Tree tribute to former headteacher

From the Wiltshire Times, first published Friday 14th Dec 2007.

A MEMORIAL tree has been planted in memory of a popular former headteacher who died of cancer.

Former students of Aloeric Primary School in St Michael's Road, Melksham, planted an oak tree in the school grounds on Sunday in memory of Peter Mowday, who died on November 15.

Ex-students communicated through the social networking site Facebook to coordinate ideas for a fitting memorial for Mr Mowday.

The current headteacher, Ian Janman, said: "The former students said that they would like some kind of memento on the school site. They brought an oak tree, which has been placed in our environmental area.

"Mr Mowday was in to all things natural. He was a great environmentalist so it was quite fitting really."

Mr Mowday's widow, Jo, former students, staff and parents attended the tree planting ceremony.

Mr Janman said: "He was quite a figure really. He is still spoken about with a lot of respect. We have staff here who have worked with him and parents of children who are here now that he used to teach.

"He was a larger than life local figure. He lived and breathed the job, and the school was everything to him."

Mr Mowday was the inaugural headteacher when the school opened in 1972 until he retired in 1997. His funeral was held on November 26.

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