A MUCH-LOVED teacher, Girl Guides leader and bowler has died, aged 90.

Iris Baughan, of Corn Street in Witney, was best known for her teaching roles at Minster Lovell Primary School and Hailey Road School, as well as resurrecting a Girlguiding company in the town.

The mother-of-two and grandmother-of-five is remembered as an enthusiastic woman and a great encourager of talent.

Mrs Baughan was one of eight siblings born in Edmonton, London. As a teenager she worked for confectionary manufacturer, Maynards, and joined the Women's Land Army at the tail end of the Second World War.

It was her role in the Land Army that would take her to Witney, where she worked carrying out relief milking in farms around the town.

While she was in Witney she met her future husband, former deputy headteacher at Wood Green School, Benjamin Baughan, while he was on leave from his service in the Royal Navy.

Shortly after the couple wed at St Mary’s Church in 1950, Mrs Baughan began to train as a teacher herself. She worked at Minster Lovell Primary School, followed by Hailey Road School, where she worked until her retirement.

While in her first teaching role, she became a favourite among her pupils by establishing a football team – something the school was lacking.

Mrs Baughan and her husband had two daughters together, Jennifer Hoare, 58, and Rosemary McKerrell, 61.

She was inspired by her 11-year-old Rosemary’s membership of the Brownies to resurrect the town’s Girlguiding Company, which, during the 1960s was left without a leader.

Starting off by offering help to the company, Mrs Baughan would go on to lead the group.

Her other daughter, Mrs Hoare, described such actions as typical of her mother, who always readily involved herself in groups and organisations.

In later life, Mrs and Mr Baughan enjoyed their retirement together, going on fly fishing trips and joining Witney Bowls Club, an organisation they both became deeply involved in. Mrs Baughan was such a natural bowling talent that she represented the county in the sport.

Mr Baughan, an author and poet, has written several books and collections, many of which are dedicated to his wife who, due to her organisational talents, he frequently referred to as ‘the chancellor’.

She is survived by her husband, 99, her two daughters and her five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in St Mary's Church on Tuesday, January 17, at 2.30pm. All are welcome, and those attending are asked to wear colourful clothing to celebrate Mrs Baughan's life.