July/August 2017 (Continued from page 6)


In the office I found two people in Wellingtons. The boots were green Hunters, but in the office? ‘They are an English fashion item?’ ‘Well, yes, but not in a formal setting.’ ‘Oh, you English you are so stuffy.’


Crossing the road is not straightforward in Rome. Driving is done while texting, or in a furious ar- gument on the phone or with your passengers. When crossing, wait for a gap and look straight into the eye at the driver hurtling towards you. They find it more difficult to hit you if you are looking at them. When you get to the other side smile and congratulate yourself and them. A


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cheery wave is given with all your fingers, not one. Driving in Rome is like being back in the fair- ground dodgems when you had to dodge not hit. Other drivers are courteous and generous, they expect you to make mistakes, everyone does. Yes, do stop in the middle of the three-lane high- way and consult your phone, why not, it’s socia- ble. Most cars are sold as being in ‘Rome condi- tion’ in other words, bashed but still just about running…


Life in Italy is varied and exciting with its own quirks and niceties, and it is wonderful to have the pleasure and privilege of working here for a period.


Dick Barnes, BEM Tony Richmond


Retired Abingdon churchman and scientist Dick Barnes, 96, received his British Empire Medal (awarded in HM The Queen’s New Year Hon- ours) from the Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Oxford- shire, John Harwood on 26 June. The High Sher- iff of Oxford- shire, Jane Cran- ston, complete in ostrich feathers, read the citation, ‘for services to the community in Abingdon’.


Dick has served the church in Abingdon for more than 60 years, including 16 years as churchwarden. He led Morning Prayer at St Nicolas’ every Friday for 15 years. He was active in the Abingdon Archaeological and Historical Society, and was Secretary of the Friends of Abingdon. In 2008 Dick received the Berkshire Local History Association’s Judith Hunter prize for his extensive research into the long gone Fitzharris Manor.


Equally worthy of recognition would have been Dick’s work on early pioneering computers, in- cluding the world’s oldest computer still in regu- lar use. In 2012 he attended the launch at the Na- tional Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park of the refurbished ‘Witch’, now billed as the world’s oldest working com- puter. He is the only one still alive of the three scientists who built it.


Dick Barnes is pictured with his British Empire Medal, with his wife Doreen (right) and daughter Ros Mennie.


Dick also served a long period as Secretary of the Friends of Ab- ingdon, compil- ing records of


their work since 1944 in conserving Abingdon’s heritage buildings. He wrote it all up for posterity in a booklet The History of the Friends of Abing- don which is an excellent reference resource and still attracts interest today.


Dick launched the village newspaper Drayton Chronicle in 1972, and more recently he was a member of the research team who produced the interpretative posterboards now on view at strate- gic sites around the town.


Dick’s wife Doreen has also been honoured pre- viously for her work for the Citizens’ Advice Bu- reau, with the award of their Life Service Award in 2005.


This article, with photographs, first appeared on the Abing- don Blog www.abingdonblog.co.uk for 26 June 2017


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