You're at a page dedicated to the memory of Barry Selwood.
This Title PICTURE - A Brummie Contra Dance.
Barry was here too - "on the door". In all respects a brilliant fellow worker. From Autumn 2015, all 2016 & into 17's Brummie Contras.
Barry was here too - "on the door". In all respects a brilliant fellow worker. From Autumn 2015, all 2016 & into 17's Brummie Contras.
Barry
In memory of Barry Selwood.
To express appreciation of a dancing companion, and kind administrator that we have lost.
Barry has been a true personal friend.
He had also made most helpful contributions to enable these Brummie Contra Dances.
It was thus, and sadly only relatively recently, that I'd come better to know Barry.
He was not one to omit an occasional constructive and usually helpful criticism,
as one would expect from a friend. Superbly, he drew early attention to problems, and keenly spotted my errors on this website, and on fliers, to allow their prompt correction.
Brummie Contras began at the Uni Chaplaincy. John Blyth kindly undertook to be doorman.
Barry helpfully collected “on the door” when difficulties caused Brummie Contras to need to move to Elmdon Heath.
John didn't wish his commitment to be permanent. Awaiting a stent, Barry was having to limit his dancing for health reasons,
We at Brummie Contras needed a doorman, and Barry kindly stepped in.
It's in fulfilling this most helpful role at the door, that many of you may have met Barry.
Barry fulfilled this role most effectively. Also doing much more for the Brummie Contra dances, with trust and reliability.
When increased costs and newly imposed petty restrictions at the Chaplaincy venue had virtually forced us to relocate, Barry kindly offered to make a lift available to anyone who might find it helpful, from University station ( the nearest to our previous venue ).
Barry's efficient arrangements (offering us 2 alternative costed choices in Bournville) already had fitted together everything to enable us, even after his untimely death, to use the Bournville Quaker Friends Meeting House venue for our Anniversary Dances on Good Fridays, when Elmdon Heath Hall's committee prefer that to stand empty.
This has been typical of Barry's helpfulness, kindness, and his thoughtful and thorough approach.
Elmdon Heath Hall's high price for Saturday Evening hire forced it to stand empty in November 2018 as the Brummie Contra again renews contacts with the Friends Hall, which Barry did much to develop.
Barry was a keen fellow dancer ( Contra at Halsway, Scottish Country Dance at the hall where his wake was held, & he was often at the Friday Folk dances in Moseley ).
He was a longterm member of the Wayfarers demonstration dance group in Birmingham.
I wish in all respects, that it had been my privilege to have better-known Barry for longer.
And I will greatly miss Barry's considerate and considerable support with the Brummie Contras.
At Sidmouth in 2017, I discovered from Jan Stewart how very much Barry had enjoyed that Festival in 2016. Having left a long gap since being there, Barry had recollected to her his happy memories of the Sidmouth festivals of much earlier years, and how they differed from those today.
Activity in Barry's life became much more restricted after he suffered the effects of a heart attack in September 2016.
It was difficult for Barry's friends or family to discover from Barry the full details of his cardiac problems -
nor critically, what advice he had been given, so that they might help him overcome his condition.
Barry did live his life fully though, despite these limitations of his health.
His funeral mass was held at St Alban's Church Highgate Birmingham, on Wednesday 8th February.
How very much Barry had contributed, and how fully he had lived his life was especially seen in the lovely series of assembled photographs and diverse mementoes on display at his wake.
Even his meticulously written geometry and history exercise books were there from his grammar school !
It was also clear to see there, his varied life-involvements and where Barry had performed an active role.
The many who came to Barry's wake were able to partake of excellent prepared food and refreshments.
These fuelled a great deal of ongoing opportunity for the enjoyable dancing and music of that memorable afternoon.
Were he able to have been there, Barry would have loved the dancing, and taken great pride in how his children Clare and Jeremy - had sought out to fulfil his wishes.
