Retired Enfield teacher reunited with former students on his 94th birthday

A retired teacher and former Rugby coach at an Enfield care home was surprised when the team he first coached back in 1964 turned up to help celebrate his 94^th birthday.

Bryn Evans, a resident at Care UK’s Elizabeth Lodge on Pennington Drive, never thought he’d share his birthday with the students he once taught – but 60 years later, has done just that, after turning 91 on 17^th February. 

Organised by the team at Elizabeth Lodge, Bryn was delighted to find the rugby team he first coached in 1964, singing happy birthday and carrying a birthday cake into the home’s dining area, alongside his friends and family. 

Bryn, who taught at Chase Boys Secondary School, was shocked to discover the school had no rugby team when he first started working there in 1964. Keen for one to be created, Bryn wasted no time setting up the school’s first-ever Rugby team – and the students were thrilled. 

Now in their seventies, the school’s original team included former students Arthur Edwards, Barry Hall, Tom Hardy, Paul DeFelice, David Overfield, and Mike Theodoulou, who made the journey from Wales to celebrate Bryn’s special day alongside his former teammates. 

Commenting on the surprise visit, Bryn said: “My teaching days were the best time of my life – especially when out on the pitch. The boys were, and still are, simply the best. It was a pleasure to be able to teach them and to be back with them all these years later has made me one very happy old man!”

Michelle Sampang, Home Manager at Elizabeth Lodge, said: “Bryn often shares wonderful stories from his time spent teaching, so the team quickly got their thinking hats on and went back to the classroom to plan a surprise celebration full of reminiscence. 

“We were delighted to have created such a memorable day for Bryn and all his former students. It was wonderful seeing the former teammates and their coach reminisce about their time spent together in the 60s and watching the sheer joy these memories brought to Bryn.

“We’d like to say thank you to the team for visiting Elizabeth Lodge and helping to celebrate Bryn’s special day – he hasn’t stopped smiling since!

Elizabeth Lodge is an elegant, purpose-designed care home which provides personalised residential, nursing and respite care for older people, as well as dementia care and compassionate end-of-life care. To ensure that every day is different and enjoyable each resident has a care plan that is tailored to their unique needs, interests and choices. The home has an extensive activity programme including a gardening club, arts and crafts, cooking and themed events.