The funeral of Fairfield legend Barrie Dack, who sadly passed away on 31 August, was held this morning, 28 September, at Holwell Crematorium. Funerals are seldom jolly events, but the best are an opportunity to honour and reflect on the person who has died. Barrie’s funeral was such an occasion. At his own direction, there were no flowers, no hymns or prayers, no black and certainly no hats! The chapel was filled with a large number of folks who arrived to say farewell to an amazing friend and remarkable man. A Civil Celebrant conducted the service while family and friends spoke of Barrie’s life and the immense contributions he has made to the lives of so many others. Music by Eartha Kitt and Queen was played. Edith Piaf concluded the service by reminding us that there is nothing to regret in a life so well lived.
Everyone who ever encountered Barrie will have a story to tell. In this Fairfield Matters tribute to him we have gathered some of those stories from people who knew him well. If you have your own memories you would like to share, please comment below or send them to editor@fairfieldmatters.com and we will add them to this page.
MARGARET
Barrie was the youngest of four, with four years’ difference between each sibling. He was born and educated in Letchworth, Wilbury School and Letchworth Grammar. We were at the latter together for two years. At Wilbury School, I remember a mutual love between Miss Ortan his Infant teacher and five year old Barrie!
He left LGS at 16, trained for journalism at the Citizen, Letchworth’s local paper, out each Friday, moving with it when it became the Stevenage Gazette. It was a very popular buy, there being no social media in those days. Was it maybe whilst working here that Barrie honed his skills at picking up gossip and keeping his fingers in all kinds of pie!
After leaving the Gazette and working on various projects, his passion for cooking led him to open a restaurant above the Broadway Cinema!
His passion for greyhounds saw him working with partners for The Greyhound Star and publishing his own book, ‘Greyhound Derby: the first 60 years,’ by Barrie Dack.
He enjoyed holidays, especially abroad – visiting friends in Australia, Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands – but he didn’t neglect England. He loved the Poole area (he was once serious about retiring there), York, the Lake District and the North Norfolk coast where he enjoyed visiting his sister Moira and her husband Peter. He and I spent several Christmases and New Years on the beautiful sunny island of Madeira.
STEVE
It’s difficult to know where to start in my tribute to Barrie. During my time as ward councillor for the village and indeed since, our relationship has covered just about every emotional and professional mood, but always maintained a respectful and professional tone.
My first introduction was in 2015 as I sought to be elected to the Stotfold and Langford ward at Central Beds Council. It was abundantly clear at his dissatisfaction that Fairfield didn’t appear in the ward branding and something we continued to work on until this year. Since its ‘divorce’ from Stotfold, Barrie maintained a rapier-like focus on the independence of the village and proved a worthy activist in that respect.
We enjoyed many highs and lows, but throughout his stoic experience shone through and while differences of opinions weren’t uncommon, he always maintained a respect for any well reasoned position … even when I was in the wrong.
His currency with officers at CBC was high and until May this year and I suspect for some years to come, I will wryly recount my earliest recollection of one his greatest skills, the use of language. Two months or so into my tenure, Barrie as Chairman turned to the Clerk at a parish meeting and very firmly said “I want it recorded that for the fourth month running, the Police have failed to send an officer here, to tell us that Fairfield has no crime to report!” Well it made me laugh.
A wonderful wit, coupled with the utmost professionalism and a forgivable ability to probe.
Barrie Dack’s passing will leave a huge hole in the lives of those who knew him well and the community of Fairfield. RIP.
GEOFF
When asked to write a paragraph or two about my good friend Barrie Dack, I first looked back at what I had said when he stepped down from the Parish Council. Unashamedly I have chosen to edit that with some small additions and changes.
Barrie Dack and I met soon after we both moved to Fairfield, 16 years ago. There were two things we immediately found we had in common. We had both lived in Letchworth and we shared an enthusiasm for real ale. Barrie had worked as a regular contributor to the local press on various matters but particularly on sport. He had a foray as a restaurateur for a while and was still editing and preparing for print some local historical publications.
Once it became apparent that Fairfield needed to establish itself separately from Stotfold, Barrie became the vigorous leader of ‘Action for Fairfield Community’. Eventually establishing our own Parish Council, there was no question about who should have the honour of being the first Chairman. Then, pretty much in parallel, there was the opening of the Community Hall to organise. Right from the start, when a core of residents decided to take some action and see the Community Hall open, Barrie was there with us. It was he who presented the commemorative plaque to our then MP Alistair Burt. Barrie was one of the first trustees of the Community Hall and for many years served as a Treasurer.
