Page 2 - link magazine

2 The Link Magazine • November 2004
Reg the railway man retires from two schools
A West Swindon school caretaker has been proclaimed a'legend' for thousands of children who knew him during their primary school days.
Reg Browning retired on 8 Octo- it — a move he had not considered un-
ber after 17 years as caretaker at jI til encouraged by Toothill School
Brook Field, Shaw and also jointly I headteacher Richard Jackson.
for Salt Way School in Middleleaze, I T7 Z "I used to help their football team
which he looked after for 15 years ic / and got on well with the children,"
-the first caretaker for both schools j 4 :>. said Reg. "When the Brook Field
since they opened. School job was advertised I thought
Salt Way headteacher Sue I could fit in. But, having spent all
Butcher said children often remem- those years in the railway works, I
ber their school caretaker because had to mind my Ps & Qs; and I
of their constant presence and for wasn't sure about working with
being the person who sorts out the all those women. But we got on
problems. "Reg has been a special very well and I've really enjoyed
person for Salt Way and Brook working with all the staff and the
Field, always happy and ready $ children.
with a smile, even on the gloomi- "I often see youngsters who used
est days. , to attend the schools, some are
"He's never ever been late, even - taller than me, the first ones are in
in the worst weather, and has kept their early 20s now. Billie Piper at
both schools running smoothly. - ^" ' Brook Field was somebody who
He'll be remembered as a legen- ,' stood out before she became well
dary figure by all who passed known. She was always a live-wire
through them." ' _ and many of us thought she would
Reg and his wife Valerie were do something special."
one of the first group of people Valerie continues to work at
who moved to West Swindon, ar- ! a Zurich and Reg plans to take on
riving in Markenfield, Toothill in more of the housework, whilst
1977, a year after housing devel- pursuing his railway modelling
opment had started. He believes 1 W hobby. They hope to make an ex-
they are one of the last couples still tended trip to Canada in the not
in the same street. At the time he too distant future.
was an engineer in the railway 'I'1 Reg was presented with books
works until it closed down in the , of memories and photographs by
mid-1980s, makinghim redundant children at both schools and also
after 30 years 'inside.' gift tokens and an engraved beer
Becoming a school caretaker was Reg Brou,nin, at ca farewell assennbly at Salt Way on 11 October tankard from Salt Way.

KLAS S

CURTAINS TO SATISFY EVERY REQUIREMENT CONSTRUCTION

• Free estimating, design and advice
• Home visits by appointment
' = • Make-up and fitting service
. t —raeeee
Iil lip
1111 ^ ^
0111 111
y
i
EXTENSIONS

AND C CONSERVATORIES
BLINDS 0 PORCHES
OFALL KINDS WINDOWS & DOORS
• Wooden O ROOFING
• Venetian FASCIA, SOFFIT AND
• New linen GUTTERING
• Roman
• Verticals _
FOR THE FINAL TOUCH
• Roller
• New Eastern materials OF KLASS
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM at 252 CRICKLADE RD CALL: 0179 3 613 3 8 8
or call Tracey or Amanda on 01793 611051