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Teacher killed in accident
Monday 8th December 2008, 3:46PM GMT.
A Shropshire deputy headteacher has died following a three-car road crash.
Andrew Radford worked at St John the Baptist Primary School in Ruyton-XI-Towns. Staff and pupils from the school are devastated. Mr Radford, who was in his 30s and from Welshpool, died in hospital on Friday following the crash on the A483 Welshpool bypass, between the Flash Leisure Centre junction and Buttington Cross roundabout, on Thursday at 5.35pm.
Tributes were today paid to Mr Radford by colleagues, family members and friends, who described him as a “kind, gentle man”.Sandra Weetman, school headteacher, said: “On behalf of everyone at the school, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Andrew’s family at this terrible time.
“We are all shocked and saddened by this tragic accident. Andrew was a kind, gentle man and a dedicated deputy headteacher.
“He had a talent and love of music through which our children benefited enormously.
“He will be fondly remembered and very sadly missed as a teacher, musician and a friend.”
Liz Nicholson, director of children and young people’s services at Shropshire County Council, the local education authority, said an advisor was now in place at the school to support staff and children.
She said: “Our thoughts are with Andrew’s family and friends and we are doing all we can to support colleagues and pupils.
“The school’s advisor was at the school on Friday morning, and we will continue to support everyone connected with the school throughout this very difficult time.”
Councillor Ann Holloway, Welshpool mayor, said she came to know Mr Radford because of his teaching.
She said: “I used to speak to Mr Radford when passing in the street about teaching and he was a lovely man. It is very sad, especially at this time of the year. My thoughts are with his family.”
The Reverend Bill Rowell, of St Mary’s Church, Welshpool said: “This is a very sad loss and it has shaken the church community in the town.
“The family are very involved in the church and my thoughts and prayers are with them at this very difficult time.”
By Andrew Morris
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My heart goes out to all Andrews family and friends
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Mr Radford taught me at primary school he was a lovely man and will always be remebered.
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Very sad news, my thoughts are with Andrew’s family at this sad time
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Absolutley devastated that Andrew has left us. He was such a great man, taught all of his pupils well. The school will never be the same again.
RIP.
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Everyone is devastated about the news. Mr Radford was a great, kind, caring man and above all a great teacher. Our deepest sympathies go to all Mr Radfords Family and friends.
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Mr Radford was an awesome teacher to me and my class at East Bergholt Primary School and one of the nicest people i have ever known. My heart too goes out to all his family and friends.
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Mr Radford was the best teacher ever and will be missed by everyone. x
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To all Andrews family and friends, i am devasted to hear of your loss. Mr Radford was my teacher at East Bergholt primary school whilst i was in my last year. He was a fantastic teacher and encouraged mine and many others passion for music. We had many fun school trips out with him and he was a huge attripute to the school. I am now in my final year of school and all of my other peers who were also taught by Mr Radford are devastated.
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RIP Mr Radford,
you were the greatest teacher and person in the world, you helped us all so much and we wouldnt have got to where we are today without you.
x
x
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Andrew was a great bloke, my thoughts go to his family.
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Mr Radford was an amazing guy. He was my teacher at East Bergholt Primary School. Me and my friends were shocked when we heard the news. He was such a loving and kind guy, who always wanted the best for the pupils in his class. He helped us put on a fantastic production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” before we left primary school. If it wasn’t for him, it wouldn’t have been so amazing!
My heart goes out to all of Mr Radford’s friends and family. You will be greatly missed by all. Rest in peace xxx
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Our thoughts go out to the family, our family know him from the school in east bergholt he taught at, he was a loving and caring person who had time for anyone he was also a great teacher to my youngest son and friends he was their junior school teacher for 2 yrs he will be sadly missed best wishes from jo noakes and family
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I remember him being a teacher at Corvedale Primary school too. He was a good teacher and a really nice guy. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
R.I.P
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Andrew was an exceptional teacher! His legacy will be with all the children who’s lives he has touched, both in Shropshire and Suffolk. Our deepest condolences are sent to Vicky and his family and the staff at his school.
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Mr Radford was my at East Bergholt primary school for 2 years. He was the best teacher i had and will be very missed. When i first heard it was very sad and i couldn’t believe it. He was a amazing teacher and i will have all them memorys we had at school with me always. The best memory was when we went to york for a week, that was a great time and will neverbe forgot. My heart goes out to his family and friends. RIP Andrew Radford you will never be forgoten.
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Andrew will be greatly missed by all, however he will always be remembered, especially by the children at school, his memory will live on in them. With deepest sympathy to his family at this sad time.
