Graham Barker’s funeral is at Wells-next-the-Sea; Methodist Church, 10 Theatre Street, NR23 1DS, at 1400 on Friday 2 August 2024. Afterwards, a wake will be at The Bowling Green, Church Street, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1JB.

Original Post:-

One of Holt RFC’s original members, Graham Barker, sadly died on 10 July 2024.

Aged 89, Graham had suffered from ill-health for a number of years, but always remained very interested in Holt RFC, and was delighted on the Club’s promotion to RFU Regional 2 Anglia (Level 6) for the 2023/2024 season, and retention in this League for 2024/2025.

Graham was elected as the first Club Secretary of Holt RFC at the inaugural meeting which took place at the Feathers Hotel, Holt on 30 November 1961.

He played hooker in the first match of Holt RFC versus West Norfolk in December 1961, and subsequently played at Holt for the next few years.

With his brother Brian he ran a successful haulage and import/export company based in King’s Lynn and Wells. He retired to Church House, Wells where he immersed himself in his interests of collecting pictures, antiquarian books and Horatio Nelson memorabilia. He carefully catalogued and looked after his vast collection over many years.

At the 50th anniversary of the founding of Holt RFC, Graham attended the celebrations, and was photographed with the team-mates that played with him in Holt’s first match. Graham last visited Holt RFC for a lunch in November 2022 which he thoroughly enjoyed.

The funeral date and arrangements will be published when they are known.

Thank you to Paul Williams for sharing this tribute, with the photo courtesy of Graham's nephew.