Sheila Toomey was a quite remarkable lady – although not from Warminster, she took the town to her heart and there are few organisations here that did not escape her inspirational touch. She came to Warminster with her husband, and large family, in the early 1980s and became involved with the Town and the Athenæum almost immediately – one of her first projects was the Community Play based upon the lives of the people of Imber.

Sheila’s input in the many organisations of the town cannot be under-estimated; – She was a Founder Trustee of the Warminster Athenæum Trust, and a member of the Civic Trust and Preservation Trust; she served on the Warminster & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce where she was President at the time of her last illness. She was also a founder member of a retailers group, fostering joint working relations and buying. From 1995, she was involved with the Warminster tent at the West Wilts Show, and Chairperson for the Warminster Tourist Information Centre.

With Sheila’s inspiration and driving force The Christmas Lights Committee was re-enthused and the deteriorated lighting scheme completely replaced with a wonderful new display. She was deeply involved in the community of St George’s Church and St George’s School, where she taught voluntarily and served as a Governor for many years. She was an active member of Churches Together from 1980, and coordinator of the Warminster Festival and Biannual Street Fayre. She organised the Warminster contribution of the Wylye Valley Art Trail, and the Warminster Townscape Millennium Project. In recognition of her contribution to Warminster life, Sheila was awarded Warminster Citizen of the Year in 1998.

SHEILA was ABOVE ALL a wife, mother, daughter, granny and good friend. She devoted her life to the town for 20 years, working tirelessly and Warminster will never forget her passion for her loves; the Arts, Theatre, and promoting both of these for the young, in whom she had the greatest faith.

Little Sparrows Theatre Company was formed in 2003. It was originally the theatrical arm of the Sheila Toomey Award, which put on musical shows to raise funds for the Award. Little Sparrows gave young people the opportunity to share their talent and enthusiasm – and to help a worthwhile cause within our community.  

 

Although Little Sparrows Theatre continue  to donate to the Sheila Toomey Award, in 2025 it was taken under the wing of a student from Kingstown School – which has provided many talented young people to perform locally.  Little Sparrows will now also support other local worthwhile charities – never forgetting from whence it sprung.