Nicholas Barber (18 Oct 1950 - 7 Jul 2020)

In loving memory of Nicholas Barber who sadly passed away on 7th July 2020
Nick was very proud of his Dorset heritage. Born in Dorchester, for the first few years of his life, with his parents, and his older sisters Jacqueline and Sue, he lived in the village of Long Bredy.
He always used to say that the beautiful countryside was his playground.
It was only recently he learned that his four times Great Uncle was Vice Admiral Thomas Masterman Hardy who served as flag captain to Lord Nelson.
And here there was a huge coincidence, as Hardy was born in Kingston Russell House in Long Bredy and was baptised in the same church as Nick!
Nick, together with his cousin Jane, appeared on a Westward television quiz show for children, which was similar to Top of the Form.

He went to college in Bristol, to train as a compositor when he was apprenticed to Henry Lings Limited.
At that time, Nick was often to be seen bombing around the countryside on his clapped-out scooter, dressed in the full mod gear.
He progressed to a mini that he used race round grass tracks at the weekend for sport.

His love for a sports car began with the purchase of a beloved Austin Healy Sprite, which they reluctantly sold, only because Chrissie was heavily pregnant with the first of their long awaited for children.
Nick was very proud of his three sons with Chrissie, twins Dan and James, and younger son Stephen.

A passionate rugby fan and supporter of the Dorchester Rugby Football Club, Nick was a player, mini-rugby coach and mentor.
As a player, Nick was known as “dancing Nicky” due to his energetic playing style on the field!
The Facebook page of Dorchester Rugby Club carried a tribute to Nick, with some lovely comments.
At this point it should be made clear that he was not a part of the team that went to Jersey in 1970’s and was subsequently banned from the island for enjoying themselves a little too much.
Nery a road-sign was safe from being spun around in celebration.

His boys will always remember fondly, the post rugby experimentation in the kitchen, creating ‘Blow Your Head off Curries’ or adding a ‘little something extra’ to traditional dishes with Uncle Jeremy. It is probably best we don’t mention the ‘piccalilli and digestive’ twist to their bubble and squeak!

The school breaks were filled with holidays and trips to visit family, many summers spent in the Caravan in the New Forest or on the beach at West-Wittering and ‘Magical Mystery Tours’ in and around the Dorset countryside.
During these family holidays the boys remember fondly Nick’s bedtime stories.
Terry and Tina toggle, made up on the spot, always made them laugh and kept them engrossed. Holidays in Greece when the boys were teens, were enjoyed greatly.
A boat trip around the coast of Corfu with Nick was a particularly cherished memory.

Nick and Marilyn were pen friends for some months before they met. Marilyn said she was impressed by the fact that his apostrophes were in the right place!
They were together for 17 years and married for 13 and a half years.
Nick had a very successful career in publishing, his last job being as book production manager for an online company producing medical books.
Nick was very supportive of Marilyn’s job as a news editor, and went above and beyond the call of duty by accompanying her to numerous amateur dramatic productions. He notched up around 70 pantomimes over the years! Oh yes he did.
They enjoyed some wonderful holidays, travelling to India, Kenya and the Caribbean, but Nick’s favourite was always the Greek Islands, and he had visited numerous ones.
Nick loved Wimborne Minster, but the only services he went to were at Christmas and Easter. He preferred to sit in the Minster on his own in quiet contemplation.
The numerous cards and comments Marilyn has received have a common theme. That Nick was ‘a gentleman and had a dry sense of humour’.
Nick was a lovely man and will be sorely missed.