Popular preacher Cyril dies aged 80
A well-known Wolverhampton preacher and former city teacher has died aged 80.A well-known Wolverhampton preacher and former city teacher has died aged 80. Tributes were today paid to the Rev Cyril Barnfather, who entertained crowds across the region with his singing skills as a member of several musical groups and also played the organ at a number of churches in the city. He also worked as an RE teacher at Wednesfield High School from 1967 until 1984. The Fallings Park resident, who leaves a wife Sheila, aged 72, died last week after suffering from pneumonia. He was well-known throughout the area because of his love of singing and gardening, was a member of Wolverhampton Civic Choir, the Methodist Musical Society and the Hymn Society of the UK and Northern Ireland. Mr Barnfather was also was a member of the Royal Horticultural Society. The pensioner took part in a number of concerts in the city to help raise funds for charities including the Snowdrop Foundation, which helps cancer victims at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital, and Children in Need. In addition he was membership secretary of Wolverhampton Civic Choir and appeared in the Express & Star appealing for new members to sign up to the group. Read the full story in the Express & Star
A well-known Wolverhampton preacher and former city teacher has died aged 80.
Tributes were today paid to the Rev Cyril Barnfather, who entertained crowds across the region with his singing skills as a member of several musical groups and also played the organ at a number of churches in the city.
He also worked as an RE teacher at Wednesfield High School from 1967 until 1984.
The Fallings Park resident, who leaves a wife Sheila, aged 72, died last week after suffering from pneumonia.
He was well-known throughout the area because of his love of singing and gardening, was a member of Wolverhampton Civic Choir, the Methodist Musical Society and the Hymn Society of the UK and Northern Ireland.
Mr Barnfather was also was a member of the Royal Horticultural Society. The pensioner took part in a number of concerts in the city to help raise funds for charities including the Snowdrop Foundation, which helps cancer victims at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital, and Children in Need.
In addition he was membership secretary of Wolverhampton Civic Choir and appeared in the Express & Star appealing for new members to sign up to the group.Born in Middlesbrough, the Durham University graduate was originally a minister at Wednesbury Baptist Church in the early 1960s before he moved into teaching.
Rev Dr Phillip Rees, from St John's Methodist Church in Parkfields where Mr Barnfather and his wife have worshipped for the past seven years, said he would be sadly missed. Dr Rees said: "He was very well-known throughout the area as he was very active.
"He was a preacher in methodist churches in the city for about 40 years.
"He also played the organ at our church and Fallings Park Methodist Church as well as others, and his passions were music and gardening.
"He suffered a stroke three years ago but until then he was one of those people who always liked to be doing something and keep busy.
"He will be very sadly missed by congregations across Wolverhampton as he was so well-known."
The funeral will take place at 10.15am at St John's Methodist Church on Monday followed by cremation at Bushbury. All friends are welcome.
Donations, if desired, can be made for St John's Methodist Church or the respiratory unit at New Cross Hospital via Jennings Funeral Directors in Horseley Fields, Wolverhampton.
