Tom Wanless TOM Wanless, who taught music to thousands of school children in Chippenham for almost 40 years, died at his home on the Monkton Park estate, in Chippenham, on March 4 at the age of 87.

Born on July 19, 1928, in Portsmouth to parents Thomas and Winifred and growing up with a younger sister, Brenda, Mr Wanless moved to the Chippenham area in 1947 after taking up a teaching role.

He began working at Chippenham School for Boys before moving to Sheldon School in the 1970s where he remained until he retired from teaching in 1985.

He met his future wife Pam Hoyle, who was a teacher in Trowbridge, in the early 1960s and they married in 1962. They had two children together, Peter who was born in 1964 and Graham, who was born in 1969.

“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 Peter Wanless, 51, the chief executive of the NSPCC.

“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.

“His other big passions aside from music were Somerset Cricket Club, where he took me and my brother almost as soon as we were born, and Wild West history.”

He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Bertie, Callum, Louie and Emily.

The funeral will be on Monday, March 21, at 2.30pm at Central Methodist Church, Chippenham. Donations can be made to the National Autistic Society.