Peggy Batchelor

Peggy Batchelor
Born(1916-11-26)26 November 1916
Wembley, London, England, UK
Died18 July 2020(2020-07-18) (aged 103)
Leicester, England, UK
OccupationActress
Known forThe Waiting Room
My Hero
Blackout

Peggy Batchelor (26 November 1916 – 18 July 2020) was a British actress.[1]

Early life

Born to parents who were entertainers, Peggy began performing at the age of eight as dancer "Baby Peggy" at the Wembley Tattoo.[2][3][4]

Graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama,[5] Peggy met Dame Sybil Thorndike who invited her to join the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) at the start of World War II. Dedicated to the arts, she braved the dangers of the ongoing conflict, travelling on troop ships, taking her around hospitals in the UK and West Africa, even being on the first convoy through the Mediterranean, which was torpedoed.

After the war, Peggy became a member of The West of England Theatre Company, chosen by its founder J. B. Priestley. Appearances on television and radio followed including Gilbert and Sullivan, Mrs Dale's Diary, Dick Barton and Cabaret with a young Benny Hill.[6]

Teaching

Realising her potential as a teacher, Peggy obtained a Teacher’s Degree at the Guildhall and became a Speech and Drama advisor to Southend Education Committee. Among the many young people she helped in Ealing to launch their careers included actor Trevor Ray and singer Dusty Springfield.

In 1955, Peggy founded The Ridley Studios in Leigh-on-Sea, named after her Guildhall Professor, Frank Ridley. A highly regarded establishment, it helped enhance its students finding them work in London shows and further afield. This in turn led to Peggy being appointed International Chairman of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama, becoming a founder member of National Drama and a patron of LINK - an organisation, which helps children and young adults with learning difficulties. She was also made a Fellow of the Guildhall of Music, The Victoria College of Music, The Society of Teachers of Speech & Drama and the Royal Society of Arts.[6]

Patriotic to the arts, Peggy braved another conflict when she volunteered to examine students during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.[7]

Doctor Who

Batchelor voiced the Kingmaker in the 2001–2002 Doctor Who serial Death Comes to Time.

She was the oldest living Doctor Who cast member from an uncertain date until her death and the fifth to become a centenarian after Eileen Winterton, Lewis Alexander, Zohra Sehgal and Olaf Pooley. She is also the second-oldest Doctor Who cast member ever (the first being Arnold Yarrow).

Personal life

Whilst in Lahore, India, Peggy met RAF Squadron Leader Air Commodore Arthur Clegg on 1 September 1944 after one of her performances. They met again many years later when he was living in Wendover and married on 1 September 1984, the fortieth anniversary of their first meeting. After ten years, Arthur died and Peggy returned to acting in theatre and TV. Becoming too frail to look after herself, she moved closer to be near family. She passed away in Leicester, England on 18 July 2020 aged 103, making 100-year-old Arnold Yarrow the oldest living Doctor Who cast member at the time.[7]

Filmography[1][8][9]

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2007 The Waiting Room Doris
2008 Blackout Allison

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Doctor Who The Kingmaker Voice role; 2 episodes; serial: Death Comes to Time
2005 My Hero Mrs. Raven Episode: "Night Fever"
The Queen's Sister Mile End Flat Woman TV film
2006 Holby City Yvonne Perry Episode: "If the Heart Lies"

References

  1. ^ a b "Peggy Batchelor | Actress". IMDb.
  2. ^ Hawkins, Carole (2012). Never a Dull Moment: A Biography of Peggy Batchelor as Told to Carole Hawkins. AuthorHouseUK. ISBN 978-1467882507.
  3. ^ "Peggy the Pride of the Regiments. Little Dancer Feted by Tattoo Troops. Toasted in Tea". London Daily Chronicle. 24 October 1925. p. 5. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  4. ^ "Peggy, the Mascot". Daily News (London). 23 October 1925. p. 5. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  5. ^ "10 Weeks Of Glory, Then Obscurity. Wembley Tattoo Child Dancer Still Wants To Act. Life Altered By Flash of Fame". Sunday Express. 16 January 1938. p. 11. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  6. ^ a b webmaster (2007-10-01). "Local Face: Peggy Batchelor". Wendover Canal Trust. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  7. ^ a b webmaster (2020-09-01). "Tribute: Peggy Batchelor". Wendover Canal Trust. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  8. ^ "Peggy Batchelor (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  9. ^ "Actress Peggy is still a star at 90". 29 November 2006.