BP News

Clive Rushbrook

On 31st May 2009 Clive Rushbrook sadly lost his long fight against illness. He was just 66. Although Clive never acted on stage with the Bancroft Players, he will be fondly remembered by many Members as one of their staunchest supporters.

Clive's involvement with the Bancroft Players dated from Jenny's role with the Society (in the mid 1970's) when, in her prime, she played Miss Brodie. Their lawyer son Daniel was a founder member of the Youth Group and their very successful professional actress daughter Claire also embarked on her career via Rory's academy. In a nutshell through Clive's love and support of his family he became an ardent supporter of all things Queen Mother Theatre.

Clive was the only child of George and Florence Rushbrook. His father was a merchant sea-man and being away from home for most of the time Clive was brought up my his mum. Clive particularly enjoyed the outdoor life and was a real Suffolk/Norfolk boy at heart becoming one of the very first young people in the country to receive the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Medal for Outward Bound Activity. When the family moved to Gorleston, Clive joined the Baptist Church Youth club where he first met Jenny whom he was subsequently to wed in 1966. Following school Clive went onto St. Luke's College Exeter where he studied pottery, art and religious studies and qualified as a teacher. He then began what became a very successful career in teaching – thirty-two years of which he spent at Etonbury School in Stotfold, first as a specialist art & pottery teacher, then as Head of Year, and finally as Senior Teacher being for a time Acting Deputy Head.

Clive was a modest, unassuming man yet he was a very talented pianist and an artist who over many years sold his watercolour landscapes commercially in Harrods, Heals and many art galleries. He was also an ardent fisherman, an enthusiastic ballroom dancer and an accomplished cook. Clive was a true "enabler" – always ready to help someone out and generous to a fault with his time. He was a man of strong opinion and principles who could at times be fiercely outspoken – feisty – never shirking from the truth, but balanced with a wicked sense of humour. Clive was an all round smashing bloke who will be sorely missed by everybody.

Our thoughts go out to Jenny and her family.

Brian Hull

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Would you be kind enough to pass on my thanks to the Committee and the members of the Bancroft Players for sending me the beautiful flowers and very kind messages of love and support upon the death of my beloved husband, Clive.

I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of all our friends in the Society and to see so many of you there, at the funeral, was just wonderful. I am so touched.

Although Clive was not involved in a practical way at the theatre he always gave me tremendous support in whatever I did and he thoroughly enjoyed productions, social evenings and those magnificent ‘Away Weekends.'

I do hope to come back down to the theatre soon and look forward to seeing you all. Once again, my heartfelt thanks to all our friends in the Bancroft Players

With my love

Jen Rushbrook