Play England was saddened to hear that Paul Bonel had passed away on Sunday 23 January 2011. As SkillsActive's Head of Playwork since 1999 and with more than 40 years in play and playwork, Paul was well known throughout the sector.  His many friends and colleagues have paid tribute to his inspirational leadership and passionate advocacy for children's play.

Adrian Voce, Director, Play England said, 'Paul was a lovely, decent man and one of playwork's real pioneers. He was passionately committed to achieving the recognition that playwork deserves, and his achievements in leading the development of training and qualifications frameworks for this still emerging profession will stand the test of time. His task was sometimes a thankless one: building bridges between a grass roots movement and the structures of public service has innate tensions. Paul bore these with huge integrity. He was a good friend and colleague to many of us over many years and will be sadly missed.'

Everyone at Play England sends their sincere sympathies and very best wishes to Paul's family and colleagues at SkillsActive at this sad time. 

Paul's partner Felicity has extended an invitation to Paul's friends and colleagues to his funeral which will take place at 2pm on Tuesday, 8 February at Putney Vale Crematorium, Stag Lane, London, SW15 3DZ, and then afterwards at Kingston Lodge Hotel, 94 Kingston Hill, Kingston-Upon-Thames, KT2 7NP. 

For friends and colleagues who would like to send flowers, they must arrive by 11am on the day of the funeral to: W.Uden and Sons, 51/53 Passey Place, Eltham, London, SE9 5DA 

Any messages for Paul's family can be sent to kiran.sahota@skillsactive.com or sent by post to SkillsActive, Castlewood House, 77-91 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DG and your message will be sent on to Paul's family.