YOU can judge a person’s merits by the memories he or she leaves behind after death.

And for John “JD” Dickinson, the former head of boys’ PE at Farnworth Grammar School, the warm memories have been pouring in since Mr Dickinson’s sad passing this month at the age of 84.

His family have had an “overwhelming response” from former pupils and staff who remembered his support, encouragement and inspiration. He had even been mentioned in the biography of the late England footballer Alan Ball.

Not everyone can leave such a wonderful legacy, but here is a man who plainly has.