Barrie was already an ill man when I first met him. When he acquired a dog, it was partly to encourage himself to take more exercise. The dog, Charlie, was a great companion for a good many years. When Barrie went on holiday or needed overnight hospital treatment, Charlie was a welcome guest in our own home.
Personally I enjoyed a more humble position supporting Barrie in his various social roles. Something which I particularly appreciated was being able to disagree, sometimes quite strongly, with Barrie, but never falling out with him when our opinions differed.
If you wish to acknowledge the contributions Barrie made to our emerging community, there would be no better way of doing so than by making your own contribution to the FPC, the Community Hall or the FPRA. We shall all miss the contributions he made to so many aspects of our community, and I will miss him as a true friend.
PENNY
I have known Barrie for over 15 years. We first met him when he knocked on the door of my daughter’s new house in Hitchin. He was looking for some post that had gone astray. My daughter had bought his house!
Later on, when we moved to Fairfield, we came across Barrie again, when he came knocking on doors garnering support for his big idea to declare UDI from Stotfold. We were convinced by his arguments and signed his petition. His, and others’, campaign came to fruition and Fairfield became a parish in its own right!
Then, I was persuaded by Barrie to join the new parish council, was duly elected with Barrie and spent the next 10 years as a councillor alongside him.
He was so knowledgeable about everything, always knew the answer and history to every question. His finger was on the pulse of every aspect of Fairfield community life. ‘Ask Barrie’ was always our go to, because he would know. Who will we ask now?
KATE
Amongst all the very many other huge contributions that Barrie made to the local community, he was a founding member of the Fairfield Wine Group, and until recently attended every meeting, retaining a good humour even when he was struggling with his health. He was so helpful to me, always keen to ensure the meetings went smoothly, and I shall remember with amusement our regular battles with the projector!
I know that you will all have your own fond memories of Barrie, and we will join in raising a toast to him at our next meeting – a big red wine of course, which Barrie would have enjoyed. Our thoughts and condolences are with Barrie’s friends and family and he will be much missed from our gatherings.
KATRINA
It was an absolute pleasure to work with Barrie for Fairfield Parish Council. During those ten years, I learned a lot from him but most importantly I gained a good friend. From the very first time we spoke there was a connection between us which made working together so easy and enjoyable. He was happy to share his knowledge and always worked hard to get the best for the village he loved living in. I feel privileged to have had him as a friend and now just miss him.
MONICA
Barrrie my neighbour
I moved into Fairfield 10 years ago and the first person I met was Barrie, he was my next-door neighbour. We were out the back in the garage compound, he was explaining the alternate-week bin system to me. It was approximately a year before I stopped asking him which bin it was this week, he was very patient.
Back then I was working away a lot and for the first couple of years I was really only ever there at weekends and even then not much. I received a message one day at work that made me laugh. It was from Barrie asking if I’d send him a photo because he wanted to make sure it was me coming into the house and not an intruder.
Much like those who would stop him for a chat while out walking his rescue dog, Charlie, I would often collar him on his way in or out about something or other, the gutters, the bins, did he see that kid nearly cause a pile-up on his electric scooter yesterday, that sort of thing. It soon became apparent he was something of a mover and shaker around Fairfield, so much so that on being asked where I lived I took to replying, simply, “next door to Barrie”. Rarely was any further explanation required.
And then there was ‘fence-gate’. The fence between our two gardens was rickety when I moved in, which was a pretty poor show since the houses were only a few years old at that point. He gently (but regularly) prodded me to do something about it and one Christmas Eve it came to a head when it nearly blew down taking a load of his shrubs with it. I called out a bloke, who shored it up until I could sort out getting a new one. Meanwhile his neighbours on the other side were getting some work done with their garden which led to some sort of dispute over the fence on that side. One day I got a knock on the door, it was Jenny his neighbour (since moved). She told me that she’d been looking at her house purchase documents to determine whose boundary was which and did I know that the boundary between mine and Barrie’s was in fact Barrie’s and not mine? No I flippin well didn’t, but I did now! I took great pleasure going round and knocking on his door waving my copy of that boundary document at him and telling him that his fence is in a terrible state and would he please do something about it and be careful of my roses while you’re at it! As a Fairfield councillor and a stickler for the rules, he really had nowhere to go with that one.
He got a nice new one put in, concrete boards and posts, the lot, he even gave me the choice of which side of the panels I wanted on my side. He still owes me 180 quid though from that time I got it fixed. I’ll let you off this time Barrie, call it payment for all that insider Fairfield gossip you furnished me with – I shall miss that and you now.
Monica
Address: Next door to Barrie.
