Former Shoreham ‘First Lady’ Cheran Ulph dies aged 75

A former ‘First Lady’ of Shoreham has been remembered for her extensive voluntary work in the town over many years.
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Cheran Ulph, who was well known and loved in the community, died aged 75 on Friday, April 24, at Drumconner Nursing Home in Lancing.

Widower Colin Ulph broke the news, saying she had been his dear wife for 50 years and passed away peacefully.

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Colin said: “From 1971 to 1974, when still in her 20s, she was ‘First Lady’, a role in which she excelled during my three-year spell as chairman of Shoreham Urban District Council.

Cheran Ulph on Shoreham Lifeboat in 1997Cheran Ulph on Shoreham Lifeboat in 1997
Cheran Ulph on Shoreham Lifeboat in 1997

“Cheran was well known for many years in the Shoreham community. Together, we visited nearly all of Shoreham’s voluntary organisations and clubs, and attended scores of functions, including two royal garden parties at Buckingham Palace, as proud representatives of our town. Cheran was a wonderful support to me and was much loved in the town.”

Cheran gained a BSc degree in mathematics at London University and went on to work for ICL as a computer programmer. In the 1960s, she was loaned to HM Paymaster General’s office in Crawley, to assist in setting up its first computer system, and it was here that she met Colin.

After they were married, they set up home in Shoreham, and Cheran formed Shoreham Light Opera Company, putting on several shows at the newly-built Shoreham Community Centre, including the world premiere of Patrick Moore’s opera Perseus and Andromeda in October 1974.

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Colin said: “Cheran possessed a beautiful singing voice, playing leading lady in productions of Carousel and The Gondoliers.”

Cheran and Colin Ulph in 2004, celebrating her 60th birthdayCheran and Colin Ulph in 2004, celebrating her 60th birthday
Cheran and Colin Ulph in 2004, celebrating her 60th birthday

Cheran’s voluntary work in Shoreham extended over many years. She served with the Red Cross, Shoreham Harbour Ladies Lifeboat Guild, Shoreham Greenways Women’s Institute and the Shoreham Cancer shop.

She was also a preacher in the local Methodist circuit and latterly served as a Christian counsellor in the area.

She also completed the London to Brighton Bike Ride three times, raising money for the British Heart Foundation.

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In recent years, Cheran had lived with Alzheimer’s disease and she became a resident at Drumconner in January 2018. She leaves her husband, two children and three grandchildren.

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