Art has always been a big part of Barry Rigate’s life – along with golf.

Then in March 1999 the former engineer and draughtsman suffered a major stroke and overnight found himself unable to do the things he loved the most.

But Barry, who lives in Newsome, is made of stern stuff and with the encouragement of his family has managed to build a new life, with the help of an old hobby – and something new.

The golf has had to go, but today Barry, 71, is not only painting again, but has written three historical novels, two children’s books and helped to found an art club.

Art, he says, helped him to come to terms with what had happened and lifted him out of the depression that is a common post-stroke symptom. It was a therapy that he now uses to assist others.

Once a week Barry can be found heading up an art class for all-comers at Huddersfield Library. Those who drop into the free sessions come from all walks of life and all age groups.

Some, like Barry, are stroke survivors, while others have a range of disabilities and conditions from MS to Parkinson’s.

There are students, people with learning difficulties and pensioners who just want a morning of relaxation and companionship.

 The club is currently running special workshops for stroke patients during the Monday sessions.

Although the members of the group paint, draw and exhibit annually, the club also offers them the chance to put their problems to one side or offer help to one-another.

Barry explained: “We can talk through our worries if we want. People find it very absorbing and relaxing.”

The art group has been instrumental in Barry’s own recovery. After the stroke his wife, Susan, says he thought he’d never paint again.

“I had to force him back into it,” she said.  “The art helped him a great deal and he proved to other people that it could be done.”

Barry’s art group was launched six years ago under the PALS (Practice, Activity and Leisure Scheme) umbrella. PALS is an NHS exercise referral scheme run in Kirklees. The art group came about after Barry became involved with the Stroke Association.

He said: “I was in a meeting with two people from the association and they thought I had done so well with using art as a therapy that I should think about forming an art group for others.”

PALS representative Tom King helped him to get the project up and running and the organisation provided all the materials needed.

“Some of the people who come have never picked up a pencil since they left school,” said Barry. “We encourage them to paint or draw and get them started. When you’ve had a stroke or a health problem you can lose your self-confidence.

“One lady who came to the group stood in the doorway for ages and was reluctant to come in.  She had never drawn before, but now she wishes there were two sessions a week. Just being there lifted me and continues to lift me.”

After his stroke Barry discovered that he could barely hold a brush, but Holme Valley artist Ashley Jackson suggested he try using a palette knife or a big brush technique. He enjoys painting landscapes and concentrates on figurative work.

“I’ve had to adapt what I do,” explained Barry.  “So my work is now different from what it was, but it’s given me a chance to explore new ways of painting.”

Throughout his life Barry has struggled against disability. When he was three an accident at a day nursery almost cost him the sight in both eyes after a can of carbolic acid fell on to his face. Fortunately, the sight in his left eye recovered.

Later in life, when working as an engineer, an industrial accident resulted in partial hearing loss, which means he has had to learn to lip read. And then the stroke left him seriously impaired.

Members of the PALS art club at work in the Huddersfield Art Gallery
Members of the PALS art club at work in the Huddersfield Art Gallery

Today Barry still has difficulties moving his left leg and his hands are weak. He suffers from memory loss and while his speech has improved he has dysphasia, which means he struggles to find the right words to express himself.

To help improve his word power after the stroke, Barry’s children, Andrew and Gillian, encouraged him to try his hand at writing.

They gave him a laptop, initially to research their family history, and he went on to write three historical novels set in the late 17th century. He has produced two children’s books and sells them to raise money for charities.

He has also written an essay about what it is like to live with the effects of a stroke. It is used by the Stroke Association to help other sufferers and has even found its way – through a network of friends and contacts – to stroke victims in America and Canada.

The PALS art group meets every Monday  morning from 10.15am until just after noon at  Huddersfield Library. A Transient Ischaemic Attack – also known as a TIA or mini-stroke – causes exactly the same symptoms as a stroke but these symptoms improve within 24 hours. Men are at a higher risk of having a stroke than women.

Although most people who have a stroke are older, around a quarter of strokes happen to younger people and children, even babies. It is estimated that over 20,000 people under 65 have a stroke every year.