Former teacher Brian Earl, of Royal Wootton Bassett, who died shortly before his 83rd birthday and 49th wedding anniversary, was diagnosed with cancer four years ago. He had extensive treatment and remained active until the beginning of this year. His last major social engagement was a Christmas dinner dance.

Mr Earl made a great impression on Wootton Bassett School in its early years, having been appointed by its first headmaster, Mr Frank King, who had taught him at secondary school in Trowbridge.

As a young man, Mr Earl served as a Baptist minister for about five years before switching to an educational career, initially as a teacher of RE and sociology.

His major achievement was in setting up the Wootton Bassett Resources Centre, at a time when computers were being introduced into schools, and he encouraged his colleagues and pupils to appreciate the new technology.

He was a key member of staff at the school (now RWB Academy) on its original premises at Lime Kiln, until his retirement in 1991.

Mr Earl’s many interests included modern sequence and ballroom dancing, bridge, photography, astronomy, wildlife and the countryside, model railways, steam locomotives and Arsenal FC. He was a founder member of Wootton Bassett Camera Club and was for many years a volunteer at Steam, the Swindon Railway Museum. He was also a member of the Sherlock Holmes Society. Mr Earl and his wife Barbara, who was originally from London, were married in 1965 at Swindon, where she was a teacher at Walcot (now Mountford Manor). They made their home at Wootton Bassett where Mrs Earl taught for 23 years at St Bartholomew's School .They enjoyed holidays with a brother-in-law’s family, based in Sweden, Geneva, France and Holland.

Mr and Mrs Earl’s only daughter, Caroline lives in Stevenage. There are two grandchildren, Daniel, 12 and Victoria, ten.

The Rev David Perkins officiated at Kingsdown Crematorium in Swindon, where a service to celebrate his life included his favourite hymns, Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer and Blessed Assurance.

Memorial donations will benefit Prospect Hospice. Cheques may be sent c/o Johnson & Daltrey Funeral Service, 112 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett SN4 7AU.