The Friends of Handforth Station were saddened to hear the news of the death of founder member Barry Burkhill last weekend.

Barry helped to found FoHS in 1996 and was a FoHS committee member for many of the years since then. In his role as a Cheshire County councillor he provided many useful leads to appropriate Council officers and contacts.

John Hulme, President of Cheshire Best Kept Stations said  “I was very saddened to learn of the Barry’s passing and recall many times meeting Barry at our Best Kept Stations events.  In 2003, and the first year of Cheshire Best Kept Stations, the Friends of Handforth were commended and there was Barry alongside other Friends receiving the award (see above).

As a Friend of Handforth Station, former Mayor of Macclesfield Borough Council and former Mayor of Cheshire East Council, Barry will be sadly missed by Community Rail Cheshire”.

Mike Bishop, fellow founder of FoHS and current President of FoHS, said “Barry was a dedicated supporter of Handforth Station, most noticeably campaigning for improved access to the platforms and widened footpaths.”

Barry attended many FoHS events in his full Cheshire Mayor Regalia (including joining in one of their Folk Trains). He often represented FoHS at local meetings held by the Community Rail Partnership and Cheshire Best Kept Stations, and was also a regular attendee at the annual national Community Rail Network conferences.

Mike added “Barry worked on many of our monthly Work Parties at the station, using his own ancient lopping shears intead of those offered by the rest of our group. We shall miss him.”

The FoHS have lowered their FoHS flag at the station to half-mast, to commemorate Barry’s work on behalf of the local station.