2023 Obit: Barry Laing - UK

Subject: Obit: Barry Laing - UK 2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Nov 23 - 09:12 PM

A remark was directed to the FB page but is being redirected here instead. A search on the name doesn't bring anything up (news-wise) but Mr. Laing had a number of mentions around Mudcat. He seems to have been involved with several groups, clubs, and activities.

A remark in the Dave Bryant obit says he was a member of Skinners Rats.

Dave Bryant posted a link to that group back in 2004.

A guest posted information that he had been a member of a site or group called Crayfolk.

Member The Doctor (Peter Taylor) posted about participants on the Coach House at Farningham CD, noting that Laing was a fiddle player on the disc.

These are tidbits I come up with from searching Mudcat. Those of you who knew him locally can fill in the details.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barry Laing - UK 2023
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 21 Nov 23 - 02:38 PM

Barry was a lovely man, a great fiddle player and singer and a real character. He was the mainstay of Skinners Rats who I called for on many an occasion. He also played fiddle in our band from time to time. He had not been well but his death was not immediately expected and he died peacefully at home in bed. Hoping that soon we will hear of a musical get together to celebrate his life and give him a good send off. He will be much missed. RIP Barry.

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Barry Laing - UK
From: The Doctor
Date: 23 Nov 23 - 08:06 AM

I knew Barry back in the early 1970s, when I sang at Farningham. He was a talented fiddler, a member of Skinner's Rats, intermittent member of the Crayfolk, and various other ad hoc groups as occasion demanded. He was also the reason for my member name. Nearly 20 yeras ago now I came across the Rats' web site and found that they had made some CDs. The contact was Barry, so I rang him and explained who I was. I said I played at Farningham, not really expecting him to remember. There was a brief pause and then he said."Damn your eyes, doctor, I'll skin you alive", a line from The Black Cook, which I used to sing. It caught on from there.
Sadly we are reaching the age at which friends keep leaving us. But Barry will have gone to join the heavenly Crayfolk. I'm not so sure about rats in heaven. As I now live in Leeds, and have Parkinson's, it is most unlikely that I would make it to a celebration, but I shall raise a glass.

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Barry Laing - UK
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 23 Nov 23 - 12:15 PM

While living in Kent, about 1975, Barry called me & asked if I'd become a weekend member of Crayfolk. It involved a lovely trip to Dartford's twin town near Frankfurt.
I haven't seen him for nearly 40 years, I enjoyed his company & music & sorry to hear this news

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Barry Laing - UK
From: GUEST,RJM
Date: 25 Nov 23 - 09:51 AM

I met him many times,a friendly encouraging man, part of the Skinners rats group. I had the pleasure of gigging at the Farnigham folk club,
The club use to run on fridays and sundays and was one that I went to as a floor singer, and which Barry and skinners rats gave me the chance to sing at.RIP Barry

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Barry Laing - UK
From: GUEST,RJM
Date: 25 Nov 23 - 11:15 AM

He was known to his friends as The Bishop of Welling

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Barry Laing - UK
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 16 Dec 23 - 10:48 AM

I,too,remember Barry from Skinner's Rats. He was a very good fiddler and much in demand. I remember some excellent nights at local folk clubs, including ours, where he thoroughly enjoyed playing for us. I am sending my condolence to all those who know and love him and `i have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread. RIP Barry (Bishop of Welling!)

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Barry Laing - UK
From: GUEST,Chris Roche
Date: 23 Jan 24 - 10:33 AM

I knew Barry over the years it is not mentioned here but he oft times was with Pete (Blossom) Currie when he worked as a dive on Londo PLA port of london authority work as his trusted minder he sang once in a while as a replacement in The Shanty crew on gigs and all rounder a good guy to have around.

Farewell Bishop of Welling only sorry I did not hear until today.

Chris R

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Barry Laing - UK
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jan 24 - 03:36 PM

I knew Barry for years, but was only lucky enough to work with him on one occasion. He arrived at the venue and I said "sorry, but i have to use a capo to make the music fit my voice so I might be playing in weird keys". Barry said "don't worry about keys, do one lap an' I'll pick it up".
He was, obviously, flawless. I'd do my bit and mutter "Off you go", and the room would be treated to the most beautiful, sensitive break.

Pure joy, I am not worthy, but I'll never, ever, forget.

RIP
Love
Brian

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Barry Laing - UK
From: GUEST,Keith a.k.a. Henry
Date: 25 Mar 24 - 12:14 PM

Dear Barry, a man of many names and many talents. I was at school with him from 1960 onwards, we called him Lou. Many will know he was also called Barrington Ponsonby Smythe. He was a "one off" at school and remained a "one off" for the rest of his life. A great musician with a great and bizzare scence of humour, and a heart of pure gold.
So sorry to hear that you've gone my dear friend, God bless. Keith

Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Barry Laing - UK
From: GUEST,Keith a.k.a. Henry
Date: 25 Mar 24 - 01:03 PM

Sitting here going down memory lane and here are a couple of tales involving Barry. Those that knew him will recognise the character.
Circa 1962 Barry, a mutual friend Knobby Clark and I set out on a cycling trip to the south coast. Me on my bike, Barry and Knobby on and ancient tandem that Barry had recently acquired. We were descending a very long and steep hill towards Westerham, I was in the lead but not for long. The brakes on the tandem had failed and with the added weight of huge panniers, it quickly picked up speed. I remember them on the outside of the road passing all the cars, they arrived, freewheeling into Westerham about 20 minute before me, Barry of course had a massive grin on his face.

In the late sixties Barry was the proud owner of an old Sunbeam Talbot
One evening on the way home from The Bull at Farningham he sort of lost control, no one knows why. However he drove straight across the middle of a roundabout on the A20 at about 80mph according to Ben Adams who was in the passenger seat and then down the road towards Foots Cray. The jouney ended with the poor Sunbeam on it's roof on the forecourt of Sidcup Bus Garage. They both emerged unscathed and of course Barry was smiling.