A MEMORIAL bench to Ashley Tossell, a popular former teacher at Tavistock College and Tavistock town councillor, was dedicated on Sunday in Bedford Square.

Mr Tossell’s family Carolyn, Natalie and Barney were present with the Very Rev Dr Chris Hardwick performing the ceremony and town mayor Cllr Mandy Ewings giving a dedication.

Mr Tossell, who spent his entire teaching career at the college working in the school’s PE department for more than 30 years, died suddenly on October 3 last year. After his death hundreds of people — many former students — took to social media to pay tribute to him.

He initially started life at the college as a supply teacher in 1978 before joining the school full-time. He climbed the ranks to become head of the PE department before his retirement from the college around seven years ago. Still wanting to be part of the school where his children were students, Mr Tossell then served as a school governor.

Born in Redruth, Mr Tossell lived with his parents in St Ives and attended Humphrey Davy Grammar School in Penzance. As a youth he played rugby and football for Cornwall and also was South West County sprint champion, running against Olympic gold medallist and Steve Ovett in the All-England 400m final.Mr Tossell did his teacher training at Marjon in the year the college transferred from London to Plymouth. After his retirement he had remained involved in the sporting community, coaching his son Barney’s football team and playing golf.For many years Mr Tossell had close ties to the town’s rugby and football clubs including being a key holder and chairman of the football club and player for Tavistock Rugby Club’s veterans’ team.