Cranbrook Operatic and Dramatic Society

Doreen Beardsmore

A Rose without a Thorn - 1953

KDA Rewards ceremony - 2009

Doreen Beardsmore 2009

4th January 1925 - 15th August 2010

Book of Condolences

From Message

George Hudson (President CODS) Annie’s sad call to me triggered so many happy memories I have of Doreen over more than 50 years but they cannot equate the sorrow that I feel for all her family at her passing. I know that I write for all members of the society in paying tribute to a model for us all. At the head of a family whose contribution to the society is unmatched, Doreen has been actress, backstage, wardrobe mistress, front of house and finally president. Her retirement from that role was not the end as we are now benefitting from her enormous efforts with our archives. Her presentation with a lifetime achievement award at last year’s KDA evening was a fitting tribute to her nearly 60 years membership of a society who want to acknowledge her place in its story.

Sheila and Stephen Kent We were very shocked to hear the sad news about Doreen. We have known her since 1998 when we first arrived in Hawkhurst and when Sheila was asked to help in the CODS Costume Department. She has many happy memories of freezing cold mornings (and indeed boiling hot ones too) spent in the wardrobe hut behind School House searching, sorting and putting away endless numbers of costumes with Doreen, Pam Baker and Rita. Doreen was always so positive and supportive to CODS somehow making it a really enjoyable experience to be part of. She will be greatly missed by all her friends and our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Bernard, Annie and all her family.

Charlotte Fillmore I have always admired Doreen as the gracious matriarch of our society. I am so grateful to her for the many, many hours she spent earlier this year sorting and filing 90 years worth of CODS archive materials and photographs. We are very fortunate to have Annie, as committed as her mother was, to continue the ‘Beardsmore’s ’ unfailing commitment to ensure we have a thriving amateur dramatics group. My love and thoughts are with Bernard, Annie and family x

Rose and Tom Foy I have just heard the sad news about Doreen from Michelle, and wanted to say how sorry Rose and I are. Although Rose is not in CODS she knew Doreen well because they used to sing together in the Choral Society, and we both enjoyed her company at our dinners.

Please tell Bernard and the family how very sorry we are.

Madeleine Jordan I can't tell you how shocked I was to receive [the email], and how saddened I am by the news. Seeing Doreen and Bernard very regularly was our opportunity to talk all things theatrical that we had respectively seen in London and of course, most recently, supplying Doreen with a great deal of my material for the archives that she was collating.

Your news immediately took me back to 'When We Are Married', when Bernard acted and Doreen and Sandra were Wardrobe and made my red dress, as there was nothing available that fitted. Early days for the two of us in CODS, but such happy times

Jenni Brand and Jack Parsons Both my father and I are very shocked at the news about Doreen and just want you to know that we are thinking of you at this time.

Apart from being a lovely lady, she was also an irreplaceable institution, and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Brenda Driscoll Just want to say how sorry I am to hear of your loss. No matter how old the person, it still comes as a shock and when it's your mother, it feels so different somehow I suppose because mothers are usually at the centre of a family. Having lost my own mother some years ago, I can still remember how it felt.

My thoughts are with you.

Kat Coy (Beeken) Please send my condolences to Annie and the family x

Brenda Sandys Very sad to hear the news and wished to pass on her condolences

Debbie Knight I have just read about your very sad news and I wanted to extend my deepest sympathies and thoughts to you all at this sad time.

God Bless You all.

Michelle Sandys I was so shocked to receive Annie's message on Sunday evening. Doreen was somebody who has been around in one way or another since I was 6 years old; at Cranbrook Primary School, as Wardrobe Mistress with my mum in CODS and as a staunch supporter of the Society backstage, front-of-house and as our President. She had recently completed the somewhat daunting task of organising our archive, although I think she secretly enjoyed uncovering a few tasty morsels of 1930's gossip and scandal! The KDA Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Doreen last year was so richly deserved and more than a few of us had slightly moist eyes as she proudly stood on stage in front of a warmly applauding audience. Annie, you must be very sad, but very, very proud and so you should be. I send you, your dad Bernard, and the family a big hug & kiss; your mum will be very sorely missed. X

Dennis Russell I am still in shock after opening my e-mail and reading of the very sudden passing of Doreen. My thoughts and condolences go to Bernard and all her family. I knew Doreen for over sixty years since we were members of the Cranbrook Teen and Twenty Club, saw her as the juvenile lead in one of the CODS first plays staged after the war and eventually followed her into the teaching profession. I cannot find any more words at this desperately sad time.

