It is with great sorrow that The Watford Festival has heard of the passing of Helen Thorpe.

Helen was a great supporter and friend of the Festival, in particular the Speech & Drama section, for many years. As a Speech & Drama teacher, Helen entered her pupils each year and prepared them all to give exemplary performances. But her contribution to the Festival went well beyond this: she was the Speech & Drama Section Leader for two long stints – first, from around 1984-89, and then from 2008-15. She brought her formidable organisational skills to the running of the Section, both in terms of the impeccable set-up behind the scenes and then by her presence at all the classes as the adjudicator’s assistant. Together with other Speech & Drama Section Leaders, she perfected the system that has been used to run the Section smoothly these many years.

In addition to her prodigious commitment to the Festival, Helen has been a much loved teacher to scores of pupils and their parents. She has helped generations of children to improve their confidence and skill at performing before an audience, organising and delivering information in an engaging way and communicating meaning and emotion through speaking poetry and prose.

Her contribution to the Festival has been immeasurable. The Festival Committee send their heartfelt condolences to Helen’s family.