Memorial bench fundraiser for popular figure known as “Mayor of Wargrave”

A fundraising drive has been launched to buy a memorial bench as a tribute to a villager who has been a stalwart of the community for half a century.

Barry Holder, known by many as ‘Baz’, died from stomach cancer in November, aged 78, after a five-year battle with the disease.

Now, his friend of 20 years, Geoff Knight, is spearheading the initiative for a memorial bench at the recreation ground near the cricket pitch, a nod to a sport he loved.

Initially, Mr Knight, 78, of Victoria Road, set a target of £1,200, for the bench, including cementing and engraving.

But more than £1,300 has been raised in the first week, and more is expected from cash donations. The surplus funds will be donated to Berkshire Cancer Charity Fund.

Mr Holder was born and raised in Reading, and, a few years after meeting his wife, Norah, while playing ten-pin bowling in Woodley, they moved to Wargrave with their eldest child, Paul.

Not long after, a second son, Darren, arrived to complete the family. Mr Holder worked at ITM Events in Wokingham for many years and used to work in hospitality before moving into the tech field.

The manager at ITM Events, Graham Trolley, described Barry as “the life and soul of the village”, and “like a second father, a wonderful man”.

He, along with other colleagues, attended the wake, which was held at The Bull, Barry’s local pub, where there was only standing room only with about 200 people in attendance. Fond memories from Mr Trolley include Barry’s love of jellied eels, which he would enjoy at the races on a Monday night, and his excitement on any occasion where a buffet was a feature — sausages were a favourite.

In the village Mr Holder is remembered as a kind, non-judgmental man.

Mr Knight described him as “warm, friendly and welcoming”, and keen to “see the best in everybody”.

A popular figure in the village, he was known affectionally as “the Mayor of Wargrave”.

Another good friend, Richard Piper, 76, also from Wargrave, attended the wake, which he described more as a “celebration of life”, with loved ones wearing their loudest, brightest tops, much like those in Mr Holder’s wardrobe.

Paul and Darren each wore one of his colourful shirts.

Mr Holder was also a keen sportsman, having played bowls for the village, alongside Norah, who has represented Berkshire and England.

He ran the bar at the bowls club and once a year, encouraged pub regulars to visit the club.

The current plan is to name the bench “Baz’s Bench” and have it decorated with smaller oval brass discs engraved with individual messages from those on the Just Giving page, of which there are around 30.

“It would look really great and help illustrate what a high regard people had for him” Mr Knight said.

An unveiling is set to take place in early April.

For those interested in donating, the JustGiving page can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/geoffrey-knight