Sutton Poyntz

This message is from Chris Waight.

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Dear All,

It is with great sadness that I convey the news that yet one more of our treasured villagers, Dave Wintle, has passed away.

Sharon and I have had the good fortune to have been Dave and Sue’s next door neighbours for over sixteen years, during which time both have become not only good neighbours but also very good friends.

Dave was born in Plymouth in 1943 and while still a youngster, moved with his parents to Weymouth. He decided to take up teaching as a career and while still at Teacher Training college, joined a local church youth club where he met Sue. Their relationship blossomed and resulted in their wedding in 1969, married life beginning in Sutton Poyntz where they spent their lives together.

At the end of Dave’s Teacher Training he applied and was accepted as a teacher at All Saints School, where he remained until being forced to take early retirement due to ill health during 1998. Dave loved his time at All Saints where without doubt, he was equally popular with both other members of staff and the pupils. He particularly enjoyed being involved in school trips both abroad and in the UK where, I believe, he really came into his own by being known as the teacher who was “always willing to have a go on the fastest and scariest rides!”

According to Sue, whenever she and Dave were walking in and around Weymouth progress was extremely slow as he regularly stopped to have conversations with old students, parents, etc.

Dave was always willing to take part in, and enjoy various different aspects of village life, not least of which involved being a member of SPAM. His greatest claim to fame was telling his party jokes, the punch-lines from which were seldom reached as Dave would collapse in fits of laughter well before the endings, the results of which were highly infectious as everyone listening would enjoy the merriment probably more than the frequently absent punch-lines!

Dave, neighbour, and without doubt, friend to all who knew him, thank you for having enriched our lives. You will be greatly missed.

Dave’s funeral will take place at Weymouth Crematorium on Tuesday 16th July at 12:15, followed by a get-together in the Mission Hall.

Chris Waight