Players and spectators at Penrith’s cricket, rugby and football clubs stood in silence last week in memory of Barry Kendall who has died aged 87 after a battle against ill health.
A larger than life character, Barry was a friend to many — a kind, generous man, but one who did not suffer fools gladly.
He was involved with all three town clubs, particularly the cricket club, where he was groundsman for around 20 years.
Born and educated in Nottingham, he had three brothers. On leaving school, he worked down the pit before joining the Army, serving with the Sherwood Foresters in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment.
He served in Cyprus as part of the British Army’s support of United Nations peacekeeping forces, as well as Singapore, Burma and Northern Ireland.
He met his wife, Doreen, while taking part in an Army air show at Warcop — he parachuted down into the village sports field, where she was watching, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The pair married and farmed at Newby with Doreen’s parents, Arthur and Lizzie Bowron, before they all moved into a large house in Lowther Street, Penrith. Barry and Doreen, who later moved to Bridge Lane, had three children, Denise — now Willan — who lives in Penrith; Julie Raymond, of Birmingham; and Janice Reed, of Penrith. Doreen died in 2019.
Barry went on to work as an HGV driver for several firms and was a parcel delivery driver, before working on security when Center Parcs at Whinfell Forest was under construction.
While in the Army, Barry — whose nickname was ‘Butch’ — was a top boxer and was forces champion for eight years running. At one point he opened a boxing club with Robert Bowman above The Warehouse nightclub in Penrith.
However, he was probably best known as a physiotherapist and groundsman. He was physio for many years for the now defunct Carlisle Rugby League Club. He learned his skills while in the Army and his daughters recall people coming to the house in agony, crawling over the doorstep, but walking out in comfort after Barry had worked his magic.
“As a child I thought he had magic hands,” said daughter Janice, who went on to train to be a sports massage therapist.
After leaving the Army, Barry played football at Castletown and also refereed, and cricket for Edenhall and Nunwick. He took more than 100 wickets while playing for Nunwick and the family believe he could have been the first Cumbrian to take 100 wickets in a season.
The family said he was very proud of his role as groundsman at the cricket club, where he had his own seat, called Kendall’s corner. He also helped out with pitch maintenance at the rugby club, and volunteered his time at the football club when it was located at Southend Road.
“He was a big, gentle giant,” said the family. “He was very kind and would do anything for anybody, but did not suffer fools. He was also a superb dad. He had a good, fruitful life.”
A tribute from the cricket club said: “As groundsman at the club for around 20 years he took huge personal pride in his role and creating an immaculate outfield. He was a grafter who cared about doing the job right.
“In 2019 Barry was awarded honorary life membership in recognition of his commitment as a volunteer on the ground and to Penrith Cricket Club.
“Barry was one of life’s great characters and someone who was wonderful company, especially when a drink and sport were involved. On match days everyone knew where Barry would be — in Kendall’s Corner, the seat by the window in the Lounge Bar watching the cricket and sharing a beer and the craic with anyone and everyone. He was a great storyteller and raconteur, who loved a laugh and the banter with sporting folk.”
Barry leaves his three daughters, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren with another on the way.
His funeral is on Monday at Eden Valley Crematorium. Donations are for Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland, who the family said, along with district nurses, had been “amazing and worth their weight in gold”.
Richardson’s funeral directors have charge of arrangements.
