A LASTING memorial to a West Devon teacher who was tragically killed in a road accident earlier this year is being planned at Milton Abbot Primary School. The news of the death of Mike Pyne of Sticklepath came as a shock to the school, where he taught, as well as to residents in Sticklepath and the surrounding area. A memorial fund has been set up, and head teacher Peter Jones said the school had taken Mike's 'love of sport and birds as the inspiration for a substantial, lasting and useful memorial to him'. They have decided to build 'a quite small but nice' memorial pavilion — subject to planning permission — on the school field which can be used in many ways. Mr Jones said: 'It will be a place to sit quietly and remember Mike while enjoying the magnificent views over to Bodmin Moor. 'It will also be a viewing point for sports activities on the field and should prove popular with parents waiting for their children.' Teachers and children will also be able to use the pavilion as a base in all weathers when using the field for sports or outdoor learning. The school is currently applying for planning permission and hopes the building will be in place by September. Fundraising has already started and the PTFA has made an initial donation of £350. Anyone who would like to make an individual donation can put it into an envelope marked The Mike Pyne Memorial Fund Appeal and send it to the school, Milton Abbot Primary School, Milton Abbot, Tavistock, PL19 0PS. Cheques should be made payable to Devon County Council.
