Obituary: Paul Welsh, columnist and Save Elstree Studios chair

Paul Welsh MBE died peacefully in the early hours of September 4 from aspirational pneumonia and liver failure aged 71.

Paul was born in Borehamwood on July 18, 1953 in the house he occupied for the rest of his life. His father created sound effects for films, his mother was an avid film fan. Celluloid flowed through Paul’s veins since his father first took him to a film set in 1960.

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Despite childhood illnesses, Paul went to Monksmead, Summerswood and Hillside schools. He was then engaged by Eastern Electricity but one day of that office life was enough.

He worked for the RNLI in Borehamwood from 1970 until they moved in 1976.

Unemployed and without any formal qualifications, after applying to the Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council, Paul was given a self-employed contract to organise its festival.

Paul Welsh outside the Queen Victoria pub on the Albert Square set of the BBC soap opera EastEnders, filmed in Borehamwood (Image: Elstree Screen Heritage)

He remained a part time employee until 1991, during which time he oversaw the building and launch of Fairway Hall, sponsored the BBC Elstree Band, the Elstree Youth Theatre and initiated many popular activities for people from the town.

By 1991 the town council had decided to run The Venue theatre; Paul's role was made full time to oversee its management and to act as deputy town clerk, also running Fairway Hall.

Paul took on many voluntary roles, serving the community as a trustee of the local Museum and the Allum Manor Community Centre.

In 2007 he set up Elstree Screen Heritage, which he chaired until his death. The official film historian of Elstree Studios, Paul was a published author, most recently with ‘MGM British Studios’.

His efforts were acknowledged by the community with such awards as ‘citizen of the year’ but it was for his role as chairman of the eight-year Save Elstree Studios campaign that the late Her Majesty The Queen made him an MBE in 1997.

The University of Hertfordshire later awarded him an honourary Master of Arts degree for his work to create an archive of filmed interviews with local film and television veterans, The Elstree Project.

From 1977 Paul has wrote a weekly column for the Borehamwood Times - later also used in its sister papers the Barnet Times, Harrow Times, Watford Observer and St Albans Review, about the studios of Borehamwood and the film stars he had met.

Although written for local newspapers, Paul's columns were read online by film-lovers around the world, who would email asking to be put in touch. He was always pleased to share memories of stars and their work.

Paul was a man of self-imposed principles, some of which may seem old-fashioned today.

He cared and valued others; community and friendships were important. In his own words, he "lived a small town existence. Not bad for a council house kid from Borehamwood".

Following Paul's death, Elstree Film Studios acting head Rebecca Hawkes issued the following statement: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Paul Welsh, a beloved member of our community and an unwavering advocate for Elstree Film Studios.

"Paul was more than just a supporter, he was the heartbeat of the Save Our Studios campaign, tirelessly championing the cause.  He fought not just for a building, but for the dreams, stories, and futures that EFS represents.

"Today, we remember Paul not only for his incredible work but for the kind, passionate, and generous spirit that he was.

"Our thoughts are with Paul’s family and friends during this difficult time”

Cllr Jeremy Newmark, chair of Elstree Film Studios and leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, added: “Along with so many across the communities in our borough, I’ve heard of Paul’s death with great sadness.

"Actively involved in his local community, Paul was the lynchpin of the world-renowned and ultimately successful campaign to ‘Save Elstree Studios’ in the 1990s that prevented the closure of the iconic Elstree Film Studios where I now chair the board.

"That campaign ultimately led to Hertsmere Borough Council taking the studios into public ownership where they remain, to the benefit of the local community, to this very day.  It was also the first ever campaign that I became involved in as a teenager.  I still have the T-shirt.

"Paul’s remained actively involved in film and television heritage through his role as a trustee of Elstree and Borehamwood Museum and as a regular columnist for the Borehamwood Times for nearly 50 years.

"He's also witnessed with pleasure and rightful pride the renaissance of our local film and television sector with the recent opening of the Sky Elstree site in Borehamwood, the exciting plans for the BBC Elstree Centre and the centenary of Elstree Film Studios itself, which is fast approaching following the opening of the new Platinum Stages on that site.

"He was a towering figure in the industry and his loss will be keenly felt.”