THE death on Valentine's Day of former school teacher David Dudley, of Hilperton, who was known to many for his love of his adopted county of Wiltshire and its countryside, prompted his wife Margaret to recall one of the many amusing memories she has of him - this time including longtime Wiltshire Gazette and Times photographer Trevor Porter.

Mr Porter, who was one of the many boys taught by her late husband during his stint as a PE teacher at the former Nelson Haden School in Trowbridge, visited Mrs Dudley and her son Shane to offer his condolences.

Mrs Dudley said: "He came with a sad face but left laughing as we recalled one of our escapades at The George in Lacock.

"As was our wont, David and I got off the double decker Chippenham bus that stpopped right by The George. As I stepped off a young man and his girl jumped on, carrying a large pastic goose. I knew that it came from a display outside a nearby shop.

"I ran in, told Trevor and he rushed to a car with Janet his then girlfriend and followed the bus to Chippenham.

"The thief and the goose were spotted by a security man and Trevor chased after the pair after he had directions. Confronting them, Trevor gave him two options - hand it back or the police.

"Retrieving it, he and Janet joyfully returned to The George where we all said Very Well Done. The owner was delighted. David, wanting a record of the exciting chase, bought the goose (at a bargain price!) and it has been in our garden ever since.

It wll now be brought in, scrubbed and put in the front, where Trevor can see it as he drives past. David enjoyed the excitement - Trevor was a valued old boy who was in the group that David took to Ben Nevis. One day in June long ago the boys reached the summit to find snow - magic!"

Following cremation, Mr Dudley's ashes will be taken back to his beloved Wales. Donations in his memory can be made to the RNLI, a charity close to his heart as he loved the sea and spent many happy holidays on the Mumbles peninsula.