Last updated on 20 September 2019
The year was 1971 when my then 5 year old daughter walked through the gates of Tollerton Primary School, all excited and happy I knew I was leaving her in good hands under the guidance of Mrs Gretton, the Headmistress.
As my daughter entered her very first school year Mrs Gretton had already served 12 years as Headmistress of the school. In fact she was the first Head since the school opened in 1959 and to our sorrow was nearing retirement which came in July 1976 at the age of 60.
Over the years getting to know Mrs Gretton better I became aware of what an excellent Headmistress she was and how lucky we in the village were to have her.
At that time the children mainly came from the village and the school stayed like that until some years later children from further afield were allowed in as long as they had some connection with the village, like grandparents living here.
One day during her last year she asked me if I would like to re-organize the school library which was somewhat in disarray. Having accepted I spent a few months on and off turning the library in to some sort of order. A proper Librarian would no doubt have made a more professional job but Mrs Gretton was pleased and that was the main thing.
After her retirement I continued on the “book theme” when the new Headmaster, Mr Wilson suggested that we should have a school bookshop and for the next 5 years I had another pleasant past time selling books to eager young buyers. By the time I finished in 1981 the school had yet another new Headmaster, Mr Berry.
I don’t think there will ever be another Mrs Gretton whose 17 years as a dedicated Headmistress laid the foundation of Tollerton Primary which over the years has become a popular and respected village school.
The pupils of class 4 performed a Nativity play with a difference in 1974. One of the numerous plays Mrs Gretton would have watched during her 17 years.