Derek Fryer 2023

Derek Fryer C Eng MICE    OBA President 2023

Born in Barrow and following a well-worn path via Victoria Infants and Junior Schools in Oxford St I arrived at the Grammar School in September 1965 with about 90 other boys from all over town. I enjoyed many aspects of school life including sport, music and fellwalking; also many scouting activities, though I stayed with St Pauls rather than one of three school troops. 

Sport included playing for school rugby and cricket teams before concentrating on racket sports later, particularly table tennis where the school had two teams in the local league. Playing in the u15 rugby team of 1968/69 was particularly memorable (and successful) as we were coached by newly arrived chemistry teacher and England international Tom Brophy. Music teacher John Cranston was another inspirational teacher who also led the choir and orchestra in ambitious performances.

The Middle School Rambling Club, led primarily by Alan Garnett, significantly enhanced my growing love of the Lake District fells. I think spending time with other teachers on the fells and expeditions, notably Jim Montague and Wilf Kimber, helped us develop our confidence and independence which would stand us in good stead in future years. Alan and physics teacher John Wilson also took myself and seven other boys on a wonderful 3 week walking expedition working our way down the Spanish side of the Pyrenees to Andorra, returning along the French side.

Following A levels I studied civil engineering at Loughborough which led to a varied and interesting career over the next 40 years. I worked on construction and design of roads, bridges, reservoirs, dams and colliery spoil tips (the Aberfan disaster generated much-needed work the Welsh Valleys) in many locations before being drawn back to Barrow. Here I joined the Submarine Facilities Project responsible for Trident related work through the 1980s. I’m pleased to see the town continuing to benefit from that massive investment.    

As work for VSEL tailed off I joined the newly privatised North West Water and spent the next 25 years managing construction of treatment plants, pipelines and major Aqueducts. It was very satisfying to be Resident Engineer on construction of new wastewater treatment plants for Barrow, Walney, Kirkby and Broughton which significantly improved the state of our surrounding coast.

Along the way I have been rallying and orienteering for over 50 years competing all over the UK and various other countries. One random memory comes from an RAC Rally when I did a radio interview from Chester with former OBA President Ron Duxbury (then a Radio Cumbria sports presenter on the breakfast show) only to find myself upside down in Grizedale Forest a few hours later; we were soon rolled back on our wheels and able to continue.

I’ve been fortunate to share so much of my life with my wife Sue, who after 40 years nearly qualifies as a Barrovian, and two loving daughters – one of whom now teaches in an Essex Grammar School that aspires to high standards much like Barrow Grammar. 

I’m proud to be a Barrovian and President of the OBA and encourage all other Old Barrovians to continue supporting the OBA as much as they can.