A LOCAL musician has penned a song about Kes author Barry Hines in a bid to raise money for a campaign to erect a statue in his honour.
Barry is perhaps best-known for writing the well-loved classic A Kestrel for a Knave. He died in March 2016.
Sculptor Graham Ibbeson is making a statue of Billy Casper and his kestrel as he was played in the film Kes. It was the idea of Ronnie Steele, a former teacher who was a pupil of Barry’s.
Musician Del Scott Miller, 39, of Standhill Crescent, New Lodge, was approached by the committee to organise some fundraisers, and was asked to write a song.
It’s called Little Blinder, which is a reference from A Kestrel For a Knave and Barry’s first book The Blinder.
Del said he has kept it upbeat, and it has a folk-feel to it.
He said: “The song is about Barry Hines, it’s dedicated to him and is about his influence.
“I’ve spoken to one or two of his students, focussing on his influence on the people he taught and the people who read his books. Billy Casper gets a mention, naturally.
“I’ve also drawn on his history as a miner - before he became a teacher, he was a miner and from Barnsley as a whole.
“Kes has been part of the national curriculum for so many years. But I've also been digging a bit deeper, and finding out about Barry as a person, his upbringing, and speaking to people whose lives have been positively influenced by him.
“I got a good, well-rounded picture of Barry as opposed to the man we all know, the man behind Kes.
“He came across as someone who was very proud of his Barnsley heritage and someone who wasn’t afraid to put that into his work.”
Del is also hoping to speak with Barry’s wife Eleanor.
The song will be recorded in the next few months, and Del is hoping to involve other local musicians. It will be available on the internet, and discussions will be held about whether there will be a CD.
Del said: “We’ll start recording over the next couple of months, come the middle of August it should be recorded and we’ll hopefully get it out in September.
“The guy who is recording it is called Judd, which is nice.
“As a Barnsley lad and musician, this is a wonderful thing to be asked to do.
“I’m absolutely delighted and very proud.”
