Henley caretaker retires after 15 years serving primary school

A MAN has retired after more than a decade of service to a Henley primary school.

Darryl Trimmings, 66, of Leaver Road, worked for 15 years as a caretaker at Valley Road Primary School.

Mr Trimmings told of how he was made redundant from his job as a lorry driver with Walden Contractors back in 2010.

He saw an advert for a caretaker position in the Henley Standard, which he applied for and got the job.

Mr Trimmings said: “It was such an enjoyable job. It’s a different environment because when I first went there, I thought that it would be just temporary. But I got into the groove of being a caretaker, and it was a lovely place to be.

“There were some challenges, lots of different kinds of jobs to be done. It wasn’t always a case of unblocking a sink or basin or something similar, it was making stage props for school plays and helping out with Christmas events as well, and it was quite challenging, because I’ve never done things like that.”

Mr Trimmings said that the staff and pupils, both past and present, were “always wonderful”.

The school now has a new caretaker but Mr Trimmings returns, on a voluntary basis, to drive the minibus for the children to attend sporting and similar events.

He said: “I go backwards and forwards to drive the minibus, because the new caretaker hasn’t got a licence for it and you need to do a test.

“So, I take the children to sporting events, which I’m happy to do, and I don’t mind doing this as a voluntary type of thing. It’s nice to put something back into the school, because it’s a lovely place and they were so wonderful to me.

“I enjoy it too, because I can take them along to their sporting games and competitions and cheer them on.

“I know nothing about cricket or netball or the games that we go to but it’s great to see the children and encourage them to do their best.”

The school organised a reception for Mr Trimmings on March 5, with an assembly involving the whole school. He said that his wife, Sally “wondered who they were talking about” until his name was said.

He added: “It’s a bit embarrassing because obviously I didn’t really want the spotlight on me. I was greeted with gifts and cards from the school governors, the PTA, the teachers.

“All of the classes, from reception to Year 6, had made cards for me to give me a send-off and they were such lovely cards that they had all made and written themselves.

“It was a wonderful day. The sun was shining and it was quite warm, so it felt like the first day of summer. It’s been an amazing 15 years, and it’s been so enjoyable.”

Mr Trimmings told of how one day in 2016, it was snowing quite heavily and to prevent the school having to close due to the weather, he and Mrs Trimmings, were shovelling snow from 3am.

He said that he has been “paying her back” for her help ever since.

“I think the reason I lasted so long at the school was the people,” he said. “The staff and children have been so kind to me.

“The headmaster, Tim Coulson, has been there for just as long as I have, I think longer. I tried my best to get involved with things and the school actively encouraged me to get involved, even though I wasn’t a teacher or anything.

“It’s been such a pleasant place to work at, and I feel very lucky to have been there for the time that I was. When you find a job that you enjoy, they’re not common things to come across, so I feel very lucky in that sense too.

“I have made memories that I will take to my grave, in a nice way, of course, and while I’m happy to take a step back and enjoy my retirement, I will miss it. My time there went so fast.”

Mr Coulson said: “We are grateful for every minute Darryl has spent over the last 15 years keeping our school safe, secure and well-maintained.

“As our minibus driver he’s enabled so many of our pupils over the years to go to amazing places and do wonderful activities. He’s been a key member of the happy team up at Valley Road School and he’ll be enormously missed.

“His devotion to the job was truly inspiring. He was always up before dawn to come in and prepare the site and get on with his endless list of tasks and back again later in the day for more jobs and closing up.

“Even on Monday mornings, after his beloved football team West Bromwich Albion had lost a game, he’d be happy to help with whatever was needed.

“We’ll miss you, Darryl. We wish you, and West Brom, all luck and happiness.”