Barry Mason (cyclist)
Encyclopedia
Barry Mason was a noted activist for cycling in London
, UK.
After graduating from the London School of Economics
, Mason had a varied career, including two years as head of visitor services at Salisbury Cathedral
and four years working in Liverpool
.
However, he was best known in his later years for supporting community and environmental
projects in Southwark
, South London
. For a time he managed school building projects for Southwark Council
, then became manager of Surrey Docks Farm
.
For many years he was the voluntary co-ordinator of Southwark Cyclists, whose secretary described him as "visionary and energetic over very many years in campaigning to improve safety and security for cyclists". Mason helped to make it the most active of the London Cycling Campaign
's borough groups, as well as reviving the neighbouring Greenwich Cyclists. He imparted skill and confidence to many other cyclists through his maintenance classes and rides, including mass rides on Christmas Day, and became more widely known amongst cyclists for organising return transport from the Dunwich Dynamo
, an annual midsummer ride from London to Suffolk. He was cited by the press on cycling-related subjects such as safety and parking, and won the London Cycling Personality of the Year award in 2006.
Barry Mason died while swimming off the coast near Rodiles
in northern Spain
during a cycling holiday in June 2011 with his partner Cheryl. He had a son and daughter from his marriage. Tributes poured in on Twitter and cycling forums
. His funeral, a humanist
ceremony, was attended by hundreds of people.
Cycling in London
Cycling in London has enjoyed a renaissance since the millennium. London's cyclists enjoy a cheaper, and often quicker, way around town than those by public transport or car, and as many trips in London are local, these can easily be done by bike. As London's public transport system is...
, UK.
After graduating from the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, Mason had a varied career, including two years as head of visitor services at Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, considered one of the leading examples of Early English architecture....
and four years working in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
.
However, he was best known in his later years for supporting community and environmental
Environmental movement
The environmental movement, a term that includes the conservation and green politics, is a diverse scientific, social, and political movement for addressing environmental issues....
projects in Southwark
Southwark
Southwark is a district of south London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Southwark. Situated east of Charing Cross, it forms one of the oldest parts of London and fronts the River Thames to the north...
, South London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
. For a time he managed school building projects for Southwark Council
London Borough of Southwark
The London Borough of Southwark is a London borough in south east London, England. It is directly south of the River Thames and the City of London, and forms part of Inner London.-History:...
, then became manager of Surrey Docks Farm
Surrey Docks Farm
Surrey Docks Farm is a working city farm in the heart of London . It occupies a site on the south bank of the River Thames in Rotherhithe.-Activities:...
.
For many years he was the voluntary co-ordinator of Southwark Cyclists, whose secretary described him as "visionary and energetic over very many years in campaigning to improve safety and security for cyclists". Mason helped to make it the most active of the London Cycling Campaign
London Cycling Campaign
The London Cycling Campaign is an independent membership charity lobbying for better conditions for cyclists in London. Its vision is to make London "a world-class cycling city"...
's borough groups, as well as reviving the neighbouring Greenwich Cyclists. He imparted skill and confidence to many other cyclists through his maintenance classes and rides, including mass rides on Christmas Day, and became more widely known amongst cyclists for organising return transport from the Dunwich Dynamo
Dunwich Dynamo
The Dunwich Dynamo is an annual semi-organised, through-the-night bicycle ride from London Fields park in Hackney, London, England to Dunwich on the Suffolk coast. The distance is approximately 120 miles ....
, an annual midsummer ride from London to Suffolk. He was cited by the press on cycling-related subjects such as safety and parking, and won the London Cycling Personality of the Year award in 2006.
Barry Mason died while swimming off the coast near Rodiles
Rodiles
Rodiles is one of 28 parishes in the municipality of Grado, within the province and autonomous community of Asturias, in northern Spain.The population is 76 ....
in northern Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
during a cycling holiday in June 2011 with his partner Cheryl. He had a son and daughter from his marriage. Tributes poured in on Twitter and cycling forums
Internet forum
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are at least temporarily archived...
. His funeral, a humanist
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
ceremony, was attended by hundreds of people.