ALE March-April 2011 No. 349

Brenda and husband Bruce first got involved with the Festival in the mid-80s through their role as St John's Ambulance volunteers. Someone had cut their finger preparing staff lunches and (for shame) no plasters could be located. A call went out to a first aid training company to order up a suitable kit and the person at the other end asked if we also wanted St Johns on site. On being told yes the answer was “I'll see what we can do but probably won't be able to get anyone until the evening”. Brenda and Bruce arrived 40 minutes later. They obviously liked what they saw as they were soon CAMRA members and heavily involved in all aspects of the Festival – indeed Bruce was Festival Organiser for several years. Brenda's illness was a sadly long one but that in no way stopped her playing a full part in recent Festivals. Perhaps the best way to pay tribute to this amazing lady is to hear the words of two colleagues:

“Ah Brenda – what can I say with a heart of gold beating under a tough exterior, a person who didn't take fools gladly – a woman after my own heart! The first year I became food manager, I was told six hours before the last day that my duties included organising the staff party later that day. Brenda turned up unasked well before the event to help me prepare the food and give me much needed moral support. Brenda will be missed both by those who knew her well and those who knew her only slightly as she was one of the characters of the Festival who have made it what it is today”

“It's going to be strange turning up at the Festival this summer - walking through those metal gates and past the staffing office without Brenda's head popping out and shouting out yet again “you have to sign in and why the hell can't you wear your badge?” There was a reason she was called Attila the Hen. She loved giving out jobs with everyone's best interests at heart. Mostly, I'll miss the softer side that few knew about – the side that stayed up late and got up early to make sure things were done. The side that gave me a cuddle I really needed when it had all got too much. That's what she was – a mum to everybody and ready to tell you off at the drop of a hat. I truly will miss you Brenda”

And so say all of us.