THE former head teacher of a Holme Valley school has died aged 88.

Mr Ron Beaumont was head of Holme Valley Grammar at Honley between 1963 and 1978.

Before that, he was head at Sowerby Bridge Grammar School.

Mr Beaumont began his teaching career at Leicester City Boys' School in 1942.

His family were from the Holme Valley, although Mr Beaumont was born in Keighley.

He lived in the Holme Valley for more than 40 years.

Mr Beaumont was a passionate traveller, buying a motor caravan on his retirement and travelling in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Turkey.

He loved nature and was regularly seen walking with his wife, Bessie, a retired biology teacher at Holmfirth, at his favourite Digley Reservoir.

Mr and Mrs Beaumont had been married for 60 years and celebrated their diamond wedding on April 1 this year.

As well as his wife, Mr Beaumont leaves two daughters and a son, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

His son, Alex, is head teacher at Upperthong Junior School.