Tributes paid to former Lincolnshire headteacher Peter Harden, who taught in Grantham, South Witham, Edenham and Baston

A family has paid tribute to a former headteacher who taught in several county schools.

Peter Harden, who lived in Ingoldsby near Grantham, died aged 85 on February 28.

Peter taught at several primary schools across Lincolnshire, including Grantham schools Huntingtower Primary and Harlaxton Primary, as well as primary schools in Edenham, South Witham and Baston.

His daughter Laura Challis said he was “quite an inspiring teacher”.

Peter taught Professor Valerie Gibson, born in Grantham, which he said was “one of his claims to fame,” added Laura.

She said: “He was such a kind and thoughtful person. I know a lot of people are kind, but my dad was on another level.

“He did absolutely everything. He built my parents’ house, he was a beekeeper for a while and also had a small holding with hens and chickens.

“He was also an avid historian and did a bit of writing looking back at the history of Ingoldsby.”

Born in London in 1939, Peter was evacuated at 10 months old to Audley End with his two-year-old brother.

Peter, who was one of six siblings, returned to London at five years old where he later passed his 11-plus and attended a grammar school.

His family wanted him to join the Navy, but he decided to join the RAF.

While in the RAF, he was stationed in several places including Germany.

While he was stationed at RAF Coningsby he met his future wife Jill, who was training to be a teacher.

“He was a wonderful man, he was my soul mate,” said Jill, 83.

She added: “He was a dynamic man and a go-getter. I am very proud of him for all that he did.

“From all the tributes I have got and cards, I didn’t realise how well thought of he was.

“He was his own man and always stuck up for himself. He was very brave and ahead of his time.”

Jill and Peter first met when Jill was training to be a teacher at Bishop Grotesste in Lincoln.

Jill added: “We bumped into each other at Bishop Grosseteste, but didn’t think anything of it.

“Then a year later, when I was a teacher at Coningsby Primary School, we bumped into each other again and continued to see each other.”

Peter decided to leave the RAF when he met Jill and trained to be a teacher.

He trained at Stoke Rochford Hall when it was used as a teacher training facility.

Peter was moved around several schools as he was a peripatetic headteacher, meaning a teacher who works for multiple schools in one area.

In his free time, alongside his many hobbies, he also was involved in Ingoldsby Parish Council and the local social club.

He wrote a monthly article for the parish council newsletter and also did some work with an evacuee magazine.

Peter and Jill adopted Laura when she was six weeks old. The pair also fostered several children when Laura was young.

They have two grandchildren, named Ryan and Callum, and one great-grandchild called Roman.

Peter’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, March 25 at 2.30pm in Grantham Crematorium.