Raglan community stalwart Barry Ashby has passed away. Barry was an active member of Raglan Residents & Ratepayers Association.
For many years he was an elected member of the Raglan Community Board. When I was Chair of the Board, Barry could always be relied on for providing the common sense view of community matters. Barry made the WDC understand that painting parking spaces at the wharf was an essential requirement for the orderly management of parking. For many years he worked to get the District Council to overturn its Bow Street dog ban. Until the ban was overturned, Barry’s tiny dog, Sir Barney Grub, waited patiently in the car for Barry to return from his shopping and talks to everybody he met. Barry always obeyed the law while large dogs roamed the street. On the other hand he also put forward ideas that tested people’s thinking such as establishing a naval training base in Raglan.
Barry was an inveterate letter writer to all newspapers in New Zealand and to all politicians on all of his favourites issues. The main issue was animal rights. The Waikato Times even featured him as one of their main letter writers. Barry was a former teacher and had been a nature studies advisor to schools. He knew everything from how to grow and harvest cabbage tree as a vegetable through to how to make contaminated water safe for drinking.
Barry always talked about the achievements of his children and grandchildren. He was especially proud of their swimming successes.
He ran the Journey’s End bed and breakfast at the end of Lily Street overlooking the wharf. If ever a free bed was needed for a visiting muso to perform in Raglan, Barry was always willing to help out.
Barry was a gentleman, a really Raglan character and one of the most community minded people in town. He will be missed.
Published in The New Zealand Herald on Mar. 27, 2017
Farewell Barry.
I did enjoy your imaginative ideas.
They had the power to spark a better Raglan.
Sorry I missed the service. He has such a gentleman, with lots of spark and a big heart. He showed so much kindness and support during my time on the RCB. You could see his love for Whaingaroa and it’s people shine through. His conversations, jokes and smiles will be missed on bow st.