DARTMOUTH’S Flavel Trust has received a ‘very generous’ legacy from the late Michael Emms who lived at Beacon Oak, Kings­wear.

Michael – described as a ‘real character’ – was fiercely independent and a typical bachelor schoolmaster. He was very generous and sociable but also happy in his own company.

Friends have spoken about his ever-open door, and his willingness to listen and to give advice.

Michael taught Latin and religious education at Churston Ferrers Grammar School, and was a well-respected teacher throughout his career.

He also had a great interest in music and literature, making it perhaps fitting that he should leave a sum of money to the arts centre.

In his retirement, he ran the first classical history group for the newly formed Dart­mouth and Kingswear branch of the U3A. He was dedicated to St Thomas of Canterbury Church in Kingswear, where he is fondly remembered as a server and a chorister.

He also worked tirelessly for the British Heart Found­ation.

Michael’s legacy to the Flavel will go towards updating lighting equipment. Trust chairman David Chap­man said: ‘We have already started to apply Michael’s extra­ordinarily generous bequest to re-equip the auditorium with a lighting desk and controls, a project of which I believe he would have approved.

‘However, my feeling is we should also devote a sum of the money to a special evening of performance, as a fitting memorial to him and to express our thanks.

‘We’ll be asking his friends at the Flavel to suggest exactly what form that evening should take.’

He added taht the Flavel relies on the help of volunteers and supporters to keep arts alive in the local community. Support is of vital importance to maintain the high standard of performances and to maintain the building.