Thursday 24th July 2014
The Life Of Michael Upsall
Michael Jeremy Upsall was born on 12th May 1933 at Weston-Super-Mare, the eldest son of Gordon and Marion Upsall.
He spent his childhood years happily at Corton Denham, near Sherborne, Dorset, and later went to school at Sexey’s School, Bruton, where he struck up a friendship with Ned Sherrin in whose This Is Your Life tribute programme on television he appeared many years later.
Michael’s parents moved to Nunney, Somerset, and settled there. His father, an accountant, wanted Michael to go into a profession, so he became a solicitor working in his early days in Falmouth and then Frome, before setting up the practice of Middleton & Upsall, with Eustace Middleton, at Portway, Warminster, in 1962.
Later, the firm moved to The Cedars, 39 Silver Street, Warminster, but is currently at East Gate House, East Street, Warminster.
Over the years Michael and Eustace expanded their business with offices in Bath, Frome, Trowbridge and Westbury, as well as Warminster. Today, only the Warminster office retains the name Middleton & Upsall.
Michael became a well-known character in Warminster. Many people will remember him as a smartly dressed figure chatting to people in the street.
Michael Upsall helped many charities based in Warminster. He was a great supporter of the resurrection of the Athenaeum, at High Street, Warminster, into an arts centre and a theatre after it had been many years in decline. He served on the committee of the Athenaeum Theatre and was also a committee member of the Athenaeum Players drama group. He himself directed 14 plays and musicals, acting in ten of the Athenaeum Players’ productions.
Michael was also on the committee of the Warminster Branch of Guide Dogs for the Blind. He was one of the instigators of the ‘Paw Trek’ held for many years on the Longleat Estate. The paw treks raised in excess of £100,000 for the Guide Dogs for the Blind charity.
Other charities Michael was involved with, included the Warminster Physically Handicapped And Able-Bodied Club (PHAB) and the Warminster Civic Trust. He was always happy to offer his home and garden for local charity fundraising events. Among those who benefitted in this way from Michael’s generosity were the NSPCC, the British Red Cross, the Athenaeum Theatre, the Friends of Knook Heytesbury and Tytherington Churches, to name but a few.
While living at Parks Court, a grade II listed building, at Upton Scudamore, BA12 0AG, Michael hosted the annual ‘black-tie’ concert for the Great Elm Music Festival (founded by Maureen Leharne Wishart in memory of her late husband) and this was enjoyed by many over the ten years it continued.
Michael’s younger brother Terry Upsall sadly died in his fifties. Last year (2013) Terry’s widow Sheila passed away, leaving Jeremy Upsall and Bella Davis (Michael’s nephew and niece) as Michael’s closest relatives.
Michael took great pleasure in the restoration and decoration of many houses. Creating new and outstanding gardens was one of his great passions. Over the years he travelled extensively and enjoyed the company of others. He was never happier than when his house and garden were full of family and friends.
Michael was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease nearly 12 years ago and when it was no longer possible for him to remain at home he moved to Nynehead Court, near Wellington, in Somerset, where he spent the last five years of his life. He died peacefully at Nynehead Court on 10th June 2014. A private cremation was held at Taunton. A thanksgiving service to celebrate Michael Upsall’s life was held at the Parish Church of St. Denys, The Minster, Warminster, on Thursday 24th July 2014.