It was with sadness that we noted our Helen Nicell passing away on Saturday 10 May 2025.
For near-on twenty years, Helen Nicell led Watford Writers and firmly established its place in the art and cultural arena of Watford. Right up to the end, Helen played a key positive role in ensuring the group continued to remain active with a busy programme and lots of activities.
Jan Rees has written a wonderful tribute verse to Helen, which sums up how we all feel:
A light that shone so brightly isn’t shining anymore
Unless, of course, it’s shining now on another shore
A voice with warmth and wisdom we can no longer hear
A strong determination, her courage very clear
So grateful that I knew her, and for all she did and said
Her loving spirit has moved on to whatever lies ahead
As a tribute to Helen, group members have come together to thank and celebrate Helen in words. Below is a selection.
Helen is sadly missed by all of us and the whole of the Watford arts and cultural community.
Helen Nicell: Watford mayor leads tributes to arts champion (Watford Observer, 14 May 2025)
Photo: Courtesy of the Nicell family.