We have received the sad news that veteran UK crane rental entrepreneur Barry Barnes has died.
He passed away in the early hours of Monday morning, March 10th, surrounded by his family, having suffered a short illness, he was 81. He leaves behind son Chris and daughter Debbie. His wife Christine sadly passed away in 2020 during the Covid pandemic.
Barry Barnes
Barry Barnes started work as an apprentice mechanic in 1958, shortly after his 15th birthday, working on transport trucks and cranes. It seems that cranes became something of a passion of his and in 1978 at the age of 35 he purchased his first crane, a 12 tonne Coles Hydra 120T, a two axle, single cab/’cab down’ truck crane, and started a one man crane rental company trading as Great Harwood Crane Hire covering the area north of Manchester.
Barry Barnes in 2018 with a restored Coles Hydra 120T at Vertikal Days
In the cab
He and his wife Christine ran the business together for around 10 years, building it into a very successful company with a fleet of around 20 cranes. As a result of their success, they began receiving enquires to acquire the business, leading them to accept a buyout offer from Grayston White and Sparrow, allowing them to take early retirement in the Isle of Man.
Christine and Barry Barnes
But that did not last long, barely six months later Barry set up Mann Crane Hire with his son Chris and they built this into a 15 unit fleet, the business is still run by Chris Barnes, who took over the reins in 2006. Given the size of the Island, he has gradually reduced the fleet to six carefully selected new cranes.
One of the more recent Mann Crane deliveries
When GWS left the Great Harwood area some years later and closed the business, Barry could not resist getting back into it and set up a new Great Harwood Crane Hire with his daughter Debbie, which they built that into a 22 crane operation, before selling it to Frank Barnes – no relation.
The funeral procession
As soon as we learn of the funeral arrangements and the family’s wishes, we will add them to this report .
plb
Very sad news indeed. I’ve known Barry since the beginning and he was one of the best! We had some great times together, especially on some of our trips abroad. Always there and so reliable. He will be missed by many, especially his family. RIP Barry.
moonsville
So sad to hear the news about Barry, I worked for him from 1987 until he sold out to Grayston White & Sparrow, which I then continued to work With his daughter Debbie for many years, I remember very well going over to the Isle of Mann with a crane on the ferry to take down a tower crane on Douglas seafront working with him and Chris, we still had time for a bite to eat before returning on the ferry the same day. Condolences to Chris, Debbie and Family he will be missed by all RIP Barry
plb
Very sad news indeed. I’ve known Barry since the beginning and he was one of the best! We had some great times together, especially on some of our trips abroad. Always there and so reliable. He will be missed by many, especially his family. RIP Barry.
b
Very sad news about my namesake. A thoroughly nice man, great to do business with. Barry K. Barnes
Crane lads
Very sad news know berry for years . Condolences to Chris and Debbie. Is that the 12t coles what used to be called the happy hooker?
andrewfoster47
This is sad news.
Barry was a true crane enthusiast, and a real gentleman in every sense of the word.
He'll be much missed.
moonsville
So sad to hear the news about Barry, I worked for him from 1987 until he sold out to Grayston White & Sparrow, which I then continued to work With his daughter Debbie for many years, I remember very well going over to the Isle of Mann with a crane on the ferry to take down a tower crane on Douglas seafront working with him and Chris, we still had time for a bite to eat before returning on the ferry the same day. Condolences to Chris, Debbie and Family he will be missed by all RIP Barry