Tributes paid to former Walney Modern teacher after his death at 93

Reg Hartley passed away in December at the age of 93 and was a teacher at Walney Modern and West Shore School during a 26-year career.

After growing up on a farm, Reg was very fond of horses and volunteered at Furness RDA. Following his passing, his family set up a fundraiser for the charity, which has now reached £1,300 in donations.

His daughter Bridget Pickthall said: “Dad helped the charity as a volunteer for 12 years. He always enjoyed helping out and working with the horses. He loved seeing the happiness that it gave everybody doing such a rewarding volunteer role.

“We just thought that it would be something that he would really appreciate that this will raise money for such a good cause. In the last year, charities have found it really difficult to fundraise too, so we just wanted to do some good.”

Judith Stitt, chair of Furness RDA, has paid tribute to Reg and revealed he was well-liked at the charity.

She said: “We were so lucky the day that Reg turned up at Seaview Riding School saying he would like to join our team of volunteers.

"He was first to arrive each Wednesday morning setting up the arena and making the refreshments ready for our tea break.

"He quickly rose up through the ranks and became our designated ‘scoop the poop’ person and this kept him very busy during our riding sessions. He was popular with all the RDA ladies who miss him very much.”

Reg’s family added: “Dad has left a huge legacy of fantastic memories and will always be remembered with great love and respect by everyone who knew him.

"People have been so generous. He loved his time helping with the Furness RDA, so he would be delighted that they will benefit from this fundraiser.”

There have been more than 100 tributes to Reg, many from ex-pupils who he inspired to teach or go into engineering, and they remember his quirky science experiments, brown lab coat and its nickname ‘Sam’.