Tributes flood in for Alexandra Bastedo

Actress, animal welfare activist and columnist for the County Times Alexandra Bastedo has been remembered by friends and fellow actors.

Fellow actors who she previously worked with including silver screen star, Virginia McKenna OBE of the Born Free Foundation, called her ‘an unsung heroine’.

Alexandra’s love of animals persuaded her to quit the glamour of show business and set up ABC Champions Animal Sanctuary more than 30 years ago.

Now based in West Chiltington, the sanctuary has saved and rehomed thousands of animals.

Alexandra Bastedo with late husband Patrick Garland

John Williams, trustee of the sanctuary said: “Alexandra had a wonderful way with people and left everyone she spoke to feeling that little bit special.”

To read the full story, pick up this week’s County Times out Thursday January 16.

If you would like to pay tribute to Alexandra Bastedo leave a comment below or contact the County Times at [email protected] or 01403 751238.

West Chiltington actress and Champions Animal Sanctuary founder Alexandra Bastedo has died at 67 after a long battle with cancer.

Bastedo launched Champions Animal Sanctuary more than 30 years ago, and was a regular columnist for the County Times and West Sussex Gazette.

Theatre director Roger Redfarn, a close friend to both Alexandra and to her husband, former Chichester Festival Theatre artistic director, the late Patrick Garland, confirmed she passed away on Sunday.

For many years the couple lived just south of Chichester at Almodington before moving to West Chiltington. Mr Garland’s death last April was followed by a star-studded memorial service in Chichester Cathedral last September, organised by friends including Simon Callow.

Alexandra Bastedo, who was 67, enjoyed huge success on screen and on stage and also as a vital support to husband Patrick during his years at the CFT.

But showbusiness was never her first choice of career, as she liked to recall.

As a child, Bastedo was desperate to become a vet and spent all her spare time at the local veterinary surgery, helping to clean out. And then the movies called.

“I was discovered by Columbia Pictures at the age of 16 and sent to Hollywood to make a horror film called The Candy Web.”