David Gwilym Roberts (30 Sep 1965 - 5 Feb 2023)

Happy (belated) Birthday Mr Roberts! Even after all these years I still don’t feel like it can be ‘Dave’.

You are often in my thoughts - particularly this summer, in fact, when I saw live (for the first time) Birtwistle’s Earth Dances at the Proms. It was you who introduced me to that piece in particular - we studied the enormous score together after school - and a whole world of music more broadly, that, it turns out changed the whole course of my life. (No exaggeration). Can’t say fairer than that.

So much love to you dear Sally -

Ben x

Hi Sally. Lots of love on Dave’s 60th xxx.

I stayed with my brother in Tooting Bec last weekend. I spoke of Dave a number of times. He and I stayed there together for a memorable couple of nights roughly 20 years ago. We were attending an educational conference at the Commonwealth Institute, which of course was an excuse to enjoy some good beer and cuisine. I can remember that we crashed out on cushions off the furniture in the living room and when we left to attend the conference early in the morning we hadn’t altogether recovered from the night before. During the first of the speeches Dave was forced to make an urgent exit to the gents and didn’t reappear for a good while. I can’t remember anything of worth from the conference itself, only that we enjoyed each other’s company and made lasting memories together. Great times! xxx

Happy birthday Dave, yer old bugger! Hope you're enjoying a cracking good pint wherever you are!

Happy birthday Dave. Will have a pint today in your memory

Happy Birthday Dave (Sir/Mr Roberts),
As always I remembered today being your 60th but for old times sake.. the four legendary things you and Mr Allsopp had in common = Your names are both Dave - You both teach music - You share the same birthday (30 September) and Your Wives are both named Sally! One of my many memories I have of my Qegs (which i told Sally) days was when you found me and said the words as you know I liked cars "Jimmy I've got a new car" and of course proudly got out the keys to your legendary green Toyota Avensis estate! Of course what I'm mostly thankful for was that you understood myself and was always willing to make adjustments for me to carry out work to suit my abilites.

I still look at your message in my year book alebit written just shy of 20 years ago quoting "Good Luck Jimmy!" when I need it & I shall remember you always

Just to say we love you and miss you have a great birthday today xx

Happy 60th birthday, Dave!
Remembering all those days of music, debate, challenge and laughter!
Missing you, my friend.

Happy 60th Birthday.
It would have been a wonderful day celebrating - I miss you everyday, I smile at every precious memory I have of you, of us and I feel the luckiest person in the world to have shared my life with you: loving, warm, sensitive, funny, remarkable, clever you.
Your family, friends, colleagues, ex students often message to let me know how you have inspired them, how you supported them and how you made them laugh. Your beautiful legacy.
I love you.

Happy Birthday Dave (Mr Roberts or Sir),
You really were one of the highlights of my school days which while they were not always easy I always knew Mr Roberts would be there and looked forward to having our often daily chats about various topics! Forever thankful after all these years that you always accepted me for being myself and encouraged me to continue in doing so.

Happy Birthday Dave (sir),

Out of many things yourself and Mr Allsopp had in common of course one is your birthdays! There isn’t a day that goes by when you are not in my thoughts. All our conversations are now memories but i would so like to have one more. One of the great comforts I’ve had is telling Sally how much I respected you and what you meant to me during my school days. Because Mr Roberts was just the best. Those things still mean the same after all these year. Thanks for everything I miss and will never forget you.

So sorry to hear the news,I knew Dave from his days when we were both young teachers at QEGS. Enjoyed walking, drinking and many philosophical discussions. I still half expect him to appear out of the mist on a Pennine hillside. My thoughts are with those left behind. Paul