The excitement of Francis Dunnery’s return to Egremont last month brings the family name into the public eye and it may be a good time to put a few words into print about his older brother, and his inspiration.

Barry (better known to some as Baz) lost the battle against a cruel illness earlier this year and at the age of 57 he quietly slipped away . The way Barry was held in respect by so many can be judged by the entries in the on-line guest book and obituary hosted by Cumbrian Newspapers. There are no less than seven pages containing 64 entries from countries including Australia, USA, Canada, Italy, Ireland and of course from all over the UK, including the following tribute from Raymond Hall:

"Having grown up on Gulley Flats with Barry and the rest of the "Gulley Flatts Boys" it was always a pleasure to catch up with Baz on my visits from Newcastle upon Tyne in later years, and see that he was still the most humble and unpretentious of persons despite being blessed with an outstanding and sublime musical talent."

His mum, Kath, once told Egremont Today’s reporter, Thelma Atherton, how that talent was revealed when Barry just started to play the mouth organ she had bought him for twelve shillings. A man tapped her on the shoulder and asked her Barry's name. "I'll have to remember that," he had said, listening to the tunes from a young lad who had just laid hand on an instrument for the first time.

Barry was well known as an exceptional guitarist, but those who had the pleasure of being close to him will confirm that there was much more to him than this, his sense of humour which he probably inherited from his mother was certainly an experience not to be missed and one of his favourites was to mix up well known sayings to produce examples like "There's no use losing a dog's sunset over a ha’porth of tar",or "a red sky at night is worth two in the bush." There was always a laugh to be had when Baz was around; even when his illness was advancing his sense of humour never left him.

Baz was an accomplished musician. He was able to fit in with any kind of band and he could often be found playing along with people much less capable than himself and he was always willing to give advice and help. Rejecting the poor lifestyle which went with the role of rock musician he learned the trade of carpenter and ran his own business until illness made it impossible to carry on and so he would spend hours at the piano, the organ, guitar or bass, in all of which he was more than competent. He also had a great interest in the Romans and was well informed about their historical presence in Cumbria. He used to love walking the old tracks laid down by them in the countryside around the home he shared with his partner and soulmate Sue.

Barry Dunnery was proud to be a Cumbrian and he was an Egremont lad through and through. He loved the town and all its characters past and present; he avoided fame and fortune and his greatest wish was that he would be remembered as a good man. He certainly will be.