Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011

Subject: Obit: Len Berry
From: GUEST,Polly Squeezebox
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 04:21 PM

Message from Bob Berry posted on Facebook:
"Today is a sad day as my lovely Dad left this world today to go to the great singaround in the sky. Sorry to give this news on such a celebration day but tought that you would like to know. Thanks for your music Dad and may you never be forgotten. Bob and Gill
"

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 05:01 PM

How very sad, a good friend over many years. I'm thinking of all the family tonight.
Andy

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 06:53 PM

Len Berry lived in Bonser Street camberwell London when a young man just a few doors away from my grandparents and a street away from where I was born in Rainbow street. I liked Len and still like Barbara immensly. I was pleased to have helped a little bit in their sterling work with the Alfred Williams Folksong collection.
I have good memories of Len. His sense of humour and his down to earth attitude to life. I was glad to interview them both for the BBC some twenty years ago.
I am so sad Len is no longer with us. He will be missed. Both Mally and I send our thoughts to Bob and Gill and of course to Barbara.
Nick

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Cats
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 06:56 PM

Len was a great inspiration to many in the folk world. A very much respected, gentle man who will be much missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Bobert
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 06:58 PM

Sniff~

B~

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 07:28 PM

Very sad to hear, a right nice man who it was a pleasure to call friend

Joe and Maureen Nicholson.

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 08:52 PM

another inspiring & loved man lost to family, friends & the folk world

sandra

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,Larry Saidman
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 09:27 PM

When I was a kid I loved the Dovells. Hully Gully Baby was one of my favorite songs....particularly Len's lead vocals!

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,Larry Saidman
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 09:49 PM

http://youtu.be/QBAXnjVZQqc

Not sure how to post a link on mudcat. You may have to put this in your browser. It's Hully Gully Baby by the Dovells, with Len Barry on lead vocal.

As a youth I loved Solomon Burke, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, The Miracles, Gladys Knight and the Pips....and for some reason I thought, at the time, that The Dovells were also a black group.   It's obvious to me, listening now, that they weren't....but Len Barry's vocals sure were soulful.

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 04:02 AM

LEN will be laughing at the last poster's confusion!

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 05:36 AM

len berry, not len barry

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: doc.tom
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 05:38 AM

Really sad to hear the news. Our thoughts are with Barbara and with Bob & Gill.
Tom & Barbara B

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 05:54 AM

Very sad to see this, and at such a time. I have many happy memories of Len, especially at Towersey, Chippenham and Kirklington.

Our thoughts are with Bob, Gill and Barbara.

Kitty (and Derek)

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 07:24 AM

Fond memories of Len and Barbara over many years ! The Great Singaround has just got a LOT Louder !

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Mick Tems
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 07:56 AM

Fond memories of Calennig singing at Kirklington Folk Club, where Len and Barbara were the organisers. They moved up to Chirk in the Welsh borders, where Pat and I visited them - Len had his workshop, where he used to make traditional toys. They both came down to Llantrisant Folk Club, where Barbara sand her wonderful self-composed tune to the words of I Wandered By A Brookside. Later, I Wandered By A Brookside was recorded by an artist and became a hit, thanks to Gordon Potts who managed to secure some much-needed royalties for Barbara. As Leadfingers said: The Great Singaround has just got a LOT Louder!

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 10:01 AM

Sad news, Polly.

I've added Len to the Mudcat Memorial thread.

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Kevin Adams
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 10:45 AM

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: gnu
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 11:14 AM

My condolences.

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,Larry Saidman
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 11:48 AM

Sorry about that mistake.

My condolences to the family!

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 01:31 PM

I too have fond memories of Len and Barbara in the days before they moved to Wales and I'm really sorry to hear this sad news. My thoughts are with Barbara, Bob and Gill.

Mick

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,Lady Policeman
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 03:11 PM

A lovely couple, we stayed with them on our way up to Wales one year and always looked out for them at Towersey. Still treasure my Portway Pedlars album that Len gave me with Wandered By A Brookside on. Our condolences to Barbara, Bob and Gill.

Bill and Kath Parry

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,The Admiral & his Lady
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 05:11 PM

Don't know how to express how we feel.
We have known the family for so long, that words cannot come close to our sadness. However, how many happy years and experiences we have enjoyed.
Glad that Len is at peace and with that great singaround, but missing such a wonderful,generous & talented person.
Our thoughts are with Barbara, Bob & Gill.
Love
Tony & Pearl xx

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Chris_S
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 05:35 PM

We were so lucky to have Len and Barabara as regulars at our folk club for many years and I have many fond memories of them playing and singing together. Rest in peace Len, you certainly warmed many people's hearts with your playing and singing over the years.

