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| Barry Chambers (L) with the Blackhall NUM banner at Durham Big Meeting in July 2016 |
Barry passed away peacefully in hospital yesterday, Friday 5 January 2018, with his loving family at his side.
Barry spent his entire working life as a member of the Durham NUM and the Durham Miners' Association and served as a member of the Durham NUM Executive on a number of occassions. Equally he was a lifelong member of the Labour Party and spent the last 20 years of his life as a committed chairman of the Blackhall branch.
His campaigns and local achievements are far too many to mention in the space allowed here but tales of his relentless and committed style of campaigning will no doubt be the subject of many a conversation throughout the village and beyond over the coming days and weeks. But perhaps his crowning achievement was as a member of the NUM at a local level in helping many men and their families in Blackhall and Hesleden secure many thousands of pounds in well-deserved compensation for their injuries and disabilities sustained underground at Blackhall Colliery.
Barry also fought tirelessly for many years as a founder member of the Save Our Hospitals (SOH) group to return and retain services at Hartlepool Hospital. Seldom was a public meeting held in Hartlepool or the rest of the NHS Trust area where Barry was not on his feet cajoling members of the Trust board to either do the right thing and return services to Hartlepool, or else stand aside and make way for someone who will!
First and foremost Barry was a loving and caring family man but to the rest of us he was a friend, a comrade and a relentless campaigner for community causes. He was a staunch and trusted ally, someone to turn to in times of adversity or in an hour of need. And he was always there, willing to listen and prepared to help in any way he could.
His passing leaves a void in the political and social life of our community but his legacy will be seen in and around our villages and beyond for years to come.
He will be sorely missed by those who knew him and by those who shared his belief that fairness, equality and respect in society are essential and within our reach if we stand together against hate and division.