Tributes to 'Salty' (From Penarth Times)

Tributes to 'Salty'

STAFF at St Cyres School have paid tribute to "an inspirational" colleague who recently passed away.

Alan Hughes, affectionately known as "Salty," was a member of staff at St Cyres School for 38 years.

During his teaching career he became Head of History and later Head of Sixth Form.

John Wilkins, Deputy Head at St Cyres, said: "He was an inspiring history teacher for all his working life, loved and respected by his many pupils and colleagues. For this reason alone he was well known to generations of people in Penarth and the Vale. There are not many members of the teaching profession who can claim to have taught in one school throughout their careers. Not surprisingly, loyalty was important to Salty, whether it was school, friends or his beloved choir, the Cardiff Ardwyn Singers.

"His musical ability was renowned and he was best known for his marvellous voice. He thrilled audiences with his concert performances and after-concert offerings such as Mary of Argyll, a song that he sang in the style of Stuart Burrows, a tenor he much admired."

Alan was a highly regarded tutor with the South Glamorgan Youth Choir and had the opportunity to pursue a career as a professional singer as a young man but opted instead for a career in teaching.

John Wilkins said: "Alan has a wonderful capacity for friendship. People of all ages responded to his genuine interest in them. He possessed a sharp wit, a wry sense of humour and enriched the atmosphere of any group to which he belonged. He will be greatly missed."