by Graham Heath

It is with sadness that I report the passing of Barry.

Barry joined our club and quickly established himself. Within twelve months, he was appointed captain and then Assistant Secretary. He was later to become an effective Secretary; management skills acquired at Asda and Shell ensured that he fulfilled his various roles.

Barry and I re-organised the parlous state of the club’s finances in the 1980s. We set up fundraising by running a café, serving tea, coffee and snacks in Central Park, Wallasey. This was in addition to publicising “Chess in the Park”. For over 30 years, he assisted in quickplay administration, i.e. the Lightning and Blitz Tournaments.

Concomitantly, he was elevated to Honorary President of the Wirral Chess League in 1992. Remarkably, he held the position for the next 32 years.

Barry’s forty-year commitment to all those who wanted to play our great game was laudable and in the true spirit of civic duty and welfare.

Poor health finally took its toll. We applaud his selfless contribution to Wallasey Chess Club and the Wirral Chess League.