Ulverston Victoria High School pay tribute to 'wonderful' technician Dave Wearing

Dave Wearing worked as a technician in the design and technology department of the Ulverston-based school for 30 years and was a well-known figure, helping guide students doing the Duke of Edinburgh award programme.

Headteacher Matt Hardwick said: "Dave was a wonderful, dedicated member of staff who had worked at the school for over 30 years.

"Although employed as a member of support staff, Dave spent much of his day working with students, teaching them how to use different machines or turning their designs into reality.

"He was also very heavily involved in the life of the school, through his music and also the support he gave to the Duke of Edinburgh programme, having a positive effect on the experience our children have at UVHS. Dave was the kind of person that made the world work the way it should.

"Dave was a true gentleman, he will be greatly missed for his wisdom, his generosity and his humour.

"This is a sad day for all of our school community."

TRIBUTE: Dave Wearing during the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions he helped assess

Mr Barlow, Head of Design, Technology & Art, and Mrs Ford, Head of Food & Textiles, said: "Dave Wearing will forever be part of the Design and Technology department at UVHS and he was so much more than a technician.

"Dave was a mentor to staff and students alike and inspired generations of students to follow a career in engineering and other associated trades.

"Dave devoted his life to being outside in the fresh air and was a key member of the Duke of Edinburgh programme and willingly gave up his time to help guide staff and students over the fells in Cumbria and was an accomplished climber.

"Dave could always be relied on to tell us the best spot to go camping or hiking, how to solve a practical problem in the workshop and his pearls of wisdom will be sorely missed by everyone who ever met him."

EDUCATION: Ulverston Victoria High School

Mr Wearing was also a very well-known figure in the musical community throughout South Cumbria.

Richard Butler, assistant headteacher at UVHS, said: "In the early 1990s he formed a Furness Youth Big Band within Furness Music Centre and inspired countless talented youngsters to get involved, resulting in them experiencing playing regular gigs throughout the region.

"He was a prodigious musical talent who could put his hand to any instrument and in any style, and he continued his music-making right up until the lockdowns by playing with various bands over the years.

"His love of music has been passed on to countless others, and his absence will now be felt far and wide."