TRIBUTES have been paid to an influential former Hexham headteacher.

Patrick Eavis, who taught at Queen Elizabeth High School for over a decade, died last month aged 82 after a short illness.

Teacher to a generation of pupils, his input into local education was described as unparalleled and inspirational.

Former colleague, Tony Webster, was a deputy headteacher at the school, and worked under Mr Eavis. “He had an enormous impact on my life and was the most influential person I came across,” he said.

“He was an astonishing man.

“He had a long-lasting impact on the school. He built such a positive ethos around the school, which put the pupils first.”

Born at Worthy Farm in Somerset, his father was a Methodist preacher, and his mother a school teacher. Mr Eavis’s brother, Michael Eavis, went on to inherit the farm and founded Glastonbury Festival in 1970.

He went on to study a degree in law at the London School of Economics, but later turned his head to teaching.

A colleague who followed Mr Eavis throughout the country, David Halpin, said he provided key support at a crucial point in his life.

He said Patrick was able to teach anything to anyone and today, people still spoke of the impact he had on their lives.

David said: “He was a ‘leader of learning’ long before the school management literature felt the need to invent the expression.”

Living in Wylam, Mr Eavis remained in Tynedale after retirement. He was passionate about music and the arts, chairman of the Hexham and District Music Society and had a strong passion for architecture and ancient buildings.

He leaves wife Dorothy, and daughters Kate and Anna.

Hundreds of friends, colleagues and former students of Patrick’s attended a thanksgiving service in Hexham on Wednesday.