| Evening Telegraph, 19th December 1973, article by Carolyn Underwood
Can-Can Girls wait in the wings as teacher says goodbye
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| The can-can girls of Rushden Operatic Society: (l-r) Barbara Carter, Kaye Rawlins, Sally Massom, Jackie Halton, Jeanette King and Pat Bird. |
WHEN Mr. Norman Lamford, head of the technical department at Rushden Boys' Comprehensive School, announced his retirement at the end of this term, the school's Parent Teachers' Association made a song and dance about it...
For they decided to present Mr Lamford with his farewell gifts during an old-time music hall at the school — with can-can girls among the performers.
The near capacity audience dressed for the occasion in Victorian clothes and listened as the county's Chief Education Officer, Mr G. E. Churchill, paid tribute to Mr Lamford's work at the school.
"He has done a remarkable job and has made a valuable contribution to the Education Committee," he said. "He is going to leave the district and we wish him a long and happy retirement."
Mr Lamford was presented with a set of wine glasses by Mr John Bradshaw, chairman of the PTA, and Mrs Lamford was given flowers by Mrs Peggy Hooton.
The couple were also given a special celebration cake.
Grandfather
Mr Lamford has taught in the Rushden district for 40 years. "I have had several boys say to me: 'Sir, you taught my father', but I thought I would go before they started saying 'Sir, you taught my grandfather'," he joked.
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Mr Lamford, left, receives his presentation from Mr Bradshaw
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Mr and Mrs Lamford are to leave their home in Higham Ferrers to live with their daughter in Sussex.
During his career in teaching Mr Lamford has twice been president of the local branch of the NUT and has also been the county president and teacher representative on the Education Committee.
Alter the presentation Mr and Mrs Lamford sat back and enjoyed the songs and dances performed by members of the Rushden Operatic Society.
Individual items were by Gerry Myers, Margaret Ambury, Malcolm Chambers, Renee Welsford, Don Fulcher, John Jones, Geoff Wiggins, Chris Carter, Graham Ward, Joan Vaughan and Glynis Haynes.
Producers were Miriam Joyce and Pat Bird, and music was arranged by Pauline Longland and Madge Massom. Rushden Round Table members also dressed in costume and arranged the bar.
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