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 06:33 PM

I spoke to Bob earlier tonight and repeated my message above. Here is a testament to Len and Barbara. When I was lucky enough to find the West Country Traditional singer Bill House, and his son Norman, Norman came to a few Folk Clubs out of curiosity at first and later as a regular. He ended up singing at the Loghborough festival, singing his grandfathers songs.
He had no interest in most club singers he met, but was struck with Len and Barbara, and every time we met one of his first questions in his strong Dorset accent was 'Have you seen they Portway Pedlars recently? Them's the best I've heard'.He sent me a tape of his singing. Among the songs I was amused to find that he had learned 'The long tailed Blue' and was singing it in the local clubs.
So a third generation Traditional singer gave his respect to Len and Barbara over all other club singers (including me) That to me says it all. Len was valued and we miss him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,The Admiral & his Lady
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 08:08 PM

When you heard Len sing a song it stayed sung.....

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Raggytash
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 03:25 AM

When I moved to Oxford in 1980 Len and Barbara took me and my wife under their wings, they were kindness personified, encouraged everyone they met and offered friendship. On one occasion in particular my mother and father visited during Lamb Ale and Dad was amazed by the singing,led by Len, in the Oxford Arms. Happy memories of this lovely couple, my sincere condolescences to Barabara, Bob and Gill.

Sleep peacefully Len and thank-you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,banjoman
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 05:22 AM

Sad news. Best memory is of Len leading a singaround in the Whitchurch Silk Mill and the sounds of the weaving looms accompanying Poverty Knock which Len selected as an appropriate somg for the location.

Sadly missed

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 07:03 AM

Oops, finger slipped by a few miles, I should have typed Kirtlington!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Brian Peters
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 07:18 AM

Very sad news. Len and Barbara gave me words of encouragement at an early stage, that I valued a lot. I enjoyed their unpretentious and infectious approach to music as well.

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 07:31 AM

I have maqny good memories of singing occasions shared with Len & Barbara, and am truly sad to learn that Len has gone. The folk scene needs people like him, he will be sorely missed. Condolences to barbara, Bob & Gill. Farewell Len. Rest easy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: RTim
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 05:09 PM

Such sad news. I read about Len's passing on Facebook over Christmas, but now back home I can write a brief message here.
I have known Len & Barbara (& Bob) since around 1977 or 78; the old folk club in the wooden village hall in Kirtlington were great nights, and then when I helped Len with the revival of The Kirtlington Morris, we became firm friends. He moved to Wales, I moved to the USA.
It is some years since we talked, but this does not diminish my memories of a good man, a fine singer, a great husband and father. My thoughts are with Barbara and the rest of the family.
Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,Julian & Enid
Date: 31 Dec 11 - 06:26 AM

Please add our condoclences to the well deserved long, long list. A truely lovely man. We'll miss him.

All our love to Barbara, Bob, Gill and Peter.   Julian & Enid.

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,Ian Chesterman & Wrexham Folk Club
Date: 31 Dec 11 - 10:55 AM

Sorry to hear the sad news of Len's passing. He was always a gentleman and always enthusiastic about the music both him and Barbara loved. We will miss him at the club as will many others and send all our condolences to Barbara who has lost her soul mate after 60 years of happy marriage.
Ian

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jan 12 - 03:01 PM

Just found this thread and many thanks for all the kind comments about Len, he was a true gent and will be sadly missed by so many.

The Funeral is this Friday in Chick and we will all be seeing him out in style as befitting a grand chap and my father.

Many thanks for all the cards that Mum has received

Pete Berry
(The other Son)

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,Skipy
Date: 20 Jan 12 - 05:26 PM

Gone but not forgotton.
RIP mate
Skipy

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 25 Dec 21 - 08:11 PM

Ten years have now elapsed since the passing of Len. I hope his family will find some comfort in knowing that we still talk of him with very, very fond memories.

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 26 Dec 21 - 03:14 AM

Well said. We still miss Len and Barbara.

Subject: RE: Obit: Len Berry 25 Dec 2011
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 26 Dec 21 - 06:31 AM

They come up in conversation regularly still, I refered to their performance of a song just last month.

Robin