Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023)

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker
From: StephenH
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 03:06 PM

I first encountered Les Barker at the Redcar Folk Festival in, I think,
1977 - on a visit to the UK.
I was immediately taken with his odd, warm sense of humour. He was kind
enough to sign a copy of "Mrs. Ackroyd's Diary" ("Christmas Greetings from Mrs. Ackroyd + to a lesser extent me Les Barker")
"Have You Got Any News of the Iceberg?" became a family favourite.

Thanks for all the pleasure, Les.
My condolences to family and friends.

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 02:40 PM

So sad to hear this but he will never be forgotten.

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 02:27 PM

What sad news. RIP friend. Glad I got to see him at Cleckheaton Festival. We will miss you.

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker
From: Folkimages
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 02:21 PM

So sad, a lovely man that I first met at the Chorley July Wakes Festival in 1976 and have seen many a time over the years, I always left him with a smile on my face.
Here's a montage that I made of my photos for his retirement:
Les Barker

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 02:10 PM

I remember him with great fondness on the two (or was it three...) occasions we had him at the Tree Inn folk club in Stratton. Him and his déjà vu and occasional table... :-)

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker
From: Acorn4
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 02:06 PM

Completely unique and irreplaceable.

Sad news indeed. RIP Les.

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker
From: GUEST,The Sandman
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 02:05 PM

Sad news, I shared a room with him once at Saltburn Festival , a pleasant easy going man with a quirky sense of humour who never did anyone any harm.R I P

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 02:00 PM

R.I.P.

A truly funny poet, a humble man, and a great draw to folk clubs whenever he made an appearance.

He'll be missed.

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 02:00 PM

Oh no! How very sad. The passing of a true genius.
RIP, friend.

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker
From: r.padgett
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 01:35 PM

I have just seen reported that Les Barker has sadly passed on ~ he brought laughter to Folk clubs and was such a lovely bloke ~the kind you would find at Folk clubs, quiet and unassuming ~a clever bloke nonetheless ~ work and play decisions to the fore and no doubt quality of life

Ray

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 01:12 PM

Awwww, what a rotten shame :-( Les was a wonderful poet and person. Condolences to all his loved ones. I hope he has written his own eulogy!

Subject: RE: Obit: We have lost Les
From: GUEST,Roger
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 12:49 PM

Sad news. I remember him well from the clubs in the Manchester area.
RIP Les.

Subject: Obit: We have lost Les
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Jan 23 - 12:37 PM

Sad news today that we have lost the wonderfully funny and clever poet Les Barker

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Satirical recitations by Les Barker