A FORMER headteacher at Carisbrooke Junior School, musician and amateur dramatist, Barry Williams, has died after a long illness, aged 88.

He was born and grew up in Hove with his first teaching position at Three Bridges, West Sussex.

At the age of 29, he and wife Maureen moved to the Island when he was appointed head at Carisbrooke.

He held that position for ten years before moving back to the mainland as headmaster of Holy Trinity Middle School, Guildford.

He stayed there for 20 years but, on his retirement, the couple returned to their beloved Island in 1994 to live in Totland.

They quickly became part of the congregation at Christ Church, Totland, and their musical abilities were soon spotted as they became integral to the church and wider community musical scene.

Mr Willims joined the junior church leadership team and worked with the older youth to decorate the dungeon (now known as the cellar) so they had their own base. He also helped to run a youth club in the church hall, formed a drama club and gave piano lessons at home.

He was part of the worship group at Christ Church and played the piano whenever the need arose.

He was also part of Curtain Up Amateur Dramatic Society and in 2002 he joined the Old Tymers theatre group and was well known as the dame in the annual Totland panto.

With his wife of more than 60 years, the couple provided musical entertainment in many West Wight care homes, as well as a weekly shift in the Totland charity shop Faith, Hope and Charity.

In 2016, he won the Contribution to the Community Award at the Age Friendly Island ceremony in 2016.

He is survived by his wife, children Jonathan, Anne, Philip, Richard and Christopher, nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.