PUBLISHED 27 January 2020
Former long-serving member of staff at King Edward VII School
The School flag flew at half - mast on Monday 13 January in honour of former long-serving member of staff at King Edward VII School David Elliston who died on December 18, aged 89.
Church Road Methodist Church in St. Annes was full for David’s funeral service. Very many of his former colleagues attended in support of his wife of 65 years, Pearl, his children Robert and Catherine and his grandchildren. Phill Rudd represented the present school staff.
Stephen Heath, the minister at Church Road and fellow Rotarian Tony Berwick both spoke warmly and amusingly of David as a husband and family man, teacher, local preacher, play producer, Rotarian, wordsmith and proud Yorkshireman. In addition there was first – class singing of Methodist hymns, together with beautifully delivered readings by family and friends.
David, a graduate of University College, Oxford, joined the English department of the then King Edward VII School in 1966 and served there for 27 years until his retirement as Head of English in 1993.
Outside the classroom David was particularly noted for his productions of school plays and Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. Throughout his retirement David and Pearl have continued to be regular guests at school concerts and plays and enthusiastic supporters of the coffee mornings and lunches arranged for former staff.
After the funeral and cremation the Elliston family subsequently welcomed everyone to a lunch at the Bedford Hotel where several former King Edward’s staff and students were especially delighted to meet up again.
Donations in memory of David may be sent for “Church Road Methodist Church” and can be arranged through the funeral directors Roland. L. Whitehead and daughter.