Tribute paid to former Wigmore teacher Arnold Pitt

A former head of remedial education at Wigmore High School, where he taught from 1971 to 1987, Arnold David Noel Pitt, would continue to pursue his passion for teaching and writing after retirement.

Arnold Pitt, who has died aged 85.

Mr Pitt, who latterly divided his time between Townsend Court in Leominster's Green Lane and Zielona Gora in Poland, died on August 28 after a short illness, with his loving wife Kamila by his side at his home in Poland.

Nephew Alistair Pitt said his uncle, who was born in Monmouthshire and moved to Shobdon with his first wife Marjorie in the early 1970s, first to Shobdon, then Leominster, was a passionate internationalist and a leading member for decades in Esperanto circles in the UK.

Arnold and Marjorie Pitt in approximately 1984.

After Marjorie’s death in 2010, Mr Pitt was encouraged to join friends at an Esperanto conference in Mielno, Poland. It was here that he met Kamila while exploring the area. 

"They got talking and just never stopped," said his nephew. 

"They spent the evening dancing and this led to their marriage in Leominster in August 2012."

The editor of 'Esperanto Teacher' for several years, Mr Pitt was a passionate and intelligent advocate for the language. He was also an author, publishing through the Leominster Writer's Circle, and with his works including a book on easy bike rides in Herefordshire.

Arnold and Kamila in 2018

For many years a volunteer at Leominster Resource Centre, he was active in the local community and took a keen interest in local politics. As a younger man he was involved with the Baháʼí faith and in later life attended Leominster Priory when in the UK.

Mr Pitt said his uncle was a kind and very sociable man who loved life and people.

"Throughout his life he worked to create a better world, through communication, education and understanding," he said.

"He was very much a European and internationalist in outlook and had friends all over the world.

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"We all have our own memories of Arnold. As a teacher, he always did his very best to help children learn to the best of their abilities in his role at Wigmore High School. He continued his public service on retirement through a range of creative and voluntary activities with community organisations.

"To his family, Arnold was kind, encouraging, and told the most wonderful, humorous stories. He had our backs, on the sunniest and darkest of days. He was very much loved.

"To his family in Poland, he was a man of patience, despite struggles with learning a difficult language later in life, loving and a man of many and surprising interests even in his twilight years, including swimming, watching speedway, teaching English, making music with his Polish 'grandson', Matty. And so much more. He was a real, very lovable character."

Mr Pitt leaves behind a widow, Kamila Pitt-Kaliczek. His funeral will be held at 1.20pm (CEST) at the old cemetery in Zielona Gora, Poland on September 22. A video link will be available.