TRIBUTES have been paid to a stalwart of Ilkley’s drama and music scene.

Paul Woodhouse, became one of Ilkley Playhouse’s key members shortly after arriving in Wharfedale with his wife, Geraldine, in the early 1980s.

Mr Woodhouse, who died on January 21 aged 61, brought a wealth of theatrical experience with him and was also an accomplished musician. In his professional life he was a respected and long serving newspaper sub-editor.

Ilkley Playhouse President Dick Hebbert said: “Most of Paul’s work was as a director, musical director or set designer, although he made a rare stage appearance as one of the gods in Bertholt Brecht’s The Good Person of Szechwan.

“A talented musician and former St Paul’s chorister, Paul brought an innovative and fresh approach to his theatrical work - providing original designs for his sets and choosing mainly modern plays ‘with a bite’ to direct.

“Away from the Playhouse Paul was a much respected journalist, working as a sub-editor on the Bradford Telegraph and Argus and the Yorkshire Post and Evening Post and, more recently, the Daily Mirror.

“He put his musical talent to good use and sang in the Ilkley Choral Society and Cantores Olicanae before, with others, founding the Ilkley choral group Pinsuti. He also played many instruments including, for many years, the saxophone with local band Clear.

“Paul and Geraldine had recently moved to the moors above Airedale after having lived for many years in Ilkley with their daughters Eleanor, Alice and Felicity.”

Former YEP editor Nicola Furbisher, posting on Twitter after hearing of his death, said: “A gentle, quiet man with a fierce intellect and a creative passion that went far beyond the newsroom. learned a great deal from him. He will be so missed.”

Mr Woodhouse, who was born in Exeter, received a long-service award - marking 25 years with Yorkshire Post Newspapers - in 2013.