People across Bristol have reacted with shock and sadness at the death of a ‘legend’ of a teacher, who was killed in an avalanche on Ben Nevis last week. Tributes have been pouring in for Mark Bessell, who worked at Ashton Park School and Sixth Form for many years, and taught generations of students from across South Bristol.
The 48-year-old was one of a party of four climbing near the top of Ben Nevis on Friday, December 30. He and another climber, a man aged 42 who has not been named, inadvertently triggered an avalanche which took them more than 2,000ft down the north face of the UK’s highest mountain.
Read more: Climber killed in Ben Nevis avalanche was Bristol teacher
After mountain rescue reached the pair, Mr Bessell was pronounced dead at the scene but his colleague was seriously hurt and rushed to hospital.
Mr Bessell was a well-loved teacher at Ashton Park, and was married to Charlie, who also worked there. A former soldier in the ‘Glorious Glosters’, he was well known across climbing, expedition and mountaineering community, and led many parties of students on trips and expeditions over the years.
On Wednesday, Ashton Park headteacher Richard Uffendell broke the news to pupils and parents, and Bristol Live first reported on the tragedy. Tributes have been flooding in from former pupils and parents at Ashton Park, who described Mr Bessell as ‘a legend of a teacher’.
“Without Mark Bessell’s enthusiasm, patience and encouragement for outdoor adventure my autistic daughter would never have completed her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award last year,” wrote Lisa Gunter. “Sending thoughts and prayers to his wife and family,” she added.
Emily Mitchell described Mr Bessell as ‘one of the best’. “Hands down one of the best teachers I’ve had the pleasure of being taught by,” she said. “No matter how many years ago you left school, good teachers always stick with you and Mr Bessell really was one of a kind. Sending love to his family.”
Tanya Williams said her children were ‘lucky’ to have him as their teacher. “A sad, sad loss. Genuinely one of the best teachers my kids ever had,” she said. “My kids were lucky to have been around him and learnt so much. My daughter is very upset at the loss of such an amazing man who taught them such essential skills in DofE etc. The school has lost an invaluable member. Thoughts are with his family,” she added.
Mr Bessell had served in the 1st Gloucestershire Regiment - better known as the Glorious Glosters. His comrade and friend Steve Priday broke the news to fellow veterans.
Steve works to deliver outdoor educational experiences at Bedminster Down School - a similar role to Mark's at Ashton Park. The two became good friends. "Mark was an absolute character and will be a huge loss," said Steve. "As fellow veterans we hit it off from the first time we met and became good friends through our work delivering Outdoor Educational experiences to the pupils in our respective schools - his Ashton Park and mine Bedminster Down.
"There was always some very healthy rivalry over who's team would cross the finish line first on Ten Tors but that was always tempered with lots of support and advice both ways. I shall miss our early morning breakfasts on Dartmoor prior to Ten Tors Manager's meetings and banter that would invariably flow," he added.
Ashton Park headteacher Richard Uffendell said the thoughts of everyone at the school were with Mr Bessell’s wife and family. He said trained grief counsellors were being brought in to the school to help the children deal with the tragedy.
In a statement issued from Ashton Park on Wednesday, Mr Uffendell said Mr Bessell was a 'huge part of Ashton Park'. "I am sorry I could not ring you individually but I wanted all of you to find out with time to process the situation," Mr Uffendell said. "It is with the deepest regret that I inform you that Mark Bessell has passed away following a tragic accident on Friday 30th December.
"Mark was climbing on Ben Nevis and was caught in an avalanche. Mark suffered a significant fall and despite the efforts of mountain rescue has sadly passed away. Mark was a huge part of Ashton Park and he will be hugely missed, but never forgotten. Our deepest sympathies go to the family and especially Charlie, during this very difficult and upsetting time. We are in contact with Charlie and are following her wishes and respecting her privacy.
"We are offering support to all students and staff, including the use of external agencies at this difficult time. Mr Bessell also led a number of outdoor educational trips and visits. When we have further information on the next steps with this, we will be in further contact with you. I appreciate your patience and understanding,
"When the time is appropriate, we will work with Mr Bessell’s family on how we will remember the huge positive impact he had on the lives of all at Ashton Park School and Sixth Form, and all of South Bristol. I understand you may find this deeply distressing. I am truly sorry to share this news with you. My sympathies to you," he added.
As well being a former soldier, turned teacher, Mark ran a number of companies that encouraged people into the outdoors, to get into climbing and abseiling, and supervised many charity abseil events across Bristol over the years. In the mid-2000s, he ran Geronimo Extreme Sports store in North Street in Bedminster, and in 2005 he achieved a feat that has not been tried before or since - riding down the vertical face of the Avon Gorge on a mountain bike.
The incredible stunt had been 10 years in the planning and involved a specially-designed harness. At the time, Mark told the Bristol Post: "I've been waiting to do that for more than 10 years! It was an amazing experience, and I'm going to go straight back up!"
Read next:
- Huge new academy trust for Bristol created by schools merger
- What next for Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter and Longmoor greenbelt housing plans
To keep up-to-date with the latest South Bristol news, join our community of subscribers with my South Bristol newsletter here.
