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Spain, holidays in Torremolinos This photo is made on a boattrip along the coast from de Costa del Sol
My cycling days started when I became a member of the Harrow and Wembley Touring club in 1958 when I was 15. One summers evening they held an unofficial 10 TT for members who wanted to have a go at racing, I entered and on the day I started last out of 7 riders. I caught and passed everyone and of course and finished first with a time of 25-26sec. After the race some of the older members said to me that I was wasting my time in their club and should join a racing club, I did and joined the Kenton RC in those days you met each Friday at Vaughan Road School, West Harrow. I remember my first club run with the Kenton and I wondered what the hell was going on when suddenly everyone went mad which had never happened in the Harrow and Wembley club. Later I joined in but I did not know what was going on till I was told, it was going for a prime. I loved it but all I could do was barely keep up with the pace let alone hope that I could win one. In 1959 when I was just 16 I had my first real race for the Kenton (photo attached) I did not even have a club vest to ware. It was a Harrow and Ricky 25, I clocked 25-26sec. Later I came second in the Junior 30 and second in the junior10 and got third place that year in the junior B. A. R. Championships. In 1960 when I was 17yrs I won the junior 10 with a time of 24-11sec. I came third in the boys clubs of London Championships and won a medal for being part of the first team then came a big turning point in my life. On the day I was due to receive my medals and a silver cup for coming 1st in the 10 at the club annual dinner which were to be presented to me by David Handley I had a terrible accident at work and ended up in Moorefield's Eye Hospital Holborn, London. I was operated on that day and after having to lay as still as I could for three weeks with pads on both eyes so I could not see at all the day came when it was time to take the pads off. They saved my sight, I could see it was a miracle, I was so lucky but I cannot forget that no one from the club bothered to come and see me not even once. Riders from other clubs came to see me to ask me to ride for them and one in particular I remember as being Dave Spicer from the Marlborough, he seemed to come almost ever other day to see me even though of course I could not see him or anyone else. I did go on club runs with the Marlborough, but it did not workout and I went back with the Kenton. I did not really race that much after that and I now days when I look back I was a fool to stop and I deeply regret it. I trained really hard and was very hard to beat on a hill or a sprint for a prime, I reached a good standered and let it all go when I was just 17 years old. Copy from a mail written by Barry
This is how I remember Barry - when we were teenagers in Harrow. Ros.
This drawing is made by Barry himself from a photo of his son Spencer.
The aneurysme operation was dangerous and we had scary times as at one moment the doctor came to tell me that Barry would not make it because of problems after the operation but thanks God, all got back to OK.
This photo is taken in June 2003 - we were at my parents Golden Wedding Anniversary's party
This used to be one of our favorite photo of the two of us. This photo is put in a frame next to the computer desk
Christmas was a very important time for Barry. That's why I always put up a whole lot decorations with lots of lights what made the living room bright. And off course as meal a crab coctail as advance follewed by a Turkey with mushrooms, appel filled with cranberries, salad and baked potatoes and the traditional Christmas cake. It is very sad to know this was the last time I could make a nice Christmas meal for Barry. I enjoyed it and loved to see him very happy and enjoying his meal
Barry's birthday, 66 He had to go twice into hospital in February because of COPD problems. Luckely we could celebrate his birthday at home
Sparky, our sweetheart. A Tricolor Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, born January 2004. Barry choose him, not the other puppies to spend his life with us. Now Sparky is very sad too, we go together to the cemetary as we both love Barry a lot and Barry would have liked me to go there with Sparky, infact dogs are not allowed at cemetaries but Sparky does do no harm, just go lay there before Barry's grave, not moving at all We both miss Barry a whole lot and we will stay loving Barry forever
Barry always was very pleased with all that was done. He loved a crab coctail, done Belgian way
This was Barry's favorite photo taken in the hotelroom at the Belgian Seaside. He also choice this photo to be put on his memory card
moba
15 years agoOne of my favorite photo's.... a windy day at the Belgium seaside, Blankenberge