BARRY David Lipscomb, former Mayor of Winchester, died on August 16, aged 81. He was dedicated to his family and worked hard for his city.

Barry was born in Wembley on the May 1, 1943 – the only child of Sam and Vera Lipscomb. Barry and Vera were promptly evacuated to Chard in Somerset. After the war, the family moved to Felixstowe in Suffolk, where Sam was stationed at a local RAF base. Barry attended Felixstowe Grammar and it was during this time he developed a love for languages. Barry was a keen boy scout, rising to become a queen scout, and for the rest of his life he kept a sense of loyalty, duty and preparedness. It was during this time his love of travel was also ignited. His childhood in Suffolk also left him a life-long Ipswich Town supporter.

In 1962 Barry started a career in the Immigration Service which was to last nearly 38 years. Barry was eager to use his language skills in his new job. Already fluent in French and Italian he learnt Portuguese, over the period of five to six weeks in Lisbon, to earn the maximum language supplement. Barry was also proficient in German and Spanish.

His languages also helped him travel. He took a part time job as a courier accompanying school trips. In 1971 he joined a school party at Dover station heading for Yugoslavia via Venice and there he met a young history teacher, Christine Rickman. Six months later Barry and Christine married at St Thomas’ Church in Lymington. They were happily married for 52 years.

Barry became a father on his 30th birthday when Nicholas was born, followed two years later by Georgina. The family moved to Brockenhurst in 1975 when Barry was promoted to a post at Southampton Docks. The family was completed by the arrival of Kenneth. Barry entered local politics, being elected to the New Forest District Council from 1979 to 1987 as a Conservative councillor representing Lymington. He also served as governor of Priestlands School in Lymington. In 1987, Barry was again promoted – relocating to Gatwick Airport – and the family moved to Sussex.

In 1995, Barry and Christine moved back to Hampshire – this time to Winchester – when he was promoted to Assistant Director of the Immigration Service based at Heathrow Airport until he retired in May 2000. In 2005 they became grandparents and over the next 11 years joyfully welcomed three granddaughters and three grandsons.

Retirement gave Barry time to devote himself to Winchester. He returned to local politics and was elected to Winchester City Council from 2002 to 2016. His proudest achievement came in 2011 when he was elected 812th Mayor of Winchester. He worked hard promoting Winchester, fundraising and thoroughly enjoyed his year as the face of the city.

A tribute from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Association to Barry, their former chairman, highlighted “his generosity, dedication and passion, helping countless lives across the region”. These were qualities he brought to roles with the South Down’s National Park Authority, the South-Central Ambulance Service and as a Rotarian.

Barry and Christine continued to travel, enjoying cruises and visiting grandchildren in Northern Ireland and Sweden. Unfortunately, Covid brought their travels to an end but lockdown ended just in time to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary surrounded by all their family. There was to be one final gathering to celebrate Barry’s 80th birthday in May 2023. With Christine beside him and surrounded by his children and grandchildren, Barry was in his element.

Barry is now reunited with his beloved Christine who passed away last December and is survived by their children Nicholas, Georgina and Kenneth and six grandchildren.