A “quirky” teacher who taught at a school in Halstead for 12 years has died.

Peter Barrett was head of science at Ramsey School - now an academy - between 1978 and 1990.

He was 77 when he died of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Mr Barrett was a teacher for 25 years, mainly teaching in the Winchester area before moving with his wife, Mary, and children Steve and Julie, to Halstead in 1978 to take up his post at the school.

He taught both of his children at the school.

Steve said: “He was a popular teacher.

“He was quite quirky and would throw the board rubber at you and other things that you couldn’t get away with these days.”

Steve recalled letters from ex pupils who called him a “fun teacher” who made his lessons enjoyable and of whom they were very fond.

He was the only one of the teachers that some ex students still remembered with clarity.

Another ex pupil thanked him for never giving a boring lesson.

The family lived briefly in Morton Way, Halstead, before moving to Wakes Colne, where Mary, his wife of 53 years, still lives.

Steve added: “He was a nice father.

“He wasn’t very touchy-feely but he showed his love through the stuff he made us.

“He made me a chemistry set and a snooker table and made things for my sister as well.

“He extended our bungalow upstairs by himself and made everything in the house himself.

“He wouldn’t have anyone coming into the house to do anything - he was a very practical man.

“Dad wasn’t one to take a holiday - he loved making and doing.”

After retiring from teaching at 53 due to changes in the education system, he retrained as an electrician and worked as an odd job man.

Steve recalls his great sense of humour and enjoyment of practical jokes.

He was a cat lover, and he had about 20 cats throughout his life.

The oldest, Susie, reached 21 years - the equivalent of a human reaching 147 - and at one time the family had eight cats.

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in April 2013 and died on October 31.

He is survived by his Mary, Steve, Julia, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.