Dr Allan J Whyte pays tribute to his friend, Barry John Wales, who was twice the mayor of March.
Barry John Wales: 1940 -2023
At the bottom of my road there is a pub called the Men of March. I have never been inside it but I have always thought about the people who drink there. Are they March people through and through? a secret society or an elite group like those who belong to MENZA. Barry John Wales was certainly a man of March. He was born in March and dedicated much of his life towards the benefit of the people of March.
A teacher of science and sports at Sir Harry Smith School in Whittlesey, he was active in the NUT and was dedicated to the labour movement all his life. He was elected the labour party Fenland District Councillor and served as the mayor of March from 1999-2000. That honour swapped between parties even though there was a Conservative majority. This achievement was even more outstanding when you consider that Barry was elected for a second term consecutively from 2000-2001.
During his time as district councillor, he was a Labour councillor for March West/East, and he was a member of the following committees: leisure, policy, environmental services, appeals, best value, and staff.
Whilst still a teacher, Barry trained as a psychotherapist at Cambridge and worked with prisoners at Whitemoor prison and later with people addicted to alcohol for Drink Sense.
As a mayor, he established a scheme to alleviate the growing problem of homeless young people in March sleeping rough. He helped to secure funding for the youth club ‘Young People March’ and with Peter Scolding he helped to secure the funds to purchase the March Town Hall.
As a Justice of the Peace in March in the 1980’s Barry was a prime mover in the ‘Alternatives in Fenland’ scheme, a government initiative to find alternative methods to incarceration for youngsters coming into contact with the judiciary. Barry was involved in recruiting and training volunteers for the scheme with the help of a Fenland social worker John Bugg (whose passionate campaigning on other matters earned him a full page obituary in the Guardian).
Barry was a cricket coach for the MCC and took a party of young people on a cricket tour to Africa. He was also a member of the March town rugby club the March Lions. Barry was passionate about spots and could often be found on the golf course or teasing the ball over the net in a game of tennis but his real love was for cricket.
Barry also loved nature was keen bird watcher and enjoyed playing bridge.
I spent many a fascinating hour listening to Barry who took a deep interest in politics both local and national. He was a humble man and never boasted of his achievements. He lived for many years in South Africa with his South African wife Audrey and was a committed anti-partied campaigner. Barry was very proud of his three children Stephan, Richard and Duncan.
I will always treasure those moments that I spent in Barry’s company. The town of March has lost a wonderful servant and friend.
The civic flag has been lowered at Fenland District Council offices at Fenland Hall, March, and will remain at half-mast until Mr Wales’ funeral. Photo attached.
The Chairman will pay a tribute to Mr Wales at the next Full Council meeting on 11 December, and a one minute’s silence will be held.
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