Les Barker

English poet and performer (30 January 1947 - 14 January 2023) born in Manchester but later lived in Wales. He trained as an accountant before becoming a professional writer, and published many books and recordings throughout his career and performed at folk festivals in the UK. His work introduced a number of folk heroes: Jason and the Arguments, Cosmo The Fairly Accurate Knife Thrower, Captain Indecisive and Spot Of The Antarctic.

Les began his career as assistant to Mrs Ackroyd, a small dog who lay around in folk clubs, bit people and became famous. Mrs Ackroyd was the only dog ever to own her own record label. After her demise, Les performed mainly solo.

Les died from an apparent heart attack and was found unresponsive in his car the day after attending a football match in Oswestry, Shropshire, England.