A retired PE teacher was left speechless when his 1964 school rugby team turned up at his care home … to sing him “Happy 94th Birthday!”
Bryn Evans, moved to Chace(ok) Boys Secondary School, in Enfield