We are incredibly touched to inform you that Bill Wintersgill left Aysgarth £3,000 in his will. It is the measure of the man, his family and their long association with the School – generous with their time, their spirit and now it transpires their money. Bill’s legacy specifically requests that the School spends the money on a Wintersgill memorial recognising the contribution that Bill, Wal and their father Tommy made to Aysgarth over so many years. The School will honour that request and plans to rebuild the small dovecot pavilion adjacent to the Headmasters garden. It will be restored to its former glory and extended so that it can be used throughout the summer to host match teas, school bbqs and other such events. It will be renamed the Wintersgill pavilion and will be a fitting memorial to Bill, Wal and Tommy who gave their lives to the school and made so many friends along the way. The Wintersgill family will be permanently associated with Aysgarth and with cricket – as it should be.

We ask you to dig as deep as you feel able. Any contribution is most welcome. Bill has kick-started the fund with £3,000. This is an appeal to all Old Aysgarthians who remember them fondly and benefited from their friendship, love of sport and clean shoes! We would love to raise £30,000 and the first donation is from Bill himself. Let’s be as generous as we can possibly be and make it happen. Please forward the details of this site to any of your OA friends. Alternatively, send a cheque to the Aysgarth School Foundation via Niki Pargeter at the School. It will be specifically ring-fenced for this important and incredibly worthwhile project.

Thank you Bill, Wal and Tommy for the joy that you brought to so many and thank you in advance to all of those who feel able to contribute.

Simon Price (OAA Chairman), Rob Morse (Headmaster), Nick Downshire (Chairman of the Foundation) & Mark Stroyan (Chairman of the Governors)