HEARTFELT tributes have been made to a woman who ’radiated with the love and energy she gave to so many’.

Val Cottrell, 76, died on July 23. A drama teacher and founder of various youth theatres, she leaves a legacy of generations of young people who will remember how she nurtured their confidence and inspired them to participate and perform on stage.

Born in Shropshire, Val had always been keen to act and direct and was involved in local amateur dramatics in Marple, where she made her first family home. After a move to West Sussex she founded the Midhurst Youth Theatre in 1980 and put on many shows over the following 15 years. Later, she purchased a franchise in the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy and started studios all over the Portsmouth area.

It was here that she first became friends with fellow actor Tony Bedden, who also supported her shows as a technical backstage worker.

In the year 2000, Val and Tony moved to Hannafore, Looe, to run a B+B and within a year, Val had formed the Looe Youth Theatre. On the request of Looe Community Academy, she and Tony founded the Looe Theatre Company. This helped the school to obtain arts funding and their first show was ’Oliver’ in 2002.

Val also offered Lamda (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) classes and coaching in public speaking for children and adults, and her students have enjoyed great exam successes, with several going on to places at prestigious schools or to appear in the West End or on television.

But Val brought something positive to all those who came into her studio, whether it be a love of the arts, or the confidence to be themsleves and blossom.

Many of the young people taught by Val, and their parents, wrote cards or left messages on social media following the news of her death.

Among them was Gill Bridges, who said: ’Val is being fondly remembered by so many in Looe and the surrounding areas. A huge loss to our community but what an amazing legacy she has left behind in the souls and spirits of the young people she taught. My daughters who are now in their 20’s, blossomed at Looe Youth Theatre from an early age, finding their inner confidence under her caring and watchful eye.’

Augustus Gordon said he had first met Val when he was eight years old.

’She was an amazing women who inspired so many to do what they loved to do. Val gave me the opportunity to perform on a stage that would give me the confidence to turn acting into my profession. She always had the time and care to help those who needed it. A whirlwind of energy light and love! Only truly special people can make others shine brighter and Val did exactly that.’

Val leaves her fiance Tony, her sons Will and Ben, and two brothers, John and Pete.