A POPULAR figure in the Bradford community for over 50 years passed away suddenly at the age of 80 last month, and his family have paid a glowing tribute to him, describing him as a man of many talents.

Trevor Sharpe, whose funeral was on March 11, moved to Bradford in 1964 and became the youth leader of the newly built Buttershaw Youth Centre, the start of a 30 year career.

He led several international camps for young people, here and in Europe, and taught people to play guitar.

He also took groups to meet and work with local people in the Yorkshire Dales, and wrote pieces on youth issues for the Telegraph & Argus.

Later, as a detached youth worker, he supported recovering addicts before being promoted to the role of youth officer.

He took early retirement in 1994 following government cuts, to allow colleagues with young families to keep their jobs.

This selfless approach to life highlighted the kind of support Trevor gave to people.

In terms of his hobbies, he was passionate about music and folk history. Through music, he made many firm friends and could muster a good group of musicians for all kinds of events.

Around 50 years ago, he became a founder member of the ‘Waggoners’ (the old pub on Halifax Road) and this now continues in his absence at the Gaping Goose in Wibsey.

He was also involved in a great deal of charitable work.

There was annual carol singing for various charities, and several fundraising concerts for Hubberholme Church in Upper Wharfedale.

Along with others from the collective, he also made music and other programmes for Radio Leeds.

He collected folk histories of life in the Yorkshire Dales, and his final collection of stories from Kit Calvert, highly-regarded founder of the Wensleydale Cheese Factory, is approaching publication.

Despite his strong attachment to Bradford and Yorkshire, Trevor was actually born in Twickenham.

He excelled at athletics as a young man and followed his parents' artistic passion and developed as a watercolour artist.

At 17, he moved to Ramsgate, completed National Service and met Maureen, his wife of 57 years.

From 1976, he developed friendships and associations during annual visits to Padstow, which saw him become a May Day singer and melodeon player in the Merry Makers band at Remembrance Day celebrations.

He also supported and collected the history of the Padstow lifeboat station.

Trevor was a loving family man with two daughters, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

He had many friends that valued him highly. His wisdom and kindness will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him.