Obituary: Henry Spurway, larger-than-life theatrical impressario and bookmaker

His siblings, brother Humphrey, sisters Kalitza (Kiki) and Tessa eventually married and left home and as the youngest son, Henry chose to remain with his mother who was his best friend and confidente. His father had also died but not before ensuring his youngest son benefitted from his guidance and business expertise.

Henry was educated at Fettes where he was not a keen academic and found boarding a challenge he did not enjoy so he was sent to a very exclusive boarding school in England, choosing not to aim for any special career but happy when his father found him a position as a senior manager at the prestigious George Hotel in Edinburgh.

But it was showbusiness which captivated the young entrepreneur. His ability to charm everyone he met ensured he succeeded in meeting some of the top theatrical stars of the day. He had a gift for discovering talent and became a popular theatrical agent. But that was never enough to satisfy his brilliant brain and he insisted on having other irons in the fire, owning a race horse called Larkspur (note clever incorporation of part of the Spurway name) and organising a grand charity race at Musselburgh which was attended by HRH Princess Anne.

Henry Spurway managed to combine being a theatrical impresario with a talent as a businessman and this lead to his becoming managing director of Larkspur Racing and being the first person to open a female-only betting shop in Edinburgh. One of his tasks was to visit each of the betting shops regularly to collect the money. He enjoyed that and was only slightly perturbed when it was discovered he had absent mindedly left £500 in his car before sending it to be cleaned. Luckily the honest valeter found the cache and returned it to Henry, who saw to it he was well rewarded.

He also like dabbling in property deals and his effervescent personality ensured he was invited to all the best events and his social calendar was always full. He was a guest of honour at the Variety Club’s 50th birthday party where the guest speaker was HRH Prince Philip. He loved Wimbledon where he recognised a familiar face wearing a stunning hat and it turned out to be his sister Kalitza (Kiki) Campbell Fraser whose daughter is a famous artist. His other sister Tessa has a daughter who is a world-famous dress designer. His brother Humphrey famously supplied Christmas trees to Harrods and pre-deceased Henry.

Yet Henry Spurway was quite at home in West Calder where he and his mother downsized to a 16th century former coach house in the grounds of Harburn House, from where he enjoyed taking faithful dog Doddie, his springer spaniel, for walks and was well known to the locals as a personality they loved to meet so they could listen to his tales of theatrical famous names he had met.

Although a shrewd businessman who mixed with some of the most infamous non-socialites of the day as well as the showbusiness aristocrats whom he could list as friends, Henry was also best friends with Evening News Showbiz columnist John Gibson and the pair could be seen at every social event and even grand balls where the late councillor Moira Knox was his partner and she was belle of the ball in a golden satin crinoline.

There was another side to Henry Spurway only a privileged few got to know. He was always there, as a good friend, when required. This was evident when I rang him to let him know my partner Bert Dakers had died suddenly. It was midnight and yet he appeared next day to take me out to lunch and reminisce about Bert, a former Decca Records executive he knew professionally. And his presence was indeed a comfort to a distraught woman.

When a much-loved musician friend succombed to dementia he rallied to his daughter’s assistance and regularly visited, sharing memories and reviving memories where he could. And when he met my own mother, who had a neurological illness, and I had taken her for lunch to his Elm Tree inn, as we chatted, Henry effortlessly helped her collect and eat her food from the plate.

But there was more to the Elm Tree than just being an inn. Henry’ s father bought it for Henry to run and, being Henry, he saw theatrical prospects could be accomplished and against all odds, transformed the inn into a nightclub where the top entertainers of the day appeared in cabaret. To introduce the event, Henry ensured the first celebrity was to arrive in a helicopter, thereafter using the slogan “Everyone drops in to the Elm Tree” for his advertisements In the Edinburgh Evening News and The Scotsman.

Everything had to be of the very best for Henry, whose fortunes never ended in success because he adored the casino life and was not always a winner. However, from time to time fortune did smile when he benefitted from a family inheritance which he happily shared with friends whom he entertained to lavish dinners.

Always interested in helping charitable causes, Henry was involved behind the scenes in organising deserving events. The memorable OrchId Ball at Prestonfield House was a great success and even had top big band leader Tommy Sampson and his orchestra providing the music. Henry saw to it that Richard Attenburgh was guest of honour and the evening raised thousands for charity.

After his mother died, Henry opted to move out of their coach house cottage and into Edinburgh where he eventually retired physically but not mentally from the showbiz scene. He arranged for film star and singer Guy Mitchell to perform at a special concert in Portobello, where the event was so popular extra seats had to be brought in.

Life for anyone knowing Henry Spurway, was never boring. Wherever he went, his personality sparkled and it was said the loveable rogue could charm the birds off the trees, and this he oft used to great effect when completing deals.The gentleman from West Calder only accepted excellence as normal.

The world lost an amazing character when Henry Spurway departed this life but his legacy will live on and he will be remembered. When he recently attended a lavish showbusiness event at Glasgow City Chambers and he graced the occasion wearing a tartan tuxedo with a plastic flower in the lapel and he was greeted warmly by the Lord Provost and members of Scotland's theatrical greats .

He caught up with many dear friends including Louise Lyons, widow of Ben Lyons and Betty Bowie, widow of Ross Bowie, Tony Roper, author of The Steamie, and many others. As usual his presence brightened up the exquisite ballroom where the dinner was held. And that is how he would wish to be remembered as Henry Spurway, impresario to the stars.

Henry Spurway is survived by sisters Kalitza and Tessa and various nieces and nephews.

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