CROWDS of mourners turned out to honor the memory of David Barnes, who was affectionately known as Barny.

Christ Church in Little Broughton was so packed that a lot of people were stood outside.

Barny was remembered for his comedic and warm personality, Reverend Godfrey Butland repeated a comment from one of Barny’s friends saying that people felt better from being around him.

This makes the first song played especially poignant: ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’.

Mr Barnes was referred to only as Barny for the entire service as it represents his “larger than life” character.

It was a bitter sweet occasion. As was his wish, Barny’s funeral was a celebration of his life.

The eulogy told stories of his mischievous pranks and antics, man of the people Barny was said to be the ‘”life and soul”. A line from his daughter Stacey comes to mind: “Though called a buffoon in your school report, he was the savviest bloke this side of Maryport.”

Reverend Butland noted that his sunny personality and the laughter he brought will be missed by his family and friends. “There is going to be a Barny shaped gap in your life.”

In his free time, Barny loved caring for animals on his allotment which was known as ‘BarnyWorld’; “Here was his sanctuary” said the reverend.

Barny was also an avid rugby player and despite his charismatic personality, he was “a force to be reckoned with” on the pitch for Broughton Red Rose.

The reverend told an astonishing story of Barny once crashing into an opposing player with such force that the two popped the ball. He brought that ferocity shown on the pitch into his battle with multiple myeloma which he fought since 2015. In honor of his fighting spirit, the mourners sang the hymn, ‘Fight The Good Fight’.