ANTONIA
Barrie first appeared on the scene for our family many, many years ago. One of his hobbies included baking, which worked in favour of my husband and son, especially during covid times as they absolutely loved the treats they received. Most weeks he would bake them bread, cake, cookies, muffins….and any other such lovely goodies.
Over the years, he spent a fair chunk of time scrolling Facebook (which he always referred to as ‘faceache’). He enjoyed discussing the Fairfield Forum with me when I was admin and he was always full of wisdom and quick answers where and when they were needed, especially where local matters were concerned. He was sooooo knowledgeable about our local area!
I always try to attend Parish Council meetings when I can, this keeps me up to date with what is happening in our village and Barrie would always be fed up with me if I asked something afterwards that was discussed in the meeting or that had been published in one of the many updates that he wrote 
It was only last summer that Barrie came for several BBQs and a glass or two of red wine. We loved listening to his stories and opinions on the local doctors’ surgeries, Fairfield and life in general 
Every time a helicopter goes over I smile and think of Barrie with such fond memories. Our game was to see who could text the other with a helicopter emoji first! 
AMANDA
I can’t quite remember when I first met Barrie. It was in connection with Fairfield Parish Council way back.
The first thing I do remember about him, which was continuous all through the years I knew him, was his passion and commitment for our new Village.
What he didn’t know about Fairfield wasn’t worth knowing, from the early stages of planning right up until his passing.
His passion, drive and energy to instigate, support and protect our community was phenomenal, and Fairfield wouldn’t exist the way it does now without this from him.
From the conception of Fairfield being its own Parish away from Stotfold, he was a force. I was lucky enough to work alongside him for Fairfield Parish Council. In fact, it was one of the reasons I stood for election. I realised people can actually make a difference in their communities.
I had the utmost respect for his work for Fairfield and for him personally.
If you were lucky enough to know him, you’ll know what a kind and caring man he was. His dry and quick sense of humour was refreshing and honest.
We were lucky to have him in public service for us for so long. I was lucky to know him and I will miss him.
VAL
Our friend Barrie
Not long after Barrie moved into his house he telephoned to introduce himself to me by saying ‘look out of your front window’. I did as I was asked and saw a man on the other side of the green waving from his window. It was Barrie. I don’t remember how he got my number but when I found out that he had been a journalist I realised that, wherever he got it from, he would have thought ‘this could be useful one day’. He was a mine of information be it local history, computers or what was happening on Fairfield.
CINDY
Barrie moved to Fairfield soon after us. The first time I met him was after he had spoken to Peter about the lack of bollards at the crossing near his home. His concern was for the young children on their way to and from school. After their meeting with the agent, bollards very soon arrived. This was probably the first of the very many things that Barrie got involved with on Fairfield.
Perhaps it was because there were very few of our age group on this part of Fairfield that we became friends, or more likely Barrie’s sociable nature. Whichever it was, along with others, we were soon meeting up regularly. He had a dry sense of humour and was happy to be teased. His love of baking, cooking generally and gardening, including flowers, gave us the opportunity to tease him about ‘keeping in touch with his feminine side’ (a phrase he used). We would often remind him of this if he was wearing a brighter than usual shirt.
His abundant production of vegetables would be communicated by the telephone being answered with ‘Bronte Organics’ – and delicious they were too.
Barrie was a very patient, cheerful and friendly man who we never saw lose his temper. He was fiercely independent and rarely asked us for help of any kind. Although at this time he had recently been in hospital and was still having treatment – he didn’t mention it.
Over the last few years he had many hospital appointments. In recent months he was not well enough to socialise and, apart from lifts to appointments, still mostly refused help from his friends.
We will miss him and we will not forget him.
PAULINE
The phrase that comes to mind for Barrie is ‘Mr Community’ and I guess it was this common passion to see Fairfield as a place that is safe, happy and where all residents felt that they belonged that drew he and I together.
Barrie had his finger in many ‘pies’, working tirelessly heading up various bodies and organising community activities. He wanted to ensure that everyone that lived here felt valued and included. Despite his own ill health, he was a pioneer and persistent in his efforts to establish Fairfield as a thriving community.
Barrie was also a kind and thoughtful neighbour who always had his finger on the pulse! He had a wicked sense of humour (in all the best ways!) and he loved ‘friendly’ banter. He gave the impression of being a grumpy ol’ man, but inside he was as soft as butter! I will miss him.
I loved organising events with Barrie. Our most notable, just for our neighbours, was our ‘socially distanced’ tea party for the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, accompanied by Dame Vera Lynn, of course!
Barrie’s desire was to make Fairfield a community that we would all be proud to be part of … and I feel he succeeded! Well done, Barrie!
Fairfield Matters 