• Contact us
  • About us
  • Digital edition
  • Online archive
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

    Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

    Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

    Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

    Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

    Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

    £15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

    £15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

    Changes to business rates

    Changes to business rates

    Tesco Express opens doors in Penrith

    Tesco Express opens doors in Penrith

  • Sport
    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

    Kirkby Stephen Hockey Club win league title

    Kirkby Stephen Hockey Club win league title

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

    Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

    Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

    Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

    Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

    Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

    £15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

    £15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

    Changes to business rates

    Changes to business rates

    Tesco Express opens doors in Penrith

    Tesco Express opens doors in Penrith

  • Sport
    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

    Kirkby Stephen Hockey Club win league title

    Kirkby Stephen Hockey Club win league title

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
No Result
View All Result
Home Latest

Bill Turner – a musical talent known for his wit and wisdom

by CWH
31 December 2021
in Latest, Obituaries
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Bill Turner

Eden lost a man known for his musical talent, theatrical expertise, wit and good humour with the death of Bill Turner, of Sand Croft, Penrith, aged 68.

Bill was particularly well known for his long association with Penrith Players, both on stage and behind the scenes, regular performances as a guitarist and singer and role as a meticulous proofreader with the Herald.

Born in Stoke-on-Trent, he was the middle of three children, sandwiched between two sisters, Sue and Wendy.

Bill inherited his lifelong love of music from his parents. His father played several instruments, including the Hawaiian guitar, and his mother sang in a choir.

Music was very much part of his family life.

All through his childhood, Bill was interested in both theatre and music but his parents insisted he learn a trade and get a “proper job”. He trained as a printer’s compositor during the day while playing in a band called Solent in the evenings and performing in the area around Stoke.

As soon as he qualified as a compositor he applied to and was accepted into Birmingham School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art, where he spent the next few years and won several awards for his acting abilities.

After leaving the Birmingham school, Bill worked for several regional theatres, including Theatre North in Sheffield, Dukes Theatre in Lancaster and Torch Theatre in Milford Haven, both as an actor and stage manager.

He then went to Cannon Hill Puppet Theatre in Birmingham to work as a puppeteer, which saw him involved during a tour to Hong Kong.

He first met his future wife Sandra in 1979 while Theatre North was doing the summer season at the old Blue Box Theatre in Keswick. They were married nine years later in 1988.

It was in 1989 that they moved from Sheffield to Penrith so Sandra could help her mother care for her grandmother ­— three generations in one house.

Bill worked as a taxi driver for a brief period but was not happy doing this and so applied to the Herald for a job as a proofreader. He was taken on, became part of the newspaper’s family and remained there until 2017.

Herald editor Emily Atherton said: “Bill was a valued member of the Herald team as a proofreader for many years. His wit and wisdom will be greatly missed by all of us who knew and worked with him.”

Bill’s interest in the theatre remained strong so he joined Penrith Players where he performed ­— he was well known for his ability to speak in many different accents ­— directed and worked backstage, especially in the lighting department.

His more memorable productions included taking the roles of Rene in Allo Allo and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol and directing Little Shop of Horrors and Cabaret among many others. He also co-wrote a couple of Christmas shows.

Mike Head, who worked alongside Bill at the Players for many years, said: “Bill was a consummate professional. With the Players he was an actor, director, writer, technician and musician, all of which he did excellently.

“He was known for his wit and humour. I know of no-one who didn’t like him. Despite all his skills there was no edge to him. He was generous in his help to all. He will be severely missed.”

Bill also joined a band called The Beagles with Phil and Sarah Caton and Nick Thomas, playing his 12-string guitar and singing. They became quite well known in Cumbria and Bill enjoyed his time with them very much.

A few years later he was asked to join a band called Soul Junction as their bass player and was very happy to be performing again.

He was known for his ability to know the words to any song and to play it despite the fact that he could not read a note of music.

Reluctantly he had to retire from Soul Junction earlier this year due to his increasing ill health but he still managed to keep cheerful and enjoy a good laugh.

He will be missed very much by all his family and many friends. The funeral service was held on Thursday at the Eden Valley crematorium.

Richardsons Funeral Directors, Penrith, had charge of the arrangements.

Related Posts

Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty
Latest

Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

5 June 2025
Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth
Latest

Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

30 May 2025
Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism
Latest

Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

30 May 2025
Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters
Latest

Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

29 May 2025
£15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith
Latest

£15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

26 May 2025
Tesco Express opens doors in Penrith
Latest

Tesco Express opens doors in Penrith

23 May 2025
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Most popular

Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

5 June 2025
Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

30 May 2025
Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

30 May 2025
Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

30 May 2025
Sheep showing season begins

Sheep showing season begins

30 May 2025
Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

30 May 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Logo

33 Middlegate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 7SY

Phone: 01768 862313
Email: news@cwherald.com

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190
VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • News
  • Sport
  • Farming
  • Property
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Your view

Useful links

  • Contact us
  • Photosales
  • Online archive
  • Buy your paper
  • Digital edition
  • North Lakes Living
  • Advertise
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
IPSO Logo
Review Your Cart
0
Discount
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal
Total Installment Payments
Bundle Discount
Checkout

 
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • more
    • North Lakes Living
    • Buy Photos
    • Buy your paper
    • About us
    • Contact us

© 2020 Cumberland & Westmorland Herald