Day: 7 August 2022

supplied by Paul Durrant

“Ruth Bodle who featured in the early line up of Damaris has died. Ruth went on to have a nursing and midwifery career in Hastings and then in Scotland and be mother to three children Ruth went to Hastings High School for Girls and was part of the fun-loving Fiesta crowd as a teenager. Her friends from the seventies will remember Ruth for her gentle and caring nature.” Paul Durrant.

John Wilde… Dear Ruth, rest in peace sweet Woman.

Marilyn Spence… Awe that’s sad I went to that school also.

Alan Esdaile… I do remember her from the Fiesta days. Very sad news.

Jacquie Hinves… Jesus! What a shock. RIP Ruth. Xx

Andrew Freeman… Very sorry to hear this sad news. I knew Ruth from a young age and always remember her as a kind caring person. RIP dear Ruth.

Di Veness… I remember Ruth from school. Very sad to hear this.

Petra Stevens… I remember Ruth from the high school. Sad to hear the news. RIP

Linda Russell…. My childhood friend and neighbour RIP xx

Dave Nattress… Just read this and very shocked. Gutted my Friday evening. I knew Ruth through Paul and saw her play in Damaris and then took over vocals from her and Paul was of course a great mate back in the day. Paul – so very sorry to hear this! Very best wishes.

Richard and Lucy Ive…. Lucy Ive (Davy) Ruth! Just how I will always remember you – and the wonderful times we had- especially those early years in Hastings – rest in peace and heartfelt sympathy to all your loved ones.

Cathie Murphy… Our dear Ruth – my much loved Sister -in-Law . God bless you Ruth, you will be remembered with love by everyone. xxx

Dave Nattress… Meant to say earlier what a lovely, sweet, friendly, beautiful girl Ruth was. Always thinking back to the Damaris days and “The Ballad of Damaris” which I remember seeing her singing the first time I saw them. Seemed like maybe she was Damaris? The subject of the song. Got the lyrics somewhere. Paul was a mate from Hastings College, same studies as me, hence I got to know Ruth and to see her with Damaris. So long ago. A life so short. X

Iain and Jo Cobby… Oh my God, Paul, you always said that Ruth’s life would be short due to her type 1 diabetes, how we had great times all those years ago. I am sitting here down in Cornwall trying to keep it together, my dear friend. I hope you find solace in your children and your live together. ” I looked across the valley and the flood, the mist obscured the moon. I saw a lady standing there, risen from her tomb.” the Ballard of Damaris.

Clive Richardson… I remember Ruth well from the Fiesta days. She was a very nice person. I’m very sorry to hear of her passing.

Nick Webb… I don’t have enough words to say how sad it was to hear this news Ruth was so fun to be around I was lucky to be a good friend of her and Paul alway even when they left Hastings and Paul and I have aways kept in touch. That picture of Ruth brings back so many joyful memories of the times spent in the Fiesta and The Old Town pubs Rip lovely lady .

Helen James… I went to school with Ruth. Very sad news

Danny Murphy… So so sad, she was the loveliest. God bless aunty Ruth, you will be missed by us all xxx