David Wadsworth

A FORMER Elland man, David Grant Wadsworth, who had a distinguished career in education administration, has died at his home in Cambridgeshire six days short of his 68th birthday.

After attending South End Junior School, Elland, Mr Wadsworth went to Hipperholme Grammar School, where he was head boy, before studying at Oriel College, Oxford, obtaining a BA Hons degree in preparation for an intended career as a teacher.

His first post was in Gloucestershire, followed by a period in Blackpool at the independent Arnold School, but he then made a career switch to administration, firstly with Leeds City County education department before moving in due course to become deputy director of education for Northumberland County Council followed by an appointment as chief education officer with Bedfordshire County Council.

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Mr Wadsworth’s final career appointment was as chief executive for British Forces Schools Overseas based at JHQ Rheindahlen, Germany, retiring three years ago.

Following his retirement he returned to his home in the village of Covington where his partner, Jocelyne, found him dead on Christmas Eve following a heart attack.

Mr Wadsworth joined Elland C A & BC as a junior, becoming first eleven cricket captain in 1976.

While at Hipperholme GS, he began playing rugby union, and his knowledge of both union and cricket proved useful later when one of his hobbies was broadcasting on both sports for BBC Radio Leeds.

He was a member of Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the Rugby Football Union.