as a child so they both had an understanding of stammering. They attended the launch of the British Stammering Association (BSA, previously called the Association for Stammerers) in November 1995 as special guests, which ensured press interest.

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A poster publicising the launch of the BSA event in 1995

The theme of the launch was employment and it highlighted the story of Dominic Barker, a young man who stammered who took his own life in 1994 aged 26, after negative experiences of job interviews. 

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Esther at the BSA launch event in 1995, with one of our patrons Nicholas Parsons

At the event we also launched BSA's employment leaflet, produced by BSA from recommendations by the Stammerer's Employment Group, a group of volunteers which included Allan Tyrer, Angela Doran, Caroline Dick, the late lamented Nick Conrad, Velda Osborne and myself.

Esther was very moved by Dominic's story and she really liked what we were doing with the employment leaflet. She spoke to me about it (see the picture below), and was friendly and easy to talk to.

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Christine (left) chatting with Esther Rantzen at the BSA launch in 1995

Esther also devoted one of her daytime chat shows to stammering in January 1996. It reflected a range of views from our community and I think was ground-breaking for the time.

STAMMA, formerly the BSA, would like to extend our condolences to Esther's family at this difficult time. We'll remember Esther for playing a key part in our organisation's history and for all the support she gave us.

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