Tina Gallagher Doreen was a remarkable lady with always a beautiful smile and a word of encouragement to all. She has done so much for the Society over many years and will be so sadly missed by all her CODS friends. It was a comfort to know she had lived life to the full to the very end and didn't suffer. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bernard, Annie and all the family. Her light will shine on.

Alan and Loraine Hodge Loraine and I were so sorry to read the sad news about Doreen and our thoughts are with Bernard, Annie, Andy and Max.
Our sincere condolences to you all.

Andrew White When I first joined the Society, I was made to feel very welcome by Doreen, whose enthusiasm for amateur theatre was infectious. Doreen's impressive list of achievements within the Society is truly remarkable and an inspiration for us all. It was most fitting that at the Awards Evening last year, the highlight was the presentation to Doreen, which was clearly appreciated by many prominant members of amateur theatre groups County - wide. My deepest thoughts and sympathies are with Bernard, Annie and all other members of the family.

Rachel Elliott I am so sorry to hear the news, and wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you.
A great big hug to you all, and do phone if there is anything I can do.

James, Catherine Megan Hanaway Not long back from holidays and so sorry to hear the news about your Mum.
Just wanted to say that we're thinking of you and sending many hugs and lots of love. Take care all of you.

Joan and Roger Marchant We were so very sorry to hear about Doreen. She and Bernard were our neighbours for over 30 years and it was in fact Doreen who, when we first moved to Cranbrook, suggested that we join CODS, so we have a lot to thank her for. We were very sorry not to be able to attend her Memorial Service, she will be greatly missed.

