Ian Hornby, founder of New Theatre Publications (NTP), prolific playwright of over 50 plays, and a personal friend of mine passed away suddenly late Thursday (19) afternoon.

Ian had not been ill although he did have what seemed a minor heart problem.

One of the good guys of Amateur Theatre, Ian was a friend, mentor and a great support to many playwrights who worked with him and knew him.

It is believed Ian’s funeral will be held in Warrington, England on December 27 2013.

I have just spoken to Ian’s wife, Alison, who said she came home and found him lying dead on the floor. What a terrible shock for her.

Ian Hornby visited Grand Cayman with Alison for the premier of “Magna Carta: The Musical Trial of King John”. His company, NTP, published the musical play that was written by Chuck & Barrie Quappe, Dody Denman and myself. He has made two other visits to Grand Cayman with Alison since then.

I was present at Ian and Alison’s wedding in the UK and Joan and I last saw them both three years ago when we were on vacation in Salisbury. They had driven down from Warrington just to see us.

The Cayman Drama Society performed two of Ian’s plays, “Wait Until The Ghost Is Clear” and “Dream Lover” to great success at The Prospect Playhouse.

Ian was also a contributor to iNews Cayman with his entertaining and poignant style coupled with his dry sense of humour.

The photograph of Ian with his wife Ally was taken at my last meeting with them three years ago in Salisbury, UK.

RIP Ian Hornby.

UPDATE:

Alison Hornby has asked me to pass on the following information for anyone wishing to attend Ian’s funeral.

The funeral will be at Walton Crematorium in Warrington at 10.20 on Friday this week (27th) and afterwards at the Walton Golf Club which is just down the road.

The family have requested family flowers only and we will post a list of Ian’s favourite charities soon should anyone wish to make a small donation in his memory.

Many thanks for all of your kind words. All of your comments have been passed on to Alison.

Walton Lea Crematorium, Chester Road, Walton, Warrington, WA4 6TB

Tel: 01925 267731

Walton Hall Golf Club

Warrington Road, Higher Walton, Warrington WA4 5LU
Tel:01925 263061

Related

RIP Ian Hornby – My Play Publisher
POSTED AT DECEMBER 21, 2013
Dear Ian,
I never met you. You were my play publisher for ten years and an internet friend. After I had lost hair and a voice getting my first play on to the London Fringe, you picked it up, put the full stops in the right places and moved the photos to the places I wanted on the page. One month before you died you sent me a new cover for one of my plays and assured me that the ‘ampersand’ would replace an ‘and’ in the title. You received no remuneration for your work but had a passion for plays and playwrights.
I’ve observed you on Facebook and I’ve observed zebras. Zebras are kind, gentle, gregarious, family oriented, fun loving, energetic and they have a keen eye for predators. They are, above all, guiding. You are one of the handful of ‘zebras’ I have had the luck to ‘meet’. You were a positive and productive influence in my life. I was the richer for knowing you and I now am diminished by your sudden departure.
I hope, wherever you are, your plays run on, Ian as I am sure they will here. Alison and family, my thoughts are with you. God bless you.

Jan Moran Neil                                                                                 http://janmoranneil.boxofblogs.com/2013/12/21/rip-ian-hornby-play-publisher/

From Drama Groups

It is with great shock and sadness that Drama Groups learned today of Ian Hornby’s death Thursday 19th December in the afternoon.
Ian wrote many plays and made a significant contribution to the amateur theatre movement throughout his life. He was also Chairman of Bridgewater Players. He will clearly be much missed by many.

http://www.dramagroups.com/