By Richard Sykes

Brian Evans, a long-serving head teacher who inspired loyalty and affection over 16 years at Honley High School, has died aged 86.

Mr Evans was born in the London borough of Croydon, the son of Welsh parents Idris and Kyria. His father was a minister and his mother a teacher.

Having completed his own schooling he went on to study history at Jesus College Oxford returning to London to complete his teacher training.

His career in teaching began in Chelmsford, Essex, after which he moved to Yorkshire to take up promotions. After a six year spell as head teacher at Crossley and Porter Grammar School in Halifax he was appointed to the senior post at Honley High School in 1977. He continued working there as head teacher until his retirement in 1993.

At Honley Mr Evans inspired great loyalty and affection from his staff and students and the school enjoyed a very high level of academic success under his leadership.

He cared deeply about young people and had a great rapport with them. He was genuinely interested in the lives and experiences of all his students and worked hard to foster a positive and happy learning environment in which they could achieve their full potential.

Mr Evans was a committed Christian and an active member of Christ Church in Hipperholme where he was a lay preacher, elder and member of the church leadership team.

After his retirement he served five years as clerk to the Yorkshire Synod of the United Reform Church and he continued to preach until he was 75. 

In his younger days Mr Evans was a keen cricketer and hockey player and throughout his life, true to his roots and passionately Welsh at heart, a keen supporter of the national rugby team.

He lived in Hipperholme before moving to Ilkley in 2018. He leaves a wife Pat, who was a teacher of mathematics at Greenhead College, children Paul and Catherine and five grandchildren.

Mr Evans died on January 18 and his funeral was held on February 1 at Christ Church, Hipperholme.