Home

From	Message
George Hudson (President CODS)	Annie’s sad call to me triggered so many happy memories I have of Doreen over more than 50 years but they cannot equate the sorrow that I feel for all her family at her passing. I know that I write for all members of the society in paying tribute to a model for us all. At the head of a family whose contribution to the society is unmatched, Doreen has been actress, backstage, wardrobe mistress, front of house and finally president. Her retirement from that role was not the end as we are now benefitting from her enormous efforts with our archives. Her presentation with a lifetime achievement award at last year’s KDA evening was a fitting tribute to her nearly 60 years membership of a society who want to acknowledge her place in its story.
Sheila and Stephen Kent	We were very shocked to hear the sad news about Doreen. We have known her since 1998 when we first arrived in Hawkhurst and when Sheila was asked to help in the CODS Costume Department. She has many happy memories of freezing cold mornings (and indeed boiling hot ones too) spent in the wardrobe hut behind School House searching, sorting and putting away endless numbers of costumes with Doreen, Pam Baker and Rita. Doreen was always so positive and supportive to CODS somehow making it a really enjoyable experience to be part of. She will be greatly missed by all her friends and our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Bernard, Annie and all her family.
Charlotte Fillmore	I have always admired Doreen as the gracious matriarch of our society. I am so grateful to her for the many, many hours she spent earlier this year sorting and filing 90 years worth of CODS archive materials and photographs. We are very fortunate to have Annie, as committed as her mother was, to continue the ‘Beardsmore’s ’ unfailing commitment to ensure we have a thriving amateur dramatics group. My love and thoughts are with Bernard, Annie and family x
Rose and Tom Foy	I have just heard the sad news about Doreen from Michelle, and wanted to say how sorry Rose and I are. Although Rose is not in CODS she knew Doreen well because they used to sing together in the Choral Society, and we both enjoyed her company at our dinners. Please tell Bernard and the family how very sorry we are.
Madeleine Jordan	I can't tell you how shocked I was to receive [the email], and how saddened I am by the news. Seeing Doreen and Bernard very regularly was our opportunity to talk all things theatrical that we had respectively seen in London and of course, most recently, supplying Doreen with a great deal of my material for the archives that she was collating. Your news immediately took me back to 'When We Are Married', when Bernard acted and Doreen and Sandra were Wardrobe and made my red dress, as there was nothing available that fitted. Early days for the two of us in CODS, but such happy times
Jenni Brand and Jack Parsons	Both my father and I are very shocked at the news about Doreen and just want you to know that we are thinking of you at this time. Apart from being a lovely lady, she was also an irreplaceable institution, and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
Brenda Driscoll	Just want to say how sorry I am to hear of your loss. No matter how old the person, it still comes as a shock and when it's your mother, it feels so different somehow I suppose because mothers are usually at the centre of a family. Having lost my own mother some years ago, I can still remember how it felt. My thoughts are with you.
Kat Coy (Beeken)	Please send my condolences to Annie and the family x
Brenda Sandys	Very sad to hear the news and wished to pass on her condolences
Debbie Knight	I have just read about your very sad news and I wanted to extend my deepest sympathies and thoughts to you all at this sad time. God Bless You all.
Michelle Sandys	I was so shocked to receive Annie's message on Sunday evening. Doreen was somebody who has been around in one way or another since I was 6 years old; at Cranbrook Primary School, as Wardrobe Mistress with my mum in CODS and as a staunch supporter of the Society backstage, front-of-house and as our President. She had recently completed the somewhat daunting task of organising our archive, although I think she secretly enjoyed uncovering a few tasty morsels of 1930's gossip and scandal! The KDA Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Doreen last year was so richly deserved and more than a few of us had slightly moist eyes as she proudly stood on stage in front of a warmly applauding audience. Annie, you must be very sad, but very, very proud and so you should be. I send you, your dad Bernard, and the family a big hug & kiss; your mum will be very sorely missed. X
Dennis Russell	I am still in shock after opening my e-mail and reading of the very sudden passing of Doreen. My thoughts and condolences go to Bernard and all her family. I knew Doreen for over sixty years since we were members of the Cranbrook Teen and Twenty Club, saw her as the juvenile lead in one of the CODS first plays staged after the war and eventually followed her into the teaching profession. I cannot find any more words at this desperately sad time.
Tina Gallagher	Doreen was a remarkable lady with always a beautiful smile and a word of encouragement to all. She has done so much for the Society over many years and will be so sadly missed by all her CODS friends. It was a comfort to know she had lived life to the full to the very end and didn't suffer. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bernard, Annie and all the family. Her light will shine on.
Alan and Loraine Hodge	Loraine and I were so sorry to read the sad news about Doreen and our thoughts are with Bernard, Annie, Andy and Max. Our sincere condolences to you all.
Andrew White	When I first joined the Society, I was made to feel very welcome by Doreen, whose enthusiasm for amateur theatre was infectious. Doreen's impressive list of achievements within the Society is truly remarkable and an inspiration for us all. It was most fitting that at the Awards Evening last year, the highlight was the presentation to Doreen, which was clearly appreciated by many prominant members of amateur theatre groups County - wide. My deepest thoughts and sympathies are with Bernard, Annie and all other members of the family.
Rachel Elliott	I am so sorry to hear the news, and wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you. A great big hug to you all, and do phone if there is anything I can do.
James, Catherine Megan Hanaway	Not long back from holidays and so sorry to hear the news about your Mum. Just wanted to say that we're thinking of you and sending many hugs and lots of love. Take care all of you.
Joan and Roger Marchant	We were so very sorry to hear about Doreen. She and Bernard were our neighbours for over 30 years and it was in fact Doreen who, when we first moved to Cranbrook, suggested that we join CODS, so we have a lot to thank her for. We were very sorry not to be able to attend her Memorial Service, she will be greatly missed.