Prolific limerick writer, playwright and teacher dies aged 89

Frank Richards, the former school teacher and playwright, has died.

Mr Richards, who was 89, had lived in Bedford his entire life and had taught in several schools around the town before retiring in 1980.

Frank attended Bedford Modern School before enrolling in the army and serving during the Second World War which included stint on the beaches of Dunkirk.

On returning from the war he trained to be a teacher at Wimpole Park before taking up his first position at Bedford Road School in Kempston. He then went on to teach English and history in Goldington and Newnham before becoming head of drama at Pilgrims School until he retired.

Since then Frank took up writing plays - including one about John Bunyan - comedy and poetry and it is thought that he has produced more limericks than anyone else.

Frank is survived by his wife Betty, sons Roy, James and Bill and six grandchildren.

ONE OF FRANK'S LIMERICKs

Said a boastful young student from Hayes, As he entered the Hampton Court maze, "There ain't nothing in it, I won't be a minute", He's been missing for forty one days