Tributes pour in for actor Gwyneth Powell who lived in Hurst

Gwyneth played headmistress Bridget McClusky in the show between 1981 and 1991 but was also known for featuring on Channel 4’s comedy Man Down, as well as Holby City.

Gwyneth died in Brighton last Thursday “after complications following a major operation for a perforated colon”, her agent confirmed.

Outside of her professional acting, Gwyneth and her husband Alan Leith would enjoy time with amateur theatre companies where they lived in Hurstpierpoint.

Gwyneth Powell in 1999. Picture from The Argus archive (Image: Newsquest)

Hurst Players, based at the Players Theatre in Hassocks Road, Hurstpierpoint, was one of these theatre companies.

Bob Sampson, trustee at Hurst Players, said: “Gwyneth’s involvement with Hurst Players goes back years.

“She always made an effort to come to every production, when she wasn’t working away from Hurst.

“When we had a fundraising non-stop Shakespeare, where we read all of Shakespeare’s plays non-stop, 24 hours a day for a whole weekend, Gwyneth and her husband Alan took part in the public reading of Anthony and Cleopatra.

“Gwyneth said she had always wanted to play Cleopatra but knew she would never get cast in it in a professional production.

Gwyneth Powell with her dog Bertie in the same 1999 photoshoot (Image: Newsquest)

“She was always a strong supporter of our group.”

Gwyneth was born in Manchester and studied at Goldsmiths University in London to become a teacher.

In an interview with Hurst Life Magazine, Gwyneth spoke of how she was a member of the National Youth Theatre from 16 and during her final year at college performed in a play at the Royal Court, London, in a play called Bartholomew Fair.

Gwyneth immediately started getting offers from agents.

She decided to focus on acting and moved down to Worthing where she joined a newly launched theatre company called The Connaught Theatre.

Gwyneth stayed there for two years where she met her husband Alan.

She landed her first acting job as the female lead in the dystopian drama The Guardians.

Gwyneth and Alan lived in Brighton for 12 years before moving to Hurstpierpoint where she discovered the Hurst Players.

Tributes flooded in online for Gwyneth.

Trude Richardson said: "I went to her house a few times for tea and biscuits when she lived by the station.

"Such a lovely lady."

Leigh Bishop said: "I'm sure she lived by Brighton Station at one point.

"She would say hello to my dear dad in Trafalgar Lane."

Yvonne Ruff added: "Rest in peace Gwyneth. Another great actress, used to love watching Grange Hill."

Freyja Fox said: "My friends and I spotted her going in to Hanningtons department store in Brighton years ago. 

"We were on a pub crawl and shouted “Mrs McClusky!” and chased her around the store. 

"She was too quick and escaped."

Grace Taylor said: "Fly high with the angels Gwyneth. Condolences to her friends and family."