A popular Nelson barber and actor – Godfrey Eyre – has died after a short illness.
Godfrey was born in 1947 and started as a Saturday boy at Joe’s Saloon, in Leeds Road with Harold Holman, who was an apprentice to Clifford Eyre, Godfrey’s uncle. Godfrey was taken on full-time aged of 15.
He moved to Stanley Street, Nelson, to set up on his own barbers shop in 1974 and in his prime was doing 45 haircuts a day for young and old alike.
Godfrey had attended Bradshaw Street Infants, Percy Street Junior School and Walverden Secondary Modern.
His love of theatre started at the age of four in a pantomime in a local church. His first play for Nelson Civic Players was “One for the Pot”, a Whitehall farce produced by Ken Hickey.
He went on to play “Billy Liar” in the lead role aged 22 and in his time played Oberon in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, as well as Dracula. He went on to guest with the Highcliffe Players and, in his later years, worked with St John’s Operatic at the Hippodrome, Colne.
He was a larger-than-life character and well-known for his story-telling. His family are grateful for the tributes that have been pouring in. He is survived by his wife Katherine.
A funeral service will be held ton Monday from 2-30pm at St Paul’s Church. Nelson before cremation at Burnley. Donations can be made to the East Lancashire Hospice.