Harry from Barry
Councillor Henry Thomas Clease Mayor of Barry
The Man Henry Thomas Clease (Harry), was born on Saturday 26th March 1926 in Cardiff, son of Sydney Thomas a Wharf Labourer and Lilian May nee Knox. He had at least two siblings, Audrey S born in 1927 and Graham Trevor 1929-88.
By 1939 Harry aged 13 was living with family at 4 St Paul’s Avenue, Barry and in September 1947 married Emma Elizabeth (Betty) Goodall in Cardiff, they had two children, Jeffrey Martin born in 1954- 2020 and a daughter.
Having moved with the family to Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Harry and Betty became interested in local politics and the socialist cause in about 1963. He stood for election in May 1969 in Buttrills Ward, winning the seat and elected to Barry Town Council. During his many subsequent years’ service he was described as “A very kind and caring man, a good man, a tremendous politician and a dedicated socialist who worked hard to make people's lives better”. He was also described as, “A champion for the poor” starting the first Credit Union in Barry in 1986. He became affectionately known as 'Harry from Barry'.
Harry was elected as Town Mayor of Barry for the municipal year of 1986 – 87 and attended many events with the Mayoress, Betty. He was a director of Llamau Limited, the leading homeless charity in Wales, supporting the most vulnerable young people and women. He lived with his family at 10 Digby Street, Barry.
During the municipal year of 1989-90 Harry was elected as Deputy Mayor to Councillor J Selby and in 1995-96 was Mayor's Consort to his wife Cllr Mrs E E Clease (Betty) who was Mayor for that municipal year. In 2003 was nominated for the South Wales Echo's Lifetime Champion of the Community Award after dedicating more than 40 years to helping and representing others in the town. He was still involved with the Vale Credit Union and treasurer of Gibbonsdown Community Centre.
Upon his nomination Harry said: 'I'm a great believer in people getting involved in their communities. Communities are only as good as the people who live within them.'
In Later life Harry lived at 20 North Walk. He passed away on Thursday 24th June 2004 aged 78 and his funeral held a week later 1st July at St Mary's Church, Barry at 2.15pm.
Following his death long-time friend and colleague Cllr Richard Bertin said: "He certainly will be remembered as one of the unforgettable golden greats of his era."
Acting executive officer for Barry Town Council, Cliff Lewis said: "Harry will be sadly missed by all members, staff and the electorate who voted him in. Even when he was retired, he gave his time to the council behind the scenes. He leaves a gaping hole within the council. All our thoughts are with Harry's family."
Betty died ten years later in 2014 and their son Jeffrey, a former Police Officer, in 2020.
By 1939 Harry aged 13 was living with family at 4 St Paul’s Avenue, Barry and in September 1947 married Emma Elizabeth (Betty) Goodall in Cardiff, they had two children, Jeffrey Martin born in 1954- 2020 and a daughter.
Having moved with the family to Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Harry and Betty became interested in local politics and the socialist cause in about 1963. He stood for election in May 1969 in Buttrills Ward, winning the seat and elected to Barry Town Council. During his many subsequent years’ service he was described as “A very kind and caring man, a good man, a tremendous politician and a dedicated socialist who worked hard to make people's lives better”. He was also described as, “A champion for the poor” starting the first Credit Union in Barry in 1986. He became affectionately known as 'Harry from Barry'.
Harry was elected as Town Mayor of Barry for the municipal year of 1986 – 87 and attended many events with the Mayoress, Betty. He was a director of Llamau Limited, the leading homeless charity in Wales, supporting the most vulnerable young people and women. He lived with his family at 10 Digby Street, Barry.
During the municipal year of 1989-90 Harry was elected as Deputy Mayor to Councillor J Selby and in 1995-96 was Mayor's Consort to his wife Cllr Mrs E E Clease (Betty) who was Mayor for that municipal year. In 2003 was nominated for the South Wales Echo's Lifetime Champion of the Community Award after dedicating more than 40 years to helping and representing others in the town. He was still involved with the Vale Credit Union and treasurer of Gibbonsdown Community Centre.
Upon his nomination Harry said: 'I'm a great believer in people getting involved in their communities. Communities are only as good as the people who live within them.'
In Later life Harry lived at 20 North Walk. He passed away on Thursday 24th June 2004 aged 78 and his funeral held a week later 1st July at St Mary's Church, Barry at 2.15pm.
Following his death long-time friend and colleague Cllr Richard Bertin said: "He certainly will be remembered as one of the unforgettable golden greats of his era."
Acting executive officer for Barry Town Council, Cliff Lewis said: "Harry will be sadly missed by all members, staff and the electorate who voted him in. Even when he was retired, he gave his time to the council behind the scenes. He leaves a gaping hole within the council. All our thoughts are with Harry's family."
Betty died ten years later in 2014 and their son Jeffrey, a former Police Officer, in 2020.
Past Deputy Mayor of Barry's Jewel
The Story The Past Deputy Mayor’s Jewel awarded to Harry Clease was acquired from E-Bay on 8th May 2022. It was of interest simply because of the low price it was standing at and the link with other Mayoral Jewels in this collection.
Having acquired the Jewel, a cursory search on Google for ‘H T Clease Mayor’ produced the required results, giving his name, the Council he had served on and several newspaper articles including his obituary, which in turn enabled Ancestry.UK to be searched and a reasonable biography pieced together.
A telephone call to Barry Town Council yielded excellent results and the much desired photograph of Harry in Mayoral robes during his year in office.
Having acquired the Jewel, a cursory search on Google for ‘H T Clease Mayor’ produced the required results, giving his name, the Council he had served on and several newspaper articles including his obituary, which in turn enabled Ancestry.UK to be searched and a reasonable biography pieced together.
A telephone call to Barry Town Council yielded excellent results and the much desired photograph of Harry in Mayoral robes during his year in office.
Jewel Details:
- Deputy Mayor's Jewel: Councillor H.T.CLEASE Deputy Mayor 1989-1990
This page last updated 19 May 22
22