A PEACEFUL oasis tucked behind a bustling city road has been unveiled to celebrate the life of a late teacher who brought joy to thousands of youngsters.

Herman David Munday took clusters of children to bask in the open air and grab a moment of serenity at the Hill End Outdoor Education Centre during his three decades of teaching.

Loved ones and former colleagues united at the Eynsham Road centre to catch first sight of a 'reflection area' crafted in his memory on Saturday, almost three years after his death.

Speaking at the ceremony, son Richard Munday praised the centre's volunteers who had transformed the space into a 'wonderful area' for teachers and children to enjoy.

He added: "I know dad would have loved to be here - I feel that he is here in spirit at least. He really loved it here.

"It's been a lovely place for all of us over many years. I think it's a great testament and memorial for dad, for teachers, children and staff to use in the future.

"Dad's love for this place was very clear to everybody that he came into contact with. It was dad seeing the children's enjoyment that really worked for him."

Herman Munday, better known as 'David', died aged 84 after a period of illness battling heart disease in 2014.

He was deputy headteacher at Blackbird Leys County Primary School and Bayswater Middle School, as well as a teacher at New Marston County Primary School.

The teacher had asked close ones to use cash donated in his memory to craft something at the outdoor centre, with family and friends coming together to unveil the new area the day before the three-year anniversary of his death.

Blossoming shrubs mounted in tyres, sprouting plants springing from remodelled toilet bases and a calming water piece have filled the patch of land at the 65-acre site.

Hill End manager Selby Dickinson said he was taken aback when he bumped into the Munday family following Mr Munday's death, discovering why the teacher held the centre close to his heart.

Mr Dickinson, who has been at the helm of the outdoor centre, near Farmoor, for four years, added: "He was a passionate teacher bringing children out to Hill End and making the most of it, and I thought 'wow' that's why Hill End is special.

"[I am] really delighted to have a little area to remember David but more importantly, to carry on that, - it will continue that memory."

A 40-year resident of Headington's Wharton Road, who was born in East Oxford's James Street, Herman Munday came from a family of teachers and is survived by his three sons and six grandchildren.