The school, in Panniers Lane, is now planning a small seating area overlooking the Lower Hope Estate, where Mr Richards lived. Also in Bromyard, the Conquest Theatre’s chairman Sarah Handley thanked him for 30 years of help, guidance and support when she paid tribute to him. After supporting them “wholeheartedly” to build the 150-seat theatre, he and his wife had been “wonderful friends and supporters” of the Conquest, continuing to to take a keen interest. She said: “His sudden and untimely death means that we have lost a true friend and mentor. He will be sorely missed by everyone at the Conquest and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Sylvia and his family at this sad time.”