Jim, a true scholar and a great sport

CHARACTER . . . Jim Gould

Teacher dies 11 months after his young son

TRIBUTES are being paid to teacher and Oldham Cricket Club stalwart Jim Gould who has died suddenly aged 56 — almost 11 months to the day after his son.

A book of remembrance has been opened at Breeze Hill school where he taught children with special needs.

Passionate about sport, Mr Gould formerly played in the front row for Ashton Rugby Union Football Club and was Oldham Cricket Club’s first team scorer for many years.

It is the second tragedy for his family after his 14-year-old-son, Christopher, died on July 25 last year when he suffered an allergic reaction to a cashew nut. An inquest into his death is still to be concluded.

Mr Gould died at his Moorside home last Tuesday and leaves his wife Anne-Marie, son David and stepdaughter Joanna.

Breeze Hill head teacher Mr Bernard Phillips said: “Some older members of staff sometimes remark that teaching has fewer characters around the profession these days — well Jim was certainly one of those.

“Much of Jim’s reputation as a character derived from his passion for sport. Any member of staff at Monday morning break or lunchtime would know that engaging with Jim would mean an analysis of the weekend’s sports results.

“Football, cricket or rugby — take your pick — Jim could discuss all of them at length.

“Jim spent the bulk of his career at Breeze Hill where a book of remembrance has been opened to enable the many members of staff and students, past and present, to record their memories of someone who was simply referred to as Jim.”

Mr Gould began his career as a history teacher at Fitton Hill in 1974 before moving to Breeze Hill in 1987, and was a former president of the Oldham branch of the NASUWT teaching union.

Friend Frank Hunt, a former secretary of Oldham NASUWT, described him as a typical Oldhamer with a lot of common sense who put the needs of members before political deals.

He added: “He felt that a good teacher in a classroom benefited education, therefore he wanted to push for good teachers.

“He was a very strong believer in ‘I am running the lesson, I work with the children and I know exactly how I should approach this’.”

Mr Gould was a committee member at Oldham Cricket Club as well as a former secretary.

Member Howard Schofield said: “He was a dedicated and enthusiastic scorer and he got involved with the social side of the club as well. He was very pleasant, jovial and well-liked.”

The funeral will take place at Oldham Crematorium at 3.30pm on Friday. An inquest has been opened and adjourned.