A Tribute to Doug Bates

It is with much sadness and deep regret that the Society records the death of Doug Bates who passed away after a period of illness on 15th March at the age of 74. He was a much loved and respected Founder and Life Member of Wolverton Gilbert & Sullivan Society. Though extremely sad at Doug’s parting, it is in the spirit of a celebration of his life and work with Wolverton G&S that we remember him here and will continue to remember him.

Doug was a local man having been born in Stony Stratford. He was a very active member of the Society and appeared in most of Wolverton’s productions over the years. One of the most memorable of those productions was the 1985 production of “Princess Ida” where he played Synthius. The immense debt of gratitude that the Society owes to Doug is in his crucial role in setting up the Society back in 1974 along with Arnold Jones, Fred Cornford, Bert Coleman and Clarence Gill. Doug attended that very first meeting to discuss the setting up of the then Wolverton and District Gilbert & Sullivan Society and found himself taking on the role of Treasurer, a role which he continued to do for many years.

Doug was known to have a dry but keen sense of humour and was a traditionalist at heart when it came to his G & S, though not shy of taking on the challenges of new productions. Of the G & S canon Ruddygore was his favourite, this also happened to be the last fully staged production that Doug performed in. However, the last production Doug performed in was the 30th Anniversary Concert in 2005

We hope that by dedicating these performances of “The Mikado” to the memory of Doug Bates, the Society can show its appreciation for his efforts in getting Wolverton G&S started. We also hope that our audiences will also appreciate that the performances they have seen this week have only been possible through the hard work, determination and dedication of Doug Bates in those early years and for his contributions throughout his membership. He will be greatly missed by us all