A memorial service is to be held in Swinton next week to remember John Biddlestone, a highly-regarded former teacher in Eccles and Swinton.
John sadly passed away on 20 April after collapsing while out walking in the Lake District.
He had retired to Cumbria with his wife Maggie after serving more than 20 years in various positions at Canon Williamson CE School in Eccles – now Salford City Academy – and the Swinton High School.
His funeral took place on Friday 29 April at 2pm in Finsthwaite near Windermere.
Now Mark Harrison, current headteacher at Swinton High, says a special service to John will be held on Wednesday 25 May from 6.15pm at St Peter’s Church in Swinton, M27 0WA.
Read: Tributes flood in for John Biddlestone
The whole community are being invited.
Mark posted a lengthy tribute on the school website detailing John’s achievements and his legacy.
He wrote: “Away from school Mr Biddlestone had many passions including birdwatching and his beloved Aston Villa Football club.
“Anyone who spoke to him could instantly tell that family meant the world to him and that caring side came through to the students at The Swinton High School as well.
“For me it is best summed up by a student in year eleven who was speaking to me about Mr Biddlestone on Friday who said ‘you could always talk to him, somehow he just always knew when you needed him most.”
John’s teaching career started in Liverpool in 1976 where he began teaching English.
He was Deputy head at Canon Williamson in Eccles between 1993 and 2003, before being made Headteacher at Swinton High School where he served for 12 years.
A book of condolence has been being specially printed and is now open and available at the school for any members of the public who knew or met John to sign.
