Norman Hayes passed away on 26 December 2020 aged 92. Originally from Eccles Manchester he was drawn to the beauty of the Oxfordshire countryside and started his first teaching job in Eynsham in the early 1960s. The ethos of child-led learning was perfect for Norman. He was so happy to share his passion for art, the natural world and storytelling with the children.
As well as being a well-loved teacher, he was an accomplished artist. Many Eynsham families have pencil portraits of their children that he did at school fĂȘtes and many more have his watercolour paintings on their walls. He held exhibitions every year, often at the Bartholomew Room in The Square as part of Artweeks. He also showed his work in his home town of Manchester and as far away as France and the USA.
After retiring he travelled around Europe, New Zealand and Canada painting. He was a kind, generous and humble man who loved to chat with the people he met. He will be remembered fondly by his family and friends far and wide. His family would like to thank everyone who came to share their memories of him in The Square on the day of his funeral. Donations to the Alzheimer's Society were suggested in his memory.
Thanks to Katherine Jefferies for sharing this obituary, along with the photo taken on 20/05/2011.