A life dedicated to the media and stage
Arch Barclay. Born Napier, died Nelson, May 11, aged 89.
Born in Napier to Scottish immigrant parents, Arch Barclay attended Napier Boys’ High School and went on to Victoria University in Wellington to study for a BA.
Arch spent his younger days working in freezing works, as a rotary hoeing contractor, in wool stores, and as a watersider at Napier’s port.
His 45-year career was mainly spent in the media; reporting in newspapers, including the Nelson Mail, and as a radio announcer reporting on the farming scene for the top of the south. He always signed off his reporting with ‘‘Arch Barclay here’’.
Nan Ward, former Nelson Mail chief reporter, recalls: ‘‘Arch was a welcome and frequent contributor to our local news, but as a walking encyclopaedia of rural knowledge and the Queen’s English, we sometimes clashed.
‘‘The word ‘pugging’ brought about a robust discussion with Arch, who was armed with a wealth of rural knowledge, an incredibly vast vocabulary, and a crusade to educate the masses about rural life.
‘‘A keen thespian, Arch would spontaneously burst into song or begin reciting a Shakespearian soliloquy without warning or apology. His voluminous and passionate delivery demanded your attention, and to hell with newsroom deadlines.
‘‘I will remember him as a genuinely kind and caring man with an enviable zest for living and an unwavering belief that knowledge was the key to life.’’
Nelson MP Nick Smith also remembers: ‘‘Arch had this deep, soft voice combined with a sharp intellect and a wicked sense of humour. He represented the very best in journalism. Arch was friendly, always a gentleman, but relentless in his search for the truth on any issue.
‘‘His voice made you feel so warm and relaxed that my then press secretary was nervous whenever I was interviewed, because Arch would get me to say things I should not.
‘‘Arch remained totally committed to our Nelson community long after retiring. He loved its arts, nature and history. Nelson radio and journalism is poorer for Arch’s passing.’’
Arch wrote several books during his lifetime, including Moonlight Legacy in 2012, which explored the life of the 19th-century Scotsman George Fairweather Moonlight, gold prospector and leader of the Murchison (Hampden) community; and Island Hideaway: Life on Best Island, Waimea Estuary, Nelson, where he lived for more than 30 years. He also compiled the books Snippets of History, and these formed the basis for his brief historical broadcasts on Radio Nelson.
Arch was Nelson District Scout Commissioner from 1969-81, and during this time he produced six Gang Shows. He was also instrumental in running a number of Burns Nights for the Scottish Society.
Joining the Nelson Male Voice Choir in 1998, he regularly attended rehearsals right up to early May this year. Having a fantastic bass voice, knowing songs from numerous shows made him an invaluable as a soloist.
‘‘Arch’s ability to hold an audience in the palm of his hand was legendary,’’ NMVC musical director Andrea Hamilton remembers fondly. ‘‘He could put across a song like no-one else I know. Some years back he did a one-man show full of stories and songs at the School of Music, lasting two hours – amazing!
‘‘He loved life and people, and his work with the Nelson Refugee Assistance Committee was longlasting.’’
Arch was also involved with the NZ Male Choir, and Tony Clemow reminisces: ‘‘Arch Barclay was archetypical: a unique and engaging ‘dinkum’ character. I have many memories of Arch the performer and Arch the orchestrator. On a tour of Wales in 2000, Arch distinguished himself by his performance and mastery of the MC’s role. ‘‘
Dunedin’s Bruce Corlett, also from the NZ Male Choir, says: ‘‘We were so sorry to hear of the death of one of the founding members of the National Choir. We remember Archie as a colourful and friendly person. We can remember him learning the words of Eli Jenkins’ Prayer outside under a tree and getting us to listen.’’
From Nelson Musical Theatre, Barbara Lane remembers; ‘‘I first met Arch at the NSOM in 1965, where we played opposite each other in Naughty Mairetta. We went on to be in Annie Get Your Gun, South Pacific and other musicals/ plays, including Music Man and Lilac Times.
‘‘Arch’s most treasured role was as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof in 1977. We got married three times on stage during our theatrical days.’’
In real life, Arch was married to Dora until she died in 1994; they had two sons, Bruce and Fergus. Eileen Taylor remained a close friend and good companion through his later years.