A POPULAR teacher and sportsman has been remembered by colleagues following his death after a long illness.

Andrew Foreman was head of the maths department at John Beddoes School in Presteigne and a founder member of Knighton Rugby Club. He died, aged 64, at County Hospital on Friday, March 3.

"Andy was an excellent teacher who loved his subject and took delight in explaining its intricacies to young people," said Mary Compton, head of languages.

"He had an infectious sense of humour, which was obvious in his appreciation of the children he taught and in their appreciation of him."

As well as teaching, Mr Foreman was a school governor and a divisional officer of the National Union of Teachers. He fought alongside parents to prevent John Beddoes becoming the first school in Wales to opt out of local authority control.

"He believed passionately in the right of every child to a good education and he was committed to both the ideals of comprehensive education and the accountability of the local education authority," added Mrs Compton.

A father of four girls, Mr Foreman's second wife, Kay, said he never completely lost his spark throughout his long illness.

He was a keen rugby player and after playing for Ludlow, he helped set up a club in Knighton.

"It's testament to Andy that what he started 30 years ago is still thriving today," said fellow maths teacher and rugby player, Geraint Lewis. Mr Foreman's funeral was held on Monday at St Andrew's church in Presteigne.