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What a terrible waste of a gentle man.When he first started as the only male teacher at Ruyton , it was soon obvious that they had chosen him well.A role model who walked that tricky path between popularity and discipline,the future looked so bright with and for him.
It is a small consolation , but he will be forever young.
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I had the pleasure of working with Andrew a couple of times and remember him as a true gentleman and great teacher, sincere condolences to his family & friends.
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A truly Gentle Man and one who will be very sadly missed. Andrew had an amazing gift as a teacher he inspired all his pupils, who in return held him in such high regard, through them Andrew will live on. May we pray for comfort for Vicky, his small family, friends and all those who’s lives he touched.
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A tragic loss of a good friend. Having grown up with Andrew since we were small this is very painful. But his gentle sense of humour and kindness, his excellent musical ability and love of ITFC will remain with me for the rest of my life. Reading the other comments he has obviously touched so many people in a so many ways. A good man who will be sadly missed.
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Mr Radford was my Year 6 teacher at East Bergholt Primary School, i am devastated to hear of the tragic news. He will never be forgotten. My heart goes out to all his family and friends.
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Mr Radford was my teacher for year 6, and my fondest memories of primary school were with him. He was such a caring and talented man who I wish I had had more time to appreciate.
My thoughts go out to his family and friends, he was a great man.
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My heart goes out to Andrew’s family and friends. I was Andrew’s teaching assistant at East Bergholt Primary School for a couple of years and have many wonderful memories. He was a great teacher and will never be forgotten by those that have worked with him and been taught by him.
Rest in peace Andrew xxxx
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Andrew Radford was a fantastic teacher, My daughter caught the music bug from him and her love of singing and playing her instruments will mean that he’ll always be remembered in our home. our thoughts go out to his family. Rest In PeaceX
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Mr.Radford was a brillent and a kind man. He had the gift of music.I will miss you.
Rest in peace
Love Lily scott.
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Mr Radford was a superb teacher and musician. i will really miss him the school is not the same its all changed. i miss his playing in assembly. i remember all the good and funny times. i will always remember him talking about football. He was a great great teachere you will never be able to replace hime he just was the best.
Love Natalie
R.I.P
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Thank you all so much for your kind words and memories of my husband. During Andrew’s life he never really realised his true worth and I wish he could be here to read all the lovely things that have been written about him. However all the messages we have read on the internet and that have been sent personally to us have been of great comfort. Please look at http://www.countytimes.co.uk from Friday and the BBC news website for the tribute and photographs approved by his family.
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I struggle to take in this sad news. I will treasure many happy times having grown up with Andrew throughout Primary and into Secondary school, sharing a passion for music and model railways. I always remember the enthusiasm with which he played me a tape of a steam train noises whilst sharing a room on a music course. We lost touch in recent years – something I bitterly regret now. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
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Andrew
I bet you’ve tied a million shoes
and dried a million tears
and given out a million hugs
as a teacher, through the years.
In my child’s life, the role you’ve played
has been a priceless part
and you must know the special place
You hold in my child’s heart.
R.I.P
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A wonderful teacher who will be greatly missed by all who he knew. Our sincere sympathy is sent to his family, friends and to his work colleagues. Please can I take this opportunity to thank the staff at Ruyton Primary school for providing care and comfort to the children during this awful time.
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Mr Radford was a fantastic teacher, always smiling with a great sense of humour.I loved doing orchestra and the choir with him, he always made it fun.I will miss you, school will never be the same again.
love Georgie xx
R.I.P
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Andrew Radford was my all time favourite teacher. I saw him earlier this year and had always hoped of bumping into him again someday down the line so hearing the news was heartbreaking. I remember meeting his first born child and how happy he was so my heart goes out to his wife and kids.
I hate knowing that i will never see him again, He will be greatly missed
x x x
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Mr Radford was the best teacher I could ever wish for .I loved hearing his wonderful piano playing in the morning and he will be missed greatly.I would like to send my love to all of mr radfords family love anna j xx
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Andrew was a true gentleman, kind and gentle, I have been working alongside him only a short time but will miss him dearly as will the whole school. My sympathy go to his family at this time. Louise and Ella
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andrew , you were a true inspiration to all the children u taught , always a smile . what you brought to our school is a gift all the pupils can now take forward and go on to do great things with !! jay and charley will always miss you and the school will always hold a special place for you x god certainly has an amazing angel up there now sleep well xxx
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It’s sad something so tragic happens to such a good person. Deepest sympathy to all his family.
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