Tributes paid to former inspirational teacher

Tributes have poured in for an inspirational quiz master who dedicated countless hours as a volunteer for charity despite being blind.
Harry BeeversHarry Beevers
Harry Beevers

Harry Beevers, who taught history to youngsters in Morley in the 1950s, devised hundreds of quizzes after losing his sight but died on Sunday, January 24 aged 86.

The well-known former Castleford Grammar School pupil volunteered for a blind charity since 2002 and took part in cycle rides and an aeroplane jump before being invited to Buckingham Palace for his contributions last year.

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Joan Beevers, his wife of more than 40 years, said: “Harry was an amazing person. He was determined, a gentleman and a fighter because he did not let his disability rule his life, he always found a way around it.

“A lot of people have written letters and cards to share their admiration for him.”

Mr Beevers worked at a secondary school teacher in the Victoria Road area of Morley following national service in East Africa until he registered as blind.

He then trained in brail shorthand and worked for West Riding County Council in Castleford.

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Mr Beevers went on to join various quiz teams and organised his own across Wakefield district for the RAFA Club in Castleford as well as local churches.

He later appeared on Channel 4’s Fifteen To One TV quiz show, featured on another hosted by Eamonn Holmes and helped set up the Five Towns Quiz League.

After volunteering for Blind Veterans UK, he was invited by the Queen, a charity patron, to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Mrs Beevers said: “He was very proud and touched that he was asked to be in the line up. His health was deteriorating but we managed to get him there and he was so pleased and so proud he got to do that.”