Tributes to former headteacher of Turners Hill Primary School: ‘He will be greatly missed’

Eric Dawes, who grew up in Lindfield, sadly died on November 14, one day before his 94th birthday, his daughter, Sarah Dawes confirmed.

Paying tribute, she said: “He was a devoted and loving family man and will be greatly missed.

“His greatest joy was to spend time in his beloved garden, growing, mowing and propagating whilst being surrounded by his adoring family.”

Eric worked at Turners Hill Primary School for 25 years.

He was born on November 15, 1926, and lived in Lindfield with his parents Thomas and Ethel and his older brother Leslie, who was killed in action during the Second World War.

He attended Lindfield Village School and later, Hove Grammar School for Boys.

Eric played football for Lindfield and ran the local cub pack and was a full-time chorister for All Saints church from 1935.

Sarah, said: “Apart from a brief spell when Eric served in the army and was stationed in Kenya, the majority of his working life was spent in education.

“His first position was as a primary teacher at Handcross in 1952, then on to the old school at Lindfield before being appointed head of Blackham School on the Sussex-Kent border in 1960.

“In 1965, Eric moved his family to Turners Hill where he took up the position as head of Turners Hill C of E Primary School and it was here that he spent a very happy 25 years up until his retirement from teaching in 1990.

“Many former students will remember his lively school plays, trips, maypole dancing and his wooden office shed that stood in the centre of the school playground giving him a good view of all that was occurring.

“Notwithstanding his scholastic duties he was always a prominent figure in village life, managing to divide his time between raising five children with his supportive wife Carol, and being dedicated to a great many village societies.”

Eric was the founder and organiser of the annual pram race – raising £11,000 for local disabled children.

He was life president of the Turners Hill British Legion, editor of the Turners Hill Parish Magazine, president of the Horticultural Society, chorister at St Leonard’s Church, as well as a church warden and member of the parish council.

He also found time to be a founder member of the school PTA and the friends of St Leonards.

Sarah said: “He was responsible for designing the village sign and he donated the village flag and name-boards in The Ark as well as starting the village museum.

“In retirement he delivered ‘meals on wheels’ and drove the minibus for the Worth Abbey day centre.

“Eric was also an amateur artist and author, writing several books and pamphlets on Turners Hill; in particular The Crossroads Village and Postcard Village.

“In later life he received an award for being a long-serving Sussex chorister for 80 continuous years of service and was made an Honorary Freeman of the Parish of Turners Hill for his exceptional and continuous service to the community.”

Following Carol’s death, Eric found the headmaster’s house and garden too much for him and he moved back to Lindfield into an independent living room in Little Compton.

He was delighted to meet up with so many former pupils and acquaintances in the village, feeling he had truly gone home, Sarah said.

She added: “He always felt very secure and comfortable at Little Compton and following a short illness, he moved to Compton House Nursing Home where he died.

“In the final words of one of his favourite hymns: ‘When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation, and take me home: what joy shall fill my heart’.

“His great love of all things horticultural and spiritual, his immense humanity and devotion to being a ‘Village Man’ will be his legacy; we were all enriched by just knowing him. We will miss you dear Pa.”

Eric is survived by his five children, Michael, Angela, Susan, Sarah and Alison, his ten grand-children and ten great grandchildren.