The arts in Watford has lost one of its greatest supporters. The former director and honorary archivist of the Watford Palace Theatre Ian Scleater died last month at the age of 90. Yet there were other aspects of his full and varied life that are perhaps less well known.
Mr Scleater enjoyed working his allotment which he held for 40 years up to his 90th birthday. He was also very proud to have flown on one of the first British Airways commercial Concorde flights from London to Bahrain in February 1976.
He will be remembered as a lovely and well-liked man, a "true gentleman", a description echoed in the countless cards and letters received by his family since he passed away.
Donald Ian Scleater, who was always known as Ian, was born on June 28, 1930 in Watford. He attended Watford Grammar School for Boys and established a career in merchant banking, working his way up from post boy to become an assistant director.
Away from his career, Mr Scleater was to devote his life to supporting the arts and charitable organisations.
He was a director, honorary archivist and keen supporter of the Palace Theatre, raising money for its refurbishment through giving talks and donating proceeds from his book ‘The Story of the Palace Theatre, Watford’ that was written to mark its centenary.
Mr Scleater received a mayor of Watford’s Audentior Award in 2010 in recognition of the book and four years later a blue plaque was unveiled in his honour at the Palace Theatre to acknowledge his considerable fundraising efforts.
Mr Scleater was also a former deputy chairman and honorary treasurer of the Watford Area Arts Forum and a musical director and conductor of many amateur operatic societies in London and the Home Counties, having studied composition under Lesley Regan, a professor at the Royal Academy of Music.
He enjoyed photography and history, particularly Egyptology, was trustee of both Watford Grammar Schools and also supported organisations set up to help those in need.
Mr Scleater was a trustee of The Lawton Trust and The Watford Health Trust and also chairman and trustee for the Peter Le Marchant Trust in Leicestershire, a charity that provides day trips and holidays on the water for children and adults who experience health and social issues in their day to day lives.
His work with charitable organisations and The Prince’s Trust was honoured by the Queen and he was awarded a Commander of the Victorian Order on retiring.
Ian Scleater died in Watford General Hospital on January 25 five days after suffering a stroke. He is survived by his wife Carol, daughters Debbie and Fiona and grandchildren Alex, Emily and Olivia, Ollie and Katie.
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