Farewell to Barrie
Reporter: Ken Bennett
Date published: 29 April 2020
Mosaic picture of Barrie Ashley courtesy of Marie Whitehead Photography
Pupils who are in school will line up along Uppermill High Street today (Wednesday) to say a touching farewell to Barrie Ashley, a man described as “having a heart of gold.”
There was an emotional outpouring of grief across the Saddleworth School community after they learned Mr Ashley, aged 67 and a member of the school’s site team, had sadly died of Covid-19.
His final journey through the villages will begin from the Pogson and Armitage chapel in Diggle at 12 noon today.
The cortege will pass through Uppermill along High Street at approximately 12,15pm, down Chapel Road, passing Tesco’s Greenfield, along ChewValley Road to the roundabout at The Clarence, returning along Chew Valley Road to Station Brew before travelling to Oldham for the cremation.
Mourners are free to pay their respects to Barrie and his family along the route and are encouraged to wear white, his favourite colour.
Social distancing rules apply.
Meanwhile, the school management team have been helping thoughtful pupil Elleece Taylor to materialise a digital mosaic for Barrie’s Memorial with more than 100 pictures of staff and students.
Pupils have been encouraged to take a selfie or a selfie with Barrie, plus any pictures of him.
“This will show all the lives Barrie has touched and will show some of the many people who are going to miss Barrie dearly,” said Jody Coates, second in department for Art and subject leader for Photography.
Earlier in an emotional tribute, Matthew Milburn, Saddleworth School’s executive head teacher, said: “Barrie lived a full and rich life and was a character at school and well beyond.
"He will certainly be missed.”
Last year, 260 kind-hearted Saddleworth School students insisted Barrie attend their glittering prom event as special guest and paid for a personal VIP ticket.
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