A COLOURFUL crowd of family and friends filled the funeral of Brighton writer and LGBT activist Sheila McWattie.

Bagpipes played the Skye Boat song as people arrived at Woodvale Crematorium on Thursday, February 26, to pay their respects to Ms McWattie, who died suddenly at home in Hove on February 15.

In a eulogy Ms McWattie's sister Jill Maclean said: "She had the ability to connect with people and took friendships to the next level.

“She understood the art of friendship.”

She also said: “She will be missed in so many ways by so many people.”

The Dharma Dykes from Brighton’s Buddhist Centre conducted a blessing prayer before messages and flowers were left around the wool-felt coffin as friends recited poetry.

Fiona Thomson, one of her close friends, said: “In addition to being a passionate activist within the LGBT community for years Sheila was also a much loved friend to many, courageous, generous spirited, good soul, and she will be sorely missed.”

Another close friend, Ed Isaacs, said: “She knew thousands of people but made everyone feel special.

“She did more in her 58 years than most people do in a lifetime.”

Hundreds of tributes have been left on Ms McWattie’s Facebook celebration page.

Garth Williams, a chief sub-editor at William Reed, wrote how Ms McWattie had sustained an enormous circle of friends, each one of which she treated “with respect, due time, affection and love”.

Rob Willock, editor of The Publican’s Morning Advertiser, said: “How many freelancers would give you a hug every time they come in for a shift?”

The Women’s Performance Tent, run in conjunction with The Brighton Women’s Centre of which Ms McWattie was a proud supporter, will be renamed The Sheila McWattie Tent during this year’s Pride.

Ms McWattie helped set up a free alternative when Pride began charging admission in 2011.

Domique De-light, founder of Creative Future described Ms McWattie as a fantastic tutor and said: “It's great she's getting a tent named after her at Pride, a fitting tribute for a woman who gave so much to her community."

Donations in Ms McWattie’s memory to MacMillan Nurses, RISE or Brighton Women Centre, info@arkafunerals.co.uk