THE first and last headteacher of a Ledbury school has died peacefully in hospital.

Not many people can shape a town’s education but Donald Gray was no ordinary headteacher.

Mr Gray was appointed head of Ledbury County Secondary School in 1960 and remained in charge during its 17-year lifetime.

The 93-year-old died in Ledbury Hospital following a long illness, while dozens attended his service at St Michael’s and All Angels’ Church. His wife, Mildred, said Donald was a forward-looking man who never stood still.

“He was only going to be in Ledbury for four years because he was terribly ambitious,” she said.

“He felt he could do a lot for ordinary youngsters in Ledbury – he had a lot of faith in education, like he was on a mission.”

Mr Gray previously held deputy roles in Yorkshire and Gloucestershire, and was appointed head when the former girls’ and boys’ schools amalgamated. He retired in late 1977, shortly before the next amalgamation into John Masefield High School.

Current headteacher, Andrew Evans, called Mr Gray an extremely positive and enthusiastic man.

“He often talked about how impressed he was with the majority of young people in Ledbury,”

said Mr Evans. “He was a strict but fair headteacher who worked hard to provide the best possible education for young people in Ledbury.”

Mr Gray and his wife remained in Ledbury after retirement and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last year.

Mr Gray died on April 30, and was cremated in Hereford on May 14.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred, and their two sons.