Brian Cyril Ansell, of BetAnsells, Watford’s Independent Bookmakers, passed away aged 80 surrounded by his family, on December 19 at Watford General Hospital following a short illness.
Brian was born in Watford and attended Leggatts Way School where he was part of the football team and, due to his size and strength, was known as “The Tank”! On leaving school, Brian had several jobs including working at Perring’s and Universal Asbestos before joining his father in the bookmaking industry.
Brian’s grandfather, George, was a street bookmaker in Abbots Langley as far back as 1920 and was joined by his son Cyril “Dick” Ansell on his return from the war. In 1963, with the legalisation of cash betting, Brian, together with his father Dick opened the first ever betting shop in Watford at 205 Queens Road holding licence number 1 which continued to trade until only recently.
Over the years BetAnsells have operated up to 10 shops and Brian was well known by both the firm’s staff and customers despite semi-retirement over recent years. BetAnsells continues under Brian’s son, Richard Ansell, aided by his youngest daughter Georgia, making them now a firm of five generations. BetAnsells still operates five shops in Watford and one in Bournemouth, together with a telephone and web-based business.
Brian was also a lover of racing and horses. He owned and part-owned numerous horses over the years, often named after shop locations in Watford or containing the Ansell name. However, his biggest racing success was with “Confusion” first past the post in the 1973 Queen Anne stakes at Royal Ascot where history was made when the first three horses were disqualified, something that has never occurred before or since.
Though a frequent traveller, Brian spent his entire life in Watford, before deciding to spend much of his time in Poole, Dorset in later years. He is survived by his wife Barbara, son Richard and daughter Louise, as well as five grandchildren and one great grandchild. Brian was dearly loved and will be sadly missed.
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