The family of a Swindon sci-fi author and grandfather have paid tribute to a "wonderful man who got on with everybody".

Barry Woodham died earlier this month at the age of 81 and made a name for himself locally as a writer with a big imagination and a big heart.

The retired design engineer went to Sanford Street School for Boys, studied Mechanical Engineering at Swindon Technical College, and went on to work at the JET fusion research facility at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in Oxfordshire for 13 years.

During his long and happy 58-year marriage to Janet Woodham, they looked after 11 cats and 11 German Shepherds.

Barry penned the space epics known as The Genesis Project as well as the fantasy series The Elf Wars, and often shared smaller pieces of prose and poetry on a Facebook page followed by hundreds of fans as well as his blog http://sci-fiauthor.blogspot.com.

Along with a lifelong love of science and reading, Barry enjoyed taking his family on weekend fishing trips in a narrowboat along the canal.

His son David said: “He was wonderful, he loved and was devoted to his wife, he had a very vivid imagination and a scientific mind.

“He enjoyed sci-fi movies and documentaries about space, loved food – especially lamb chops – and was a creative cook.

“He used to get on with everybody, the house was full of friends, and he loved telling them about the books he wrote.

“He had a big sense of humour, he was very kind and loving, he liked life, loved his grandchildren, and was an all-round decent man who was well-liked in the community.”

Janet Woodham remembers meeting him when he asked her to dance at McIlroys on November 27, 1964, then going to the swimming baths for their first date, accepting his proposal for marriage on Boxing Day just 30 days later, and marrying him in March 1966.

She added: “When he asked if I would marry him, I said ‘I’m not in this for fun’.

“We were always very happy, we just hit it off, we were made for each other, and didn’t argue or fight.

“I went fishing with him when our first child was only a fortnight old - he slept under a tree.

“We retired at 54 and it was absolutely wonderful, we did everything we wanted to do.”

Barry appeared in the Adver to discuss his latest novels, which involved incredible flights of fancy such as travelling through time to prevent the Earth being swallowed by the sun, a new genesis for humanity, alien tyrants, and galaxies colliding.

He previously told us: "I have read science fiction since I was a boy and the idea of contemplating worm holes and time travel has always fascinated me.

"All I want is for people to read and enjoy my output."

His page on the Independent Author Network suggested that he came up with the Genesis saga after finding himself without anything to read during a lunch break at work.

He also sent in frequent submissions to our letters' page musing on art, atheism, politics, climate change, alternatives to fossil fuels, and planned additions to the growing Swindon area.

Friend Steve Blanchard described him as “very knowledgeable about many subjects and passionate about the environment and resources running out and what would be left for future generations”.

Steve added: “He came from quite humble stock and would often sign himself off on his social media page as The Boot Menders Boy, which referred to his father who mended boots for a living.“

Barry is survived by his wife, sons Roger, David and Stevan, and four grandchildren.

David added: “He will be greatly missed, he has left a big hole in our lives.”

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