Following the sad death of long standing SDS member Linda Betteridge in August, we received written tributes from SDS members and those who met and worked with Linda during her long involvement with the society and the Quay:
Tom Eddington (member and SDS archivist): Linda made her first of many SDS appearances on stage way back in 1989, having been involved with the society as a volunteer set painter a little before that. Since then she built up a prolific back catalogue of productions, especially over the last two decades. She also directed seven productions for SDS, her directorial debut coming in 2004 with Abigail's Party. She was her usual enthusiastic self as one of the Furies in Maryland earlier this year, in what has sadly become her final curtain call. Listing all of Linda's programme credits would be a mind-numbing task, given her immense contribution to publicity for virtually every production of recent times. T xx
Annie Eddington (SDS member): so sorry to hear about Linda. Here's a little memory as requested. I've kept it short as I'm sure you'll be inundated with contributions:
Linda - Queen Bee of the Doc Martens!
My panto costume was never complete without a pair of DMs borrowed from Linda - white ones... sparkly ones... she always came up with the goods. We both owned an identical flowery pair. Mine were genuine vintage - bought when I was 21 - and Linda always insisted I'd make a fortune if I sold them on eBay! I'm wearing them now - in memory of an amazing lady xx
Sonia Lindsey (SDS member): Wishing you every part you ever wanted to play on the other side, Linda. XxxxX
Nick Elliott: Such sad news. Very happy memories of being a big bad Wolf determined to eat Linda as Granny in Red Riding Hood, and more recently her invaluable help with publicity for Man and Boy ...not to mention the superb publicity shot she took of me as Jack Manningham which is now framed and on the sideboard. Arty Stuart and I will both miss her tremendously and send our love and sincere condolences xxx
Emily Young (SDS member): Until we share the stage together again Linda. It’s been an absolute pleasure.
Liz Cole (SDS and Quay Board member): I was so sorry to hear that Linda has gone, she had such courage and determination to overcome every challenge thrown at her in life. I always thought she would she would keep on defying the final curtain call for a long while yet. We didn't always share the same opinions on some things, but we all shared the love for SDS. Over the years I saw her grow in confidence and skills in all aspects of drama at the Quay. Her loyalty and achievements will remain in our memories for all members past and present and many others at the Quay. Respect, sister! My thoughts go to the family at this sad time.
Dean and Becky Marshall (Dean is an SDS member): So sad to hear the news of Linda's passing. She made me feel so welcome when I first joined. I'm so grateful to her for giving me my first role with SDS. She was such an inspiration with her tireless work for the society. She will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and sympathies to her family and friends. Much Love, Dean & Becky
Lucy Foster (SDS member): Linda directed me in my all-time favourite play with SDS at the Quay Theatre, as Beverly in Abigail’s Party in 2004. I had longed to play this role and Linda put her trust in me – a newbie then to SDS. Linda totally embraced me and from then on in, I have admired her absolute commitment, enthusiasm, energy and drive to everything she turned her hand to – acting, directing and notably running the publicity side of the Society, with the same tenacity that she faced her health challenges with over the years.
Linda faced cancer with a bright optimism and this was reflected in her colourful clothes and hair colours too! Always up for and fun at a party and fearlessly proud of her family and grandchildren. Memories of happy times spent in Linda’s company – in rehearsal, on stage, in the theatre, at the Quay Bar, at parties and events will not fade and she will live on in her children and her children’s children.
I raise a glass to you Linda. Shine as brightly as you did when you were with us. Lucy x
Paul Press (Quay Board Chairman): So sorry to hear that sad news. I had a lovely chat with Linda at the Quay and SDS meeting recently. Please pass on my condolences to her family. Best wishes, Paul
Peter Drew (SDS member): She was so positive and cheerful and I'm glad I responded to her FB posts. Peter
Lorna Hollister (SDS member): I first met Linda in early 2009 - I was looking to join a new drama group and found the SDS website advertising auditions for Daisy Pulls It Off, which she was directing. (I later found out she ran the website as well at that time). I turned up and Linda was welcoming, friendly and enthusiastic, as was everyone else there. She cast me the same night despite me protesting that I was a bit old to play a schoolgirl (!) My main memory of the rehearsals was that she was always incredibly organised, it felt like every prop was there from the first rehearsal and she had planned exactly how she wanted everything.
A few years later, I joined the committee at about the same time that Linda rejoined it, and I discovered just how much else she did behind the scenes for every single production. Even when she was having chemo and still working more or less full time she was still sorting out programmes, press releases, flyers and much more besides. Very few people (if any) have devoted quite so much time and energy to SDS over so many years, and in honour of that she was unanimously voted a life member at the most recent AGM. It is incredibly sad that life was cut short so soon afterwards. My thoughts are with her family, many of whom of course are also involved with SDS.
Sarah Byham: Oh my goodness, how awful! I'm totally in shock. How sad that she and Steve didn't have long together as a married couple. My condolences to Steve and the family.
Jude Biggs (SDS member): I am so very sorry to hear the sad news that Linda Betteridge has passed away. I was only acquainted with Linda in the early days of her joining SDS. She was such a vital energy for the Society and always friendly. My thoughts are with Linda's family and Steve. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
Kerys Stephens (SDS member and Linda's daughter): Thank you all for your well wishes and thoughts, it's been a big comfort to know how many people ‘kinda liked her’, tee hee!