A POPULAR Chippenham music teacher who taught thousands of children across a career spanning almost 40 years has died.

Tom Wanless died at his home on the Monkton Park Estate last Friday (March 4) from natural causes.

The 87-year-old started teaching at Chippenham School for Boys in 1947 before moving to Sheldon School in the 1970s where he remained until he retired in 1985.

“I’m not sure why he was into music so much, I think it’s one of those things he was interested in from being a little boy,” said Mr Wanless’ son, Peter. “He seemed to have this talent where he could connect people to music.

“His two big things were developing electronic music in schools through the use of synthesizers and early music such as medieval instruments.

“He was also part of the Chippenham Light Opera Group and was very much the focal point of music in the town.”