The Rev. Herbert Barnes Memorial Fund is a charity linked to Newcastle upon Tyne Unitarians, named in honour of Rev. Herbert Barnes and intended to support the development of Unitarian Ministers. Each year, Newcastle Unitarians present a financial award to a student from Unitarian College who, in the opinion of the College Principal, is a worthy entrant to the Unitarian Ministry. The object of the award is to provide each year the beginnings of a library for an outgoing student of the college who is about to enter the Unitarian Ministry.

In 2025, the award has been presented to Rev. Rob. Foreman! Here’s a brief introduction to him:

Robert discovered Unitarianism when he realised his great-grandfather had worked on the construction of the Nazareth Chapel in Padiham, Lancashire. He became a member there and felt a strong calling to Unitarian ministry. Rob has since completed training with Unitarian College, including successfully completing a BA Hons in Theology at Luther King in Manchester. Rob has been appointed as Minister of Park Lane Chapel, Wigan; Cairo Street Chapel, Warrington and Matthew Henry Chapel, Chester, and his ordination was held at Padiham on Saturday 29th November 2025.

He will lead worship for us on 31st May 2026. We look forward to seeing him!