Shropshire Star

Reunion idea for much-respected Telford school teacher

For years Telford’s Phil Smith has kept in touch with one of his old teachers from the 1970s, joshing about the rugby, chatting about old times, and popping in to see him occasionally at his home in Wales.

Published
Phil Smith, right, meets up with his old teacher, Graham Rees-Owen.

“We asked him whether he would like to see some of the lads – and this time he said yes,” said Phil, from Dawley.

So now Phil, who attended the old Phoenix School in the town from 1971 to 1976, is trying to see if there is enough interest among former pupils who knew Graham Rees-Owen to take a trip to meet up.

“We could perhaps get a mini bus and go down and see him in a local pub near his village, which is near St Davids in Pembrokeshire,” said Phil.

Welshman Mr Rees-Owen retired from Phoenix in July 1989, and at the time planted an Atlantic Cedar tree in the school grounds – and has expressed curiosity over whether it is still there.

At the time of his retirement in July 1989 after 31 years in teaching, including 21 at Phoenix, Graham Rees-Owen and fellow teacher Mrs Marjorie Kirk, who was at Phoenix for 19 years, planted an Atlantic Cedar tree in the school grounds to mark their stay.

The old school has since been demolished and a new Phoenix built on a different site, now renamed the Langley School.

Phil said: "I felt I had been very close to him through the rugby. Every year we ring up each other. If Wales wins he rings me, and if England wins I ring him. He’s 86 years old now.

“Me and my wife Lynda see him every three years or so and I’m wondering if there are any pupils from the early 1970s who would like to meet up with him and have a chat over a beer and a sandwich at his local pub.”

Anyone interested in being involved in a reunion with their old teacher can contact Phil on 01952 276420.