Members will be saddened to learn of the death of Neil McKellar.
When I first joined the SPC in 1967, Neil was the Club’s Honorary Secretary and I remember him introducing meetings with flair and enthusiasm. He was a member of the SPC Committee that co-arranged the National Theatre Open Forum at the Royal Pavilion, with a panel including Tom Stoppard and Kenneth Tynan, as part of the first Brighton Festival in 1967.
Neil wrote plays that were well received by the Club (including STUMPED) and he was much in demand as a reader. After a period away from the Club, he re-joined around six years ago and another of his plays, THERE CAME WISE MEN, was given a reading. Neil was perceptive in his criticisms of members’ plays and always offered positive advice.
Once again, he became a valued member of the Committee and was appointed Vice Chair but, sadly, ill health meant he had to withdraw from this position and from attending Club meetings. His gentle humour and friendly manner will be remembered with affection.
Trevor Harvey