Founder of the ABC, Mother Dies

Friday 16th March is the funeral of Jacque Collyer-Smith, mother of Simon Collyer, founder of the ABC. 

'Mum was devoted to giving people opportunities and dedicated a great deal of her time to helping the local community' says Simon. 'Mother inspired myself to take an interest in helping others at an early age and coached myself and sister Ruth to achieve much success in speech, drama and public speaking, winning festival honours and awards as juniors then teenagers'. 

Simon was later to race in the extremely competitive Olympic 470 sailing class, representing the UK at many major events. ‘Living by the water at Brightlingsea, Essex, it was inevitable that we would get involved in sailing at a young age’ says Simon. Brightlingsea Sailing Club has produced many champions in the sport including Olympic Gold Medallists, boatbuilder Reg White MBE and brother-in-law John Osborn in the, Olympic Tornado Catamaran Class.

'The ABC’s goal says Simon is to launch Work TV and we are working very hard to get grant money to enable us to do this' says Simon. The ABC are attracting some high-level support for this project, and the mood in the ABC camp is very upbeat.

Jacque’s obituary had had a lot of regional media coverage and coverage in the marine press points out the ABC. ‘I hope I can carry my mother’s legacy forward’ says Simon, ‘but it is a tough act to follow, she did so many good things in her life - I could not be prouder of her'. 

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Jacque Collyer-Smith - Obituary

Well known Brightlingsea resident, Jacque Collyer-Smith died on February 10^th 2018, following a short illness.   Jacque was for many years a local news correspondent for Brightlingsea, supplying the East Essex Gazette now the Clacton Gazette, Essex County Standard and East Anglian Daily Times with news stories and photographs.

Jacque served in the WRAF for six years, joining in 1943.  After the war she was part of the RAF keep fit display team performing at venues all over the country including the Royal Albert Hall.  She moved to Brightlingsea in 1951 with husband Edwin (Ginger) Collyer.  Jacque was widowed in 1966.

Through their mutual interest in sailing Jacque met Peter Smith and they were married in 1977 becoming Peter and Jacque Collyer-Smith. They were keen racing and then cruising sailors, members of Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea Sailing Clubs and the Colne Yacht Club. Their yacht ‘Lady Outlaw’ was well known around the Essex rivers. 

Jacque worked for many years in marine retail at the Boat Centre and L H Morgan and sons in Brightlingsea and Candor Marine in Colchester.  In 1990 Candor Marine was sold to Jacque and husband Peter, becoming Collyer-Smith Marine and Country.

In 1985 Jacque received the Deputy’s medal of merit for her role in organising the Christmas gift fund lunch and entertainment for people who have no company on Christmas Day. She was furthered honoured in 2014, marking her 50th year of active involvement with the Deputy's Christmas Gift Fund.  A silver bar was added to her ribbon, denoting a second Medal of Merit. In 1990 Peter and Jacque became the Deputy and Lady Deputy of Brightlingsea. During their Deputyship, Jacque started the ‘Ladies of the Liberty’ for wives and partners to become more involved with the Liberty of Brightlingsea. 

Jacque was a founding member of the Seaview Players acting in, producing and directing many of their productions. Her productions won many awards from the North East Essex Theatre Guild and at Felixstowe Festival.

Jacque Collyer-Smith is survived by husband Peter Collyer-Smith, son Simon Collyer, daughter Ruth Shah and granddaughters Kate and Lucy.  The funeral will take place on Friday 16th March 2018.

Image: Jacque Collyer-Smith (white jacket). 

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Friday 16^th March

11am Weeley Crematorium

2pm Service of Celebration, St James Church, Brightlingsea

Afterwards at the Brightlingsea Sailing Club

No need to wear black    Everyone Welcome

Donations to Deputy’s Christmas Gift Fund or

Brightlingsea Support Group for St Helena Hospice

c/o John J Smiths Funeral Services

1a Tower Street

Brightlingsea, Colchester

CO7 OAL