Ena Kellaway

Ena Kellaway, Kelly to all who know her, celebrates her 90th birthday on 23rd June, 2001.She retired to live in Shirehampton in 1978 after a career in nursing, specialising in midwifery.She served in a number of Bristol hospitals and from Southmead Hospital was promoted to Matron in Charge of St. Brendas Maternity Hospital in Clifton, where she remained until her retirement.Kelly has always been interested in amateur dramatics and whilst working at Southmead Hospital she wrote the scripts for the annual pantomimes performed there.

On arriving in Shirehampton she set about reviving interest in local amateur theatre, which had been in decline for a number of years.A few people responded to her advert to attend a meeting at her home in the late 1970s due to her enthusiasm and drive OThe Shire Players were formed.She wrote the scripts in verse for their first two pantomimes put on at the Public Hall 'Hey Diddle Diddle at the Cat and Fiddle and 'Sinbad the Sailor, the first of 'The Shire Players successful stage shows.In later years, when 'The Shire Players and 'The Pembroke Players merged, they called themselves 'The Kellaway Players as a tribute to her initial work.She was for many years a member of the Bristol Writers Circle, writing poems and short stories, several of which were published, and at one stage winning the 'Womens Own national story competition.She is a past President of the Shirehampton Womens Institute and is still an active member, always ready to host fund-raising and charity events at her home.

The W.I. will be toasting her health at their June meeting with a glass or two, and the main celebration will be at 'The Bridge at Southmead Hospital on Saturday, 23rd June.