Spotlight - "From Sheep Dipping to the The Full Monty" the story of Barry Ford and Karen Walsh
Barry Ford has cleaned our streets in the parish of St Andrew's for over 37 years.
Barry was born at no 16 Delaford road. His dad worked in maintenance in Cady Hall (which later became Lyons) and his mum worked nights at Telfords making pies.
He was one of 11 children, 6 boys and 5 girls. He attended St John Lillie school.
7 of the children were born in Delaford road and Barry remembers the sleeping arrangements very well, 'top to toe'. Their flat was on the 2nd floor of a three floor terrace house which
only had two bedrooms. Barry also remembers with little fondness, bath time. All the children lined up on a Saturday night and were dipped into a large tin tub like sheep. They called Saturday "sheep dipping night"
At the age of 13 Barry worked evenings at Stimpson's the green grocers on North End Road in order to earn some extra money for his family. He went full time at the age of 15. He remembers when he started working at Stimpson's being placed on the trades bike before the groceries were added over the handle bars.
He had to balance the load very carefully for fear of falling off. If any of you have watched the tv comedy 'Open all Hours' with Ronnie Barker and David Jason, Barry was Granville!
Barry started working for the council as a street cleaner when he was 17. He still worked for Stimpsons part time in the evenings.
Barry Married Linda at St Andrew's church in 1973 and in 1975 they had their first child, Jamie. In 1977 their daughter Nicola was born. He has now been a grandad since 1999.
Barry has been cleaning the streets of our borough for 37 years and is due to retire on 31 March this year. The Long Service Award was presented to him by Nigel Pallacer, director of Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
Barry says "I should have A to Z on my back not H & F as a I am always being asked where streets are".
Barry met Karen on Feb 14th 2002 in the Cock Tavern on the North End Road. Barry says, "I was having a few drinks and playing darts when I noticed this young lady giving me a lot of attention". Karen was sitting on a long bench with her mates. Barry asked the bar staff who she was.
Barry then began stripping to the song "Hey Baby Oh Ah". (It was a very cold night) When he got to his underwear, Karen laughing hysterically ran out of the pub shouting, "no, not the full monty". Barry chased her, running down North End Road until he realised he could not feel his feet, not to mention anything else.
3 years later in the Cock Tavern, Barry proposed to Karen on one knee, she said yes. I asked Karen what attracted her to him, she replied, "It was his cheeky wiggle as he prepared to throw the darts".
Karen was born in 1967 at the Victoria Maternity Hospital in Barnet. She is one of eight children. Her dad was a garage manager and her mum worked at the Lyons cafe (did you notice the connection?)
Karen attended St Teresa and Bishop Douglas schools in North London. She worked part time at Micheal Gearson in Friern Barnet and Finchley Memorial Hospital as a cleaner. The family moved to Heathrow 1985. Karen then worked at Terminal 4 in one of the restaurants there.
She moved out of her family home and after living in many grotty flats settled in Fulham.
Karen started coming to St Andrew's late last year and has joined the welcoming team and volunteers for the breakfast, flowers and homeless project. Karen has become a very valuable asset to the church and is always prepared help when asked.
Barry and Karen now live in Greyhound road and plan to marry in the very near future. Start ordering your hats!
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