Mr. R. C. Mitchell, deputy headmaster, read a letter of appreciation for the work carried out at South End by Mr. Astle, from Mr. G. E. Churchill, chief county education officer.

Mr Astle tries out the easy chair that was presented to him

Mr. Mitchell said that the school's greatest successes were in the academic field, and former pupils of Mr. Astle had now become doctors, teachers, dentists, technicians, research workers and clergymen.

Mr. C. W. Elliott, headmaster of Corby Rowlett School and the teachers' representative on the county education committee spoke for other teachers in the county. He paid tribute to Mr. Astle's gift of analysing, the worth and effect of new ideas in the profession.

Mr. G. F. Thorne, assistant county education officer, said Mr. Astle had been regarded as "one of the best and most reasonable" headmasters in the county.

Mr. Astle, he said, knew only too well the frustrations and difficulties which faced the teaching profession, but also knew the satisfaction which could be gained from teaching.

Mr. Astle spoke of his decision to leave Rushden for Southwold Suffolk, and said he would never be able to pass South End School in his retirement without feeling "tinges of regret."

It is at Southwold that Mr. Astle hopes to pursue his main hobby of fishing.

Mr Astle said that he could now look back on the time spent at South End as "happy and rewarding years," and paid tribute to the loyalty of his staff.           

Mr Astle is to be succeeded by Mr. J. C. P. Hale from Corby Rowlett School.