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Tributes paid to Keith Bamford - former QEGS teacher and road safety campaigner
A DRIVING enthusiast with a real passion for road safety has died.
Keith Bamford, 77, a founder member, and the training officer of the RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders (RoADAR) West Yorkshire branch, died on September 17.
Mr Bamford, who was a physics teacher at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School from 1980-1995, was born in Dewsbury in 1935 but lived in Wakefield for many years.
His passion for driving began in 1972 when he joined Bradford Roadcraft Club, a voluntary organisation concerned with advanced driving.
He became a fully qualified driving instructor in 1980 before being instrumental in the founding of the Wakefield-based West Yorkshire branch of RoADAR seven years later.
The group, which celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier this year, now has more than 250 members and meets at the Bishopgarth police training centre each month.
Mr Bamford devoted many hours of his life to road safety; organising lectures and public events, updating road safety guidelines and setting examination papers for the group’s diploma course.
He was accepted into the Institute of Master Tutors of Driving in 1991, eight years later was elected a Fellow in recognition of his services and in 2007 was awarded Life Fellowship.
West Yorkshire RoADAR branch secretary Robin Jones, said: “Keith was passionate about driving and spent much of his life dedicated to helping others improve their skills.
“He was an inspiration to us all, and to those who knew him well, he was one of the kindest and most caring people you could meet.
“He was a hard taskmaster when it came to learning the skills needed to pass the advanced driving test but would always provide tea and chocolate biscuits after even the worst driving performance to help the hapless individual recuperate after his tongue lashing.”
Mr Bamford’s other passion was music and he played the organ and violin, playing in orchestras in Baildon and Ilkley.
He leaves behind Marion, his wife of 50 years, two daughters, Lois and Ruth and four grandchildren Robert, Edward, Patrick and Heather.
His funeral took place on Friday at Bingley Methodist Church, on Herbert Street, Bingley.
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Wednesday 22 May 2013
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