A FORMER headteacher of an Oxford school has become the inspiration for a new children’s book.

The life, times and antics of Joseph Welch will be portrayed in a series of children’s books called Please don’t let Grandpa, as a tribute written by his daughter Helen Costar.

He was headteacher at St Mary and St John Primary School, East Oxford, from about 1947 through to 1982 when he retired and according to his only daughter did “quite unusual things” in life.

The author, who lives in Ludgershall, near Bicester, said: “He was a very proud and kind, if somewhat unusual, father and grandfather who kept both generations amused with various antics, some of which are mentioned at the back of the book.

“He did quite unusual things such as taking some of his geese and chickens into school on the back seat of his car for various school assemblies and he could stand on his head well into his eighties.

“The book tells of things the Grandpa and the children do but the outcomes are not always what they planned due to Grandpa’s mischievous sense of fun.”

The first instalment of Please don’t let Grandpa is a collection of funny situations Grandpa gets into and is finished off with a few real-life antics.

There is also space at the back of the book for children to add their own mischievous Grandpa stories.

The next instalment is in its very early stages but will include antics based around a Christmas fairy.

Mr Welch retired from the Hertford Road school in 1982 and was given a Headmaster of the Year award in the form of a retirement book by children and parents on July 13, 1982.

He then went on to do a English degree. Mr Welch passed away aged 86 in 2004, nine days before his wife of 58 years, Kathleen.

He is survived by his daughter, a son, three grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.

Mrs Costar added: “As his only daughter I had a wonderful childhood because of his antics which he carried on doing for his grandchildren.

“I have been back to the school several times to give talks to some of the classes as the children could relate to me as his daughter."

“There is also a portrait photo of him in the school along with other headmasters."

The book is for children aged one to four years old and their grandparents.

It is on sale for £4.99 at Blackwell’s Bookshop in Oxford, Cole’s Bookstore in Bicester and The Wallingford Bookshop, Wallingford.