Famous novelist heaps praise on former teacher (From Milford Mercury)

Famous novelist heaps praise on former teacher

2:30pm Monday 25th January 2010 in News

A former Milford Haven teacher was singled out for some special praise this week.

On Tuesday, the Guardian newspaper featured an article where a host of British personalities were asked to recall their most inspirational teacher. Included was award winning novelist Sarah Waters, who named Ed Tanguay. Mr Tanguay taught her A level art in Milford Grammar School during the early 1980s.

“He was a brilliant guy, inspiring me in the best possible way,” wrote Sarah, who grew up in Neyland.

“He had all sorts of technical expertise and was good at passing it on, and he encouraged us to think.”

She praised his innovative approach and described him as a bit of a ‘iconoclast’.

“One day he arrived at school having forgotten to wear a tie.

“He got us to make him one out of painted cardboard. He was everything a good teacher should be, stern at times but good natured, clever, creative and fun.”

Sarah went onto study English literature at Kent University. Her first novel, published in 1998, was titled Tipping the Velvet. She is best known for setting her stories in Victorian society.