The Cambridgeshire community is mourning the loss of Clive Borrow, a beloved amateur actor and entertainer who dedicated his life to local theatre, who has died aged 85.
A Lifetime on the Stage
Clive's remarkable theatrical career spanned from his schooldays until just a few years before his death. He became the heart and soul of the Cottenham Theatre Workshop, performing in an incredible 76 shows for the group. His contributions extended beyond acting, as he also directed 26 productions, starred as a pantomime dame on 19 occasions, and wrote 17 original pantomimes.
Beyond the main stage, Clive delighted local children as Mr E, a magician who performed at parties and in primary schools. His first stage appearance was at Cottenham County Primary School, sparking a passion that would last a lifetime.
From Engineering to Entertainment
Born in Soham, Cambridgeshire, Clive was the only child of Ivy and Reg Borrow. The family moved to Cottenham when he was six, and he remained a resident there for the rest of his life.
After leaving Cambridgeshire High School for Boys at 16, he studied engineering at Cambridgeshire Technical College. He began his professional career in 1958 working in radio communications at the Pye Group in Cambridge. Later, in the mid-1990s, he transitioned to Newmarket Microsystems in Suffolk as a human resources manager, taking early retirement in 2001.
Building a Theatre Legacy
Clive's serious commitment to theatre began in 1967 with Waters of the Moon at Cottenham Village College. He went on to appear with numerous local groups including the St Ives Music and Drama Society, the Festival Players, the Pye Amateur Dramatic Society, and the St Neots Operatic Society.
He played a crucial role in the founding of the Cottenham Theatre Workshop, attending the 1977 meeting that created a revue for the Queen's silver jubilee - the venture that ultimately established the beloved theatre group.
In his personal life, Clive met secretary Vivienne West at a local amateur dramatics group in the early 1970s. They married in 1974 and welcomed their daughter, Wendy, in 1975. After Vivienne's death in 2020, Clive had his bungalow in Cottenham altered so that Wendy, her husband Matthew, and their two children could live with him.
In his final years, he became a familiar sight driving his motorised scooter up and down the high street. He is survived by his daughter Wendy and grandchildren Evan and Leo.
