A FOND farewell was bid to a local stalwart who has been a leading light on the West Somerset sporting scene for more than 50 years.

Colin Johnson first came to Minehead to teach at the West Somerset Upper School in 1973, and quickly became popular with both staff and pupils alike.

Last week a group of former pupils and friends gathered at the Kildare Lodge to say their farewells to a man who has helped them to shape their lives.

In 1981 the West Somerset Upper School cricket team coached by Colin Johnson reached the Somerset County Final that was played at the County Ground in Taunton. The team is pictured Back left to right, Colin Johnson, Roger Holland, Douglas beaver, Kevin Prescott, Steve Baker, Andrew Stevens, John Date, and in uniform Bruce Kentish. Front left to right, Shaun Colman, Robert Yaw, Andrew Murrell, Kenny Cross, Mark Rawle
In 1981 the West Somerset Upper School cricket team coached by Colin Johnson reached the Somerset County Final that was played at the County Ground in Taunton. The team is pictured Back left to right, Colin Johnson, Roger Holland, Douglas beaver, Kevin Prescott, Steve Baker, Andrew Stevens, John Date, and in uniform Bruce Kentish. Front left to right, Shaun Colman, Robert Yaw, Andrew Murrell, Kenny Cross, Mark Rawle (Richard Walsh)

One of those present was Stuart Tudball who said: “Colin was a teacher and a man who influenced my later school life and many others just like me like me.

“I was an aimless kid lacking direction but loved sport. Colin took an interest in me and gave me time to develop my passions in football and cricket giving me confidence for the challenges of life.

“Thanks to Colin through the power of sport I now have so many friends who in return I’ve been able to enrich."

As well as inspiring many of his pupils Colin was also one of the driving forces behind the setting up and establishment of the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) — a county wide organisation which was very much to the fore for Minehead’s new swimming pool.

Dick Strong, who has known Colin since he arrived in Minehead, said: “Colin was a thoroughly decent and likeable member of our local community. He was probably the best all round sports person in the area. He was talented at cricket, football, tennis, and squash that I knew of but was never boastful.”

He added: “Colin always had at his heart helping young and not so young and local clubs achieve fitness and social life through sport and this he did through his role at SASP.”