The Revd Derrick Aubrey Barber

The Revd Derrick Aubrey Barber

21st September 1920 - 21st December 2008

Derrick was born in the valleys of South Wales in the village of Talywain, near Abersychan – his parents were Mary and Joseph. His mother was one of 17, and Derrick himself was the youngest of five children. All the children were gifted with remarkable singing voices, and Derrick's brother won the National Eisteddfod. Derrick toured the toured the country and sang as a lad – he was known as The Monmouthshire Nightingale - kept his marvellous voice right to the end, and singing was always a part of his ministry.

Derrick grew up in the Great Depression of the 1930's and it had a profound effect on his life, shaping his passionately-held political views and his preaching of the gospel of mercy and grace. In all his work he tried to support and encourage the underprivileged and to work for justice. He was in correspondence with Trevor Huddleston and Nelson Mandela, writing poems and raising money for the struggle against apartheidt.

When Derrick was 14 the whole family moved to Southampton in search of work. Derrick was apprenticed in the foundry of Harland and Wolfe the shipbuilders, where he learned to work with wood and iron, skills which he developed through the rest of his life -

He felt the call to the ministry as part of Bitterne Park Congregational Church – with no qualifications and little money, but determined and unstoppable, he worked at night school, passing the School Certificate exams and also learning Greek and Hebrew. He entered Western College Bristol, emerging with the Bristol B.A, and was ordained to the Ministry in Mount Pleasant Church, Hastings in 1945. He married Eileen in that Church in 1947. This was followed by ministries in Royston (1950-56), Beckenham (1955-1966), Torquay (1966-1983) and Clevedon and Nailsea(1983-1985)

Derrick was one of the founding ministers of Torquay Central Church, bringing together Belgrave Congregational Church, Union Street Methodist Church and Market Street Methodist in new premises on the site of the Belgrave building.

Ministry was multi-faceted – Church, Hospital Chaplaincy. Community Health Council, School Governor, caring for the young and old, the local Samaritans for over 35 years. He was a great friend to the smaller churches and would conduct worship in them throughout his retirement. Derrick brought his creativity, musical talent and unstoppable energy to all these tasks and many more.

In his final semi-conscious state, Derrick opened his eyes three times and exclaimed with all his usual vocal power "In all his wide dominion ..." We think he was reminding us that God is everywhere and everywhere to be served. This delightful, creative inspiring servant of the Lord is much missed, of course by Eileen, Valerie and Susan, but also by a much wider church family to whom he was a much loved guide and friend.