Memorial to 'inspirational' head teacher (From Wiltshire Times)

Memorial to 'inspirational' head teacher

10:00am Wednesday 5th December 2007 in Melksham By Charley Morgan

FORMER students of a primary school in Melksham have raised hundreds of pounds towards a permanent memorial to their former head teacher.

Peter Mowday, 67, former head of Aloeric Primary School, lost his battle with cancer in November and former pupils left scores of tributes to him on the Facebook website describing him as 'inspirational'.

They decided to plant an oak tree in his memory in the grounds of the school and will be planting it on Sunday December 9 at midday.

They have also ordered a plaque with the inscription 'In memory of Peter Mowday 1940-2007, wisdom, strength, protection and endurance'.

Former pupil Phil Martin, who has helped arrange the tribute, said: "Having set up the Aloeric group on Facebook, which now has 200 ex-students logging on, I contacted Peter to make him aware of the group as I felt he may like to see the comments people had left about him and to see the many photos people had posted up.

"It was then he emailed a reply to let me know of his illness.

"He subsequently joined Facebook and the group.

"It was really nice for many of his ex-students to contact him before he passed away to leave messages of support and for them to explain what an inspiration he was to their lives.

"Since his passing former students have left a huge numbers of tributes on the site and it was decided that we would like to plant a tree in his memory."

Mr Martin set up the memorial fund and has received £219 to date, which will go towards the tree and plaque and the rest of the money will be given to the Portland Bird Observatory in Dorset, a place he was passionate about and where he spent much of his spare time.

Mr Martin added: "I'm sure he would be very pleased to know that his former students were contributing to a cause he dearly loved and a place where he took many of us ex-students."