Lionel Barrington (Barry) Ward 1937 -2009
The sudden death of Barry Ward on 20th December 2009 came as a great shock not only to his lovely family, but also to his many friends in the Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield area.
After graduating from Manchester University, Barry taught Physics at two schools in the neighbourhood, Bishop Vesey Grammar School, Sutton Coldfield, followed by Park Hall School at Castle Bromwich, where he was introduced to bell ringing by a fellow teacher.
Barry and his wife Barbara came to Sutton Coldfield in the late seventies, they were both taught to ring at St James’s, Shirley initially and then joined the band of ringers at St Michael’s, Boldmere, where their children Ian and Susan also became ringers.
Many were surprised when he opted out of education, taking a job as a curator at Birmingham Museum of Science and Industry where he could indulge his passion for working with things mechanical.
When, in 1989, the Carter Ringing Machine was transferred from the South Kensington Science Museum to the Birmingham Museum Barry took an immediate interest and undertook much of the maintenance work, including making parts in the museum’s workshop. He also became involved in demonstrating the machine and was elected Central Council Steward in 2004, holding this post until his death.
Barry accepted his wife, Barbara’s death, some three years ago, with great stoicism and being the very private person that he was, few of his friends could be aware of the pain of his loss.
Always a very fit chap, he had run in three London Marathons and several other runs around the country, including the Sutton Fun Run until 2 years ago. Invariably he walked to Boldmere, Erdington Abbey and Sutton Coldfield for ringing and used the bus for ringing at St Paul’s in the Jewellery Quarter, where he was a member.
Barry was involved in various events concerning the St Martin’s Guild and would often be available to help on practice nights, Sundays and weddings. A keen rather than a passionate ringer, he enjoyed the occasional peal, particularly drumming on the tenor to Stedman Triples.
Over the years he amassed a total of 71 peals.
He always enjoyed the wit and banter of ringers in the pub and, with encouragement, contributed intelligently on a variety of subjects, with good humour.
Never known to complain, be critical or unpleasant towards others, he was a calm, amusing and very popular fellow – a gentleman, who is already greatly missed.
St Michael’s Church, Boldmere was full of ringers, family and friends, for the memorial service on January 15th 2010. The bells were rung open before and afterwards, with an expert touch of Stedman Triples on handbells during the service.
Our condolences go to his children and grandchildren, of whom he was so very fond.
John Anderson
