A funeral service for the late Barry Holmes,Treasurer of Cinderford RFC, will take place at The Beavis Memorial Ground, Dockham Road, Cinderford, Glos. GL14 2AQ at 2pm on Monday 1st July 2019. This will be followed at 3:30pm by a committal service, for family and close friends, at Cinderford Crematorium. A reception will be held in the clubhouse after the service. Will friends please meet at Cinderford Rugby Clubhouse where there is ample free parking.
Family flowers only please, donations to be made to William Bevans Funeral Directors which will be passed on to the chosen charities (relating to both oncology units in Cheltenham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital). Please wear what you feel appropriate, you don’t need to wear black.
OBITUARY
Barry Holmes died on Thursday the sixth of June after a long illness. Barry, a father of four, was Treasurer of Cinderford RFC from 1979 onwards and worked tirelessly for the club until the end.
Barry, who died aged sixty was the son of Chris and Rose Holmes of Pontshill near Ross on Wye. He attended Ross on Wye Grammer School and then went into accountancy, working for several of the counties largest accountancy firms before eventually setting up his own business in Gloucester Barry joined Cinderford RFC in 1979 after being persuaded by the then Cinderford Chairman Bob Beavis, a friend of his father, to take up the position of club treasurer. A post he held for forty years.
Barry continued playing football for Weston Under Penyard FC for several years but on retiring from the round ball game quickly became an enthusiastic rugby supporter who occasionally played for the veterans team. When the game went ‘seamless’ he was a prime mover in Cinderford’s progression through the league system and along with club President, Peter Bell, he was instrumental in Cinderford’s drive into the third tier of English rugby.
Barry knew his way around the rugby world and was a well known and popular face in the National Leagues. He served on the National Clubs Association Committee for a time. He was good company and although his wit could be caustic when necessary he was more often charming, droll, mischievous and generous. People took to him easily.