About Me

"You will find balance when you embrace the love that surrounds you." – Yoda

My name is Barrie May, and I bring a lifetime of service, compassion, and connection to my role as a Celebrant.

At the age of 19, I began a rewarding career with Essex Fire and Rescue Service in 1989, later retiring from the London Fire Brigade in 2021. Throughout those years, I forged lasting friendships that provided strength during both the challenging and uplifting moments. These relationships taught me the value of community, resilience, and support—qualities I carry with me into every aspect of my life.

As a listening volunteer for the Samaritans, I have honed key skills in empathy and active listening, which are at the heart of my Celebrant work. These experiences have deepened my ability to truly connect with others, offering understanding and compassion during life’s most significant milestones.

I am a family-orientated person who treasures time spent with loved ones, especially on canal boating adventures with my partner and two dogs—Kayla, a Boxer, and Wilma, a Dogue de Bordeaux. I also enjoy keeping active through paddleboarding, cycling, and training at my local gym.

I grew up watching the original Star Wars films in 1977, and from that moment, I was hooked. The epic struggle between light and dark, good and evil, has always resonated with me deeply. Over the years, the stories of hope, redemption, and resilience in the face of adversity have inspired both my personal life and my career.

Star Wars has taught me the importance of embracing the light, finding balance, and always striving for a better future—values that I carry with me in everything I do, especially in my work as a celebrant, where I help others celebrate the beautiful journey of love and life.