A church was packed with people this weekend as they gave thanks and celebrated the life of a former school headmaster.

David Gibbs, who led Chigwell School in the High Road between 1996 and 2007, passed away earlier this year and was remembered in St Mary’s Church, Chigwell, on Saturday (May 14).

Many from the school attended the service of celebration and thanksgiving.

Eulogies were given by a former master of the Skinners’ Livery Company, where Mr Gibbs was education officer after leaving Chigwell, and the chair of governors at Ardingly College – where Mr Gibbs himself studied – spoke of his dedicated later work as a governor.

Current Chigwell School headmaster Michael Punt, who succeeded Mr Gibbs, said: “Saturday was a wonderful celebration of all that David contributed to Chigwell over 11 years.

“He certainly had a significant impact on Chigwell School and on the lives of pupils and their families here and elsewhere.

“No one could question David’s dedication and care and he will be greatly missed.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Philippa and their two sons, Matthew and Thomas, both of whom are also Old Chigwellians.”