They'd enabled family, & Barry's many friends to be brought together - providing a wonderful wake in celebration of their father's life.
Wayfarers, and many others played their part in a joyous celebration.
André.
Barry's daughter Clare emailed this on 4th March 2017 :
"Jeremy and I would like to express our sincere thanks, and would like these to be passed on to all who helped with arranging the dancing and music at dad's wake. It all came together and was a fantastic send-off for dad - he would have loved the time at Dame Elizabeth Hall, Bournville. Such a shame he wasn't there to see all his friends having a blast.
We really enjoyed it and it was great to meet people involved in dad's life.
Thank you also for the donations which we have received - they are being passed on.
We have been asked to share photos from dad's funeral and wake, so this is a link to my Facebook post, which has been set to public access so anyone with a Facebook account can see this post."
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10208973803446498&id=1358831320
Clare apologises for not having sent this out sooner - "I was on holiday the day after the funeral and life has been a whirl since I got back.
Thanks again.
Clare "
To express appreciation of a dancing companion, and kind administrator that we have lost.
Barry has been a true personal friend.
He had also made most helpful contributions to enable these Brummie Contra Dances.
It was thus, and sadly only relatively recently, that I'd come better to know Barry.
He was not one to omit an occasional constructive and usually helpful criticism,
as one would expect from a friend. Superbly, he drew early attention to problems, and keenly spotted my errors on this website, and on fliers, to allow their prompt correction.
Brummie Contras began at the Uni Chaplaincy. John Blyth kindly undertook to be doorman.
Barry helpfully collected “on the door” when difficulties caused Brummie Contras to need to move to Elmdon Heath.
John didn't wish his commitment to be permanent. Awaiting a stent, Barry was having to limit his dancing for health reasons,
We at Brummie Contras needed a doorman, and Barry kindly stepped in.
It's in fulfilling this most helpful role at the door, that many of you may have met Barry.
Barry fulfilled this role most effectively. Also doing much more for the Brummie Contra dances, with trust and reliability.
When increased costs and newly imposed petty restrictions at the Chaplaincy venue had virtually forced us to relocate, Barry kindly offered to make a lift available to anyone who might find it helpful, from University station ( the nearest to our previous venue ).
Barry's efficient arrangements (offering us 2 alternative costed choices in Bournville) already had fitted together everything to enable us, even after his untimely death, to use the Bournville Quaker Friends Meeting House venue for our Anniversary Dances on Good Fridays, when Elmdon Heath Hall's committee prefer that to stand empty.
This has been typical of Barry's helpfulness, kindness, and his thoughtful and thorough approach.
Elmdon Heath Hall's high price for Saturday Evening hire forced it to stand empty in November 2018 as the Brummie Contra again renews contacts with the Friends Hall, which Barry did much to develop.
Barry was a keen fellow dancer ( Contra at Halsway, Scottish Country Dance at the hall where his wake was held, & he was often at the Friday Folk dances in Moseley ).
He was a longterm member of the Wayfarers demonstration dance group in Birmingham.
I wish in all respects, that it had been my privilege to have better-known Barry for longer.
And I will greatly miss Barry's considerate and considerable support with the Brummie Contras.
At Sidmouth in 2017, I discovered from Jan Stewart how very much Barry had enjoyed that Festival in 2016. Having left a long gap since being there, Barry had recollected to her his happy memories of the Sidmouth festivals of much earlier years, and how they differed from those today.
Activity in Barry's life became much more restricted after he suffered the effects of a heart attack in September 2016.
It was difficult for Barry's friends or family to discover from Barry the full details of his cardiac problems -
nor critically, what advice he had been given, so that they might help him overcome his condition.
Barry did live his life fully though, despite these limitations of his health.
His funeral mass was held at St Alban's Church Highgate Birmingham, on Wednesday 8th February.
How very much Barry had contributed, and how fully he had lived his life was especially seen in the lovely series of assembled photographs and diverse mementoes on display at his wake.
