For many years now the name of Dave Barnard has been synonymous with some kind of activity concerning the rights of working people. Dave was a trade union activist and an active member of the A.U.E.W. before he retired some seven years ago, being involved in actions to achieve the things that workers deserved. He is a former member of the Trades Council and although now retired still takes a keen interest in current affairs about things revolving around workplace issues. He has never been afraid to speak up about things that he feels strongly about and I know from experience he is a good colleague that can be relied upon in all situations.

It was reported in the Argus recently that Dave was retiring from the community activity that he has been involved in for so many years. However, knowing the man for so long, I had my doubts that he would pack up altogether. Having been involved so long in local affairs it would be very difficult to stop what has been a virtual lifetime of service to the community. Dave and his family moved into Barcombe Road, Moulsecoomb in 1963 and from the very outset started to get involved in local activity, both political and social, while at the same time carrying on with his trade union work; a busy man indeed!

Issues of housing have for many years been a concern of Dave's and he has been Chairman of M.E.S.A.T.A. (Moulsecoomb East Social And Tenants Assoc) for a number of years. He was active in the Brighton Tenants Federation, which was so effective in the '70s, and '80s. He still advises people on housing and other social issues and is regularly at the Orchards Meeting Rooms, particularly every Wednesday. I'm told that this will carry on until the end of the year but knowing the man as I do, I suspect he'll carry on for much longer than that.

Every year Dave is involved with the organisation of the Moulsecoomb Children's Christmas Party, which has been put on now for nearly twenty years; this party regularly caters for over 200 children and a great time is had by all. Some of the young people that have enjoyed themselves at previous parties now come and help out in the organisation of the current events: How's that for community involvement? When the government introduced the New Deal for the Communities initiative and East Brighton was designated one of the country's Pathfinder areas invited to bid for a share of the £800,000,000, made available for the purpose, Dave was involved with the bid from the very beginning. He was an active member of the Community Partnership Group, which is now the board of eb4u and was one of the board's first three directors. Dave is still very interested in what the future holds for East Brighton particularly in housing and the training and employment prospects for the young people on our estates.

Space doesn't permit me to write anywhere near enough to convey the tremendous value of the work done by Dave over many years but suffice to say the whole area is a better place because of his contributions.

Written by Fred Netley.