AddThis SmartLayers

I can see clearly now

FAMILY, friends and Ipswich’s theatrical community were in mourning today after death of The Evening Star’s long-serving theatre critic Carol Carver. The 68-year-old was a former chief sub-editor of the Star, but it was the theatre that was the love of her life and she was a keen supporter of amateur and professional productions in the area. Mrs Carver died last night after a long illness – but she retained a keen interest in the theatre until the end. Evening Star editor Nigel Pickover said: “Carol had a great enthusiasm for the craft of journalism. She was redoubtable and didn’t take fools gladly.” Deputy editor Mike Pennock added: “Staff at The Evening Star are very sorry to hear of Carol’s death and we send our sympathies to her family and friends. “Carol was a great character in the newsroom – a real stickler for accuracy and clarity in writing. “Her work as a theatre critic was highly valued and always entertaining – she will be sadly missed by all in the amateur dramatic community.” Co-op Juniors producer Pauline Walker was saddened to hear of her death: “Carol was very supportive of the Juniors and always covered our productions. “Her death is a real loss for the theatre community in the town.” Mrs Carver’s son, Stephen Askill, said today that the theatre was the love of her life. “She came to the area with her second husband, Bill, in 1976. The theatre was the love of her life – that’s how she met Bill.” Former Evening Star editor David Henshall said: “We have lost a great friend and loyal colleague who had the most wonderful sense of humour which she retained in the face of physical pain.” Her close friend Barbara Butler also paid a glowing tribute. She said: “I shall remember her courage during the last difficult years of her life and, despite being in a wheelchair for so long, whenever I took her out she was good company and had a ready wit. She was a fun friend to have.”