What do you do with DaDa?
Barry started working with DaDaFest in 1999. It was meant to be temporary for six months until retiring in April 2021. But Barry accepted the invitation to apply to be a Board member in April 2024.
Tell us a bit about your background
Pre 1999, Barry was involved with a Sign Dance Theatre Company, touring all over the UK and abroad. He has been involved with setting up Deaf Theatre groups in Newcastle and Liverpool, directed musicals (Fiddler on the Roof and Oliver!) with Signed Songs on stage and actors doing voice overs in the orchestra pit.
Trained in Accountancy, Barry was Treasurer of two charities, British Deaf Association and Merseyside Society for Deaf People. Barry is also trained in Sport Leadership with the Central Council of Physical Recreation. Lastly, he was trained at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts to lead workshops with Disabled and Deaf People.
Currently, as well as DaDaFest, barry is on the Board of BSL Celebrations (Chair), Deaf Explorer (Chair), Merseyside Society for Deaf People (Community Lead). Barry is on the committee of Eastham Village Preservation Association (Social Media Lead) and Newcastle Wey Aye Deaf Festival (Chair) and a Police Volunteer for the Eastham Village Speed Watch. Barry has volunteered for Liverpool's Eurovision Song Contest as part of the Access Team and also volunteered at the British Golf Open Championship at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake.
Barry quips “I'm supposed to be retired!”
What do you like to do outside of work?
Barry used to like playing golf, but due to a balance impairment, Barry says“the ball doesn't exactly go where it was intended to go. So, the Deaf Golf Society has made me President. All I do is make amusing speeches. I enjoy going to our local village pub to enjoy all the banters. I am a member of a rugby club in our village because they do good Guinnesses. The team is playing well too.”