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Page 74
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Roland Barrett
• Mr Roland Barrett believes in the family business: its the backbone of our country, he says. As founder member and md of the Old House iRemovals and Warehousing) Ltd at Seaford — a family affair since 1945 — he also believes in good service.
And during the next 12 months, as president of the BAR, this affable remover tells me: "I'm going to do everything possible to get the Association well known. And make sure that everyone who is moved by a BAR member will be sure he is getting reliable service."
Service is something he knows all about. "I've been in transport since 1926 and in the removal business since I came out of the Army. We had just one van in those days. Now we have eight, devoted solely to removals."
Mr Barrett joined the local area branch of the BAR in 1946 and since then has held office at local levels: "I have been really involved with the Association for about 10 years."
Last year, he was chairman of the Inland Group and vice-president of the 1600-member Association. He also played a part in joining the NAFVVR, the BAFR and the IFWRI, which finally became the BAR early in 1972.
"Removing is a specialized business. It's just as important to know how to pack a van as it is to keep the van running. My hope is that people. will realize that a BAR remover is worth while."
Mr Barrett has five children and three stepchildren. His eldest, Peter, is already in the business. Are the others going to follow in his footsteps? "Let's just say I have some ready-made staff up and corning," Mr Barrett quipped.
During his spare time he's a keen antique collector. And travelling round on business also serves as a way to look out for a "collector's piece". "I haven't really got much spare time. At 63, I'm beyond the golfing age. But the thing I really enjoy is the weekends, when all the family get together at our country home in Hailsham."
Returning to his task for the next year, I asked Mr Barrett what he thought of rumours that the BAR has a limited future.
"Of course it has r .a future. What we are suffering from are teething troubles. The BAR has got to have a future. There is no other way of representing the removers to the authorities. We'll just have to get down and give it a future." P.R.