In Memoriam for Mark Richard BARDEN

Mark was my English teacher over 40 years ago in Redditch and was one of very few teachers who actually seemed to see young people as individuals rather than just a collective. He genuinely cared and was passionate about his subject and I can still recall the love he had for literature. I’m so sorry to discover he’s no longer with us but he was an inspiration to me and, I am sure, many more. Thank you, Mr Barden for all you gave.

I heard about this via a mutual friend about a year ago and last saw Mark at my wedding, and have now found this page. Mark was a wonderful friend with whom friends and I enjoyed so many good times. Mark introduced me to so many of his passions that still feature in my life. Kate Bush, musical theatre and Pinter, for example - I've never seen a better performance in The Caretaker than Mark's. And then there was Old King Cole, The Caucasian Chalk Circle with West Kent Youth Theatre and so many more. Thank you for all the help, advice and sometimes terse (but very honest and probably correct) advice on how I was (badly) running my life. I am proud to have known you and proud that there's now a Mark Barden award at North Bromsgrove High School that rewards the best talent aspiring to what you achieved. Thank you.

I heard about this via a mutual friend about a year ago and last saw Mark at my wedding, and have now found this page. Mark was a wonderful friend with whom friends and I enjoyed so many good times. Mark introduced me to so many of his passions that still feature in my life. Kate Bush, musical theatre and Pinter, for example - I've never seen a better performance in The Caretaker than Mark's. And then there was Old King Cole, The Caucasian Chalk Circle with West Kent Youth Theatre and so many more. Thank you for all the help, advice and sometimes terse (but very honest and probably correct) advice on how I was (badly) running my life. I am proud to have known you and proud that there's now a Mark Barden award at North Bromsgrove High School that rewards the best talent aspiring to what you achieved. Thank you.

I heard about this via a mutual friend about a year ago and last saw Mark at my wedding, and have now found this page. Mark was a wonderful friend with whom friends and I enjoyed so many good times. Mark introduced me to so many of his passions that still feature in my life. Kate Bush, musical theatre and Pinter, for example - I've never seen a better performance in The Caretaker than Mark's. And then there was Old King Cole, The Caucasian Chalk Circle with West Kent Youth Theatre and so many more. Thank you for all the help, advice and sometimes terse (but very honest and probably correct) advice on how I was (badly) running my life. I am proud to have known you and proud that there's now a Mark Barden award at North Bromsgrove High School that rewards the best talent aspiring to what you achieved. Thank you.

I heard about this via a mutual friend about a year ago and last saw Mark at my wedding, and have now found this page. Mark was a wonderful friend with whom friends and I enjoyed so many good times. Mark introduced me to so many of his passions that still feature in my life. Kate Bush, musical theatre and Pinter, for example - I've never seen a better performance in The Caretaker than Mark's. And then there was Old King Cole, The Caucasian Chalk Circle with West Kent Youth Theatre and so many more. Thank you for all the help, advice and sometimes terse (but very honest and probably correct) advice on how I was (badly) running my life. I am proud to have known you and proud that there's now a Mark Barden award at North Bromsgrove High School that rewards the best talent aspiring to what you achieved. Thank you.

I was the music teacher; Mark was the student I chose to be Jesus in Godspell, the first ever musical I produced and directed almost 40 years ago. The cast were amazing and Mark led them admirably. I was devastated to hear that he was no longer with us. Even this one act should have brought him to the attention of many people. A talented and vivacious student who will be greatly missed.

Mike Dobson