Tributes to Len Dobson
A STALWART of the Loughborough and Shepshed theatre scene for more than 30 years, Len Dobson, has died at the age of 84.
Described by his wife Jenni as simply “a good and lovely man”, Len was a performer with Christchurch G&S Society in Shepshed and later Greasepaint and LAOS in Loughborough, and appeared in more than 80 shows in his time.
In later life, he transferred his talents to television, appearing as extra in popular daytime shows like Doctors and Father Brown.
Born in South Normanton in August 1935, Len remembered hiding in the cellar at home during air raids in World War Two and the celebrations for VE Day, which he enjoyed telling his grandsons about during last month’s 75th anniversary.
After leaving school in 1950, Len worked for the likes of Not- tinghamshire County Council and Charnwood Borough Council, before becoming a kitchen and bathroom fitter for 20 years.
Len always enjoyed singing and was a member of the Wollaton Road Methodist Church choir, although his earliest memory of performing a solo was being lifted on to a table, aged five, at the local miners’ welfare and singing O for the Wings of a Dove!
Over the subsequent years with Christchurch, Greasepaint and LAOS, his favourite parts included Mr Brownlow in Oliver, Jacob in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the Rabbi in Fiddler on the Roof and Arvide in Guys & Dolls.
One of his most prized compliments came from none other than Danny la Rue, who commented to him what a nice voice he had.
And he passed on the performing bug to his family, notably his son Adrian Dobson and daughter Alix Ashurst, both well known performers on the local theatre scene too.
Len’s son David and his daughter-in-law Rebecca Dobson have also appeared on stage with him in the past, along with grandchildren Becca Dobson and Toby Ashurst.
As well as theatre, Len also had a lifelong passion for fishing.
He is survived by his second wife Jenni, whom he was married to for 48 years, after his first wife June sadly died, and his children Adrian, Louise, David and Alix.
His funeral is on Thursday, June 4, for close family only, but donations in aid of the East Midlands Air Ambulance are welcome via www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ in- memory- of- len- dobson