TRIBUTES have been paid to the former chairman of a theatre group whose work behind the scenes ensured the group had a permanent home.

Keith Henderson joined Whitehaven Theatre Group under the persuasion of his wife Judith, initially working backstage, then as stage manager before progressing to chairman of the group in the early 1990s while working as a contractor.

He used his contacts in helping the group become tenants of the rehearsal premises on Esk Avenue, which the group still occupies to this day.

Whitehaven News: Keith helped secure premises for Whitehaven Theatre Group at Esk Avenue while chairmanKeith helped secure premises for Whitehaven Theatre Group at Esk Avenue while chairman (Image: Family handout)

Keith enrolled the help of Wyndham Jones, a construction manager for McAlpine’s at the time who volunteered the help and support in renovating the building to become habitable from the old derelict shell that it was.

Shaun Donald, of Whitehaven Theatre Group, said: “We owe a great deal to Keith, and all those involved in securing our premises.

“It’s helped us massively over the years, giving us a base and the space to meet, rehearse and even build our sets at a substantially lower cost than the going rates of such a property, meaning we could put more towards the production costs of our shows.

Whitehaven News: Members of Whitehaven Theatre Group say they owe a great deal to Keith, pictured leftMembers of Whitehaven Theatre Group say they owe a great deal to Keith, pictured left (Image: Family handout)

“We have recently purchased the building from Home Group, securing the future of Whitehaven Theatre Group and ensuring that all the time and effort Keith and others dedicated in the early years has not been for nothing.

“Keith joins a host of members we have lost in the recent years, and it’s our duty now to ensure they will always be remembered in the history books of Whitehaven Theatre Group.”

Whitehaven News: Keith worked backstage, then as stage manager before progressing to chairman Keith worked backstage, then as stage manager before progressing to chairman (Image: Family handout)

Keith was born in July 1951 in Whitehaven, and grew up in Mirehouse. He was a much-loved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, nephew, brother-in-law and cousin. He passed away ‘unexpectedly’ at home, aged 72, on January 10.

Donations in his memory can be made to Prostate Cancer UK, care of Adams, Read & Hocking Funeral Directors, Towerson Street Funeral Home, Towerson Street, Cleator.