A CUP for cricket, a game he loved, will keep alive the memory of the first ever headmaster of the John Masefield High School, in Ledbury.

The Terry Neal Memorial Cup will be awarded annually from now on, for contribution to cricket at the high school, and it will be presented in Mr Neal’s memory and honour.

Last week, the widow and son of Terry Neal visited the John Masefield High School and presented the school with the cup.

The school’s business manager, Wendy Bradbeer said: “Mr Neal was last headteacher of Ledbury Grammar School from 1971 to 1978 and the first Headteacher of the John Masefield High School, from 1978 to 1991.”

She added: “Mrs Beryl Neal enjoyed her visit to the school and chatted about her role in training headteachers in the mid 80’s.

“Mr Neal’s son, Patrick, was one of the first ever sixth form students at JMHS and he remembered representing the school at cross country and other sports and said that he was the envy of his friends as he lived on the school site and was able to use the tennis courts and playing fields during the school holidays. Patrick still enjoys playing cricket and said he was honoured to present the trophy in his father’s memory.”

Mr Neal died last summer, during what would have been the summer holidays, and his passing was felt keenly at the time by the school.

An online obituary put out by the High School recalled how he was “always a kind man, who did what was right”.

The obituary added: “Mr Neal was highly regarded by both staff and pupils alike due to his wisdom and quiet wit.

"The successful amalgamation of the Grammar and Secondary Modern schools in Ledbury to form John Masefield High School was in no small measure down to him.

“Mr Neal spent his retirement at his home in Cheltenham, with Beryl. A proud Yorkshire man, who loved cricket, poetry and his family, Mr Neal will be very fondly remembered by those who knew him.”

Ledbury Grammar School was based at the stately Upper Hall, following the sale of the property to the local authority in 1920.

For a while from 1978, it was also part of the John Masefield High School, where 11 to 13 year olds were taught.