Even his meticulously written geometry and history exercise books were there from his grammar school !
It was also clear to see there, his varied life-involvements and where Barry had performed an active role.
The many who came to Barry's wake were able to partake of excellent prepared food and refreshments.
These fuelled a great deal of ongoing opportunity for the enjoyable dancing and music of that memorable afternoon.
Were he able to have been there, Barry would have loved the dancing, and taken great pride in how his children Clare and Jeremy - had sought out to fulfil his wishes.
They'd enabled family, & Barry's many friends to be brought together - providing a wonderful wake in celebration of their father's life.
Wayfarers, and many others played their part in a joyous celebration.
André.
Barry's daughter Clare emailed this on 4th March 2017 :
"Jeremy and I would like to express our sincere thanks, and would like these to be passed on to all who helped with arranging the dancing and music at dad's wake. It all came together and was a fantastic send-off for dad - he would have loved the time at Dame Elizabeth Hall, Bournville. Such a shame he wasn't there to see all his friends having a blast.
We really enjoyed it and it was great to meet people involved in dad's life.
Thank you also for the donations which we have received - they are being passed on.
We have been asked to share photos from dad's funeral and wake, so this is a link to my Facebook post, which has been set to public access so anyone with a Facebook account can see this post."
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10208973803446498&id=1358831320
Clare apologises for not having sent this out sooner - "I was on holiday the day after the funeral and life has been a whirl since I got back.
Thanks again.
Clare "
A dancing memory in appreciation of Barry Selwood. June 2015.
Frances Richardson and Barry Selwood enjoying a dance at the Lichfield Folk Festival of 2016
Seeking a picture of Frances, to announce her calling on Good Friday's Third Anniversary of these Contra Dances in 2017, I came across this picture of Barry enjoying a dance with her at the Lichfield Folk Festival of 2015.
It memorably reflects the joy which Barry found, when taking part in his social dancing.
The Third Anniversary Dance for Brummie Contras was with Nozzy playing -
(a duo from the foursome in the band pictured with the title above.)
Barry had set up the venue we used for that dance. We've used it also for many since.
Barry is able to be there now - in our memories, and in our appreciation.
It memorably reflects the joy which Barry found, when taking part in his social dancing.
The Third Anniversary Dance for Brummie Contras was with Nozzy playing -
(a duo from the foursome in the band pictured with the title above.)
Barry had set up the venue we used for that dance. We've used it also for many since.
Barry is able to be there now - in our memories, and in our appreciation.
- Go to top of the page with - DATES - of Dances - -
- - Go to TOP of the - HOME - page - -
- - VISIT page explaining - WHAT'S A CONTRA ? *
- Go to TOP of page - ABOUT - Brummie Contras at the Quaker Hall, Bournville -
- Go to TOP of page - ABOUT - Brummie Contras at Elmdon Heath Comm'y C, Solihull.
**
- - Go to TOP of the - HOME - page - -
- - VISIT page explaining - WHAT'S A CONTRA ? *
- Go to TOP of page - ABOUT - Brummie Contras at the Quaker Hall, Bournville -
- Go to TOP of page - ABOUT - Brummie Contras at Elmdon Heath Comm'y C, Solihull.
**
TITLE pic : On stage the youthful Band - Contra-Alt-Delete with Graham Knight calling.
Barry was here too - "on the door". In all respects a brilliant fellow worker. From Autumn 2015, all 2016 & into 17's Brummie Contras.
- Pic courtesy of Mandy Adams - Sunday 6th Nov 2016 - at our current venue 2.
Page last updated on 12/11/19
Barry was here too - "on the door". In all respects a brilliant fellow worker. From Autumn 2015, all 2016 & into 17's Brummie Contras.
- Pic courtesy of Mandy Adams - Sunday 6th Nov 2016 - at our current venue 2.
Page last updated on 12/11/19