2014 Obit: Barbara Berry (wife of Len)

Subject: Obit: Barbara Berry
From: RTim
Date: 08 Dec 14 - 12:59 PM

I received the sad news yesterday that Barbara Berry (wife of Len) died recently.
Barbara and Len where well known as The Portway Peddlers and before they moved to the welsh borders some 20 years ago were stalwart original members of Kirtlington Morris - Len was the 1st revival Squire and Barbara the leading musician.
Barbara was also very well known for her treatments of some of Alfred William's collected folk songs.
Condolences from me to The Berry Family - notably Bob and his brother Pete.
Len & Barbara were great friends of mine from both the singing and Morris world, and we spent many happy hours together in music and dance. I owe them so much and I will never forget them.

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Berry
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 08 Dec 14 - 03:02 PM

It is with a great degree of sadness I read this.

Barbara,and Len, were such kind, generous people. I am lucky enough to have counted them as friends.

They looked after me and my good lady when we moved to Oxford in 1980.

They looked after many, many people.

Barbara fed us on numerous occasions, they welcomed us into their home and cared for and about us and others.

Sleep well Barbara.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Berry
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Dec 14 - 03:08 PM

Dreadfully sad news. Barbara was a wonderful lady. The folk scene will miss her. My sympathies to Bob and the family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Berry
From: GUEST,Rattler
Date: 08 Dec 14 - 07:09 PM

I have fond memories of Barbara & Len from my early years at Chippenham Folk Festival in the 80's. Almost impossible to think of them singly, they were warm, welcoming and with a lively interpretation of the tradition, they embodied the music of a Wessex I had already grown to love through Hardy.

English "Roots" at it's best!

Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Berry 2014
From: cptsnapper
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 02:16 AM

Very sad news: condolences to Bob and the family

Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Berry 2014
From: banjoman
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 05:18 AM

will be sadly missed. I remember them conducting a sing around in Whitchurch Silk Mill and singing poverty knock accompanied by the sound of the spinning machines. Lovely people and well remembered

Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Berry 2014
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 08:20 AM

What else is there to add ??

Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Berry 2014
From: Brian Peters
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 10:24 AM

Len and Barbara were residents on my first guest appearance at Nettlebed FC, and gave me a lot of support. Lovely people, and so sad to hear of Barbara's passing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Berry 2014
From: Mr Red
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 01:09 PM

Condolences to Len & Bob.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Berry 2014
From: GUEST,Julian & Enid
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 02:44 PM

Our condolences to Bob, Gill and Peter.

Barbara's legacy will continue with the beautiful tunes she wrote, especially those to the words collected by Alfred Williams.

All our love from Julian & Enid

Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Berry 2014
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 09 Dec 14 - 03:47 PM

My condolences to all who know and love Barbara. I have added her name to the "In Memoriam" thread.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Berry (wife of Len) (2014)
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Mar 18 - 06:54 PM

I recall Len and Barbara, they were often at the towersey festival which I was a regular at during the 1980's and 1990's, I had not attended since the 2000, one so was not aware of what became for these dear friends whose voices were most enjoyable and I enjoyed the village all open stage they often ran where we cold perform our own material. Fondly remembered and Sadly missed.

Subject: RE: 2014 Obit: Barbara Berry (wife of Len)
From: rich-joy
Date: 23 Mar 18 - 08:38 PM

I have a 2006 CD of her Son Bob, and daughter-in-law Gill, called "Bittersweet", which contains some of Barbara's compositions. Here's one, "I Wandered by a Brookside" that I found on YTube :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cjFI7AUC9Y

ENJOY!!
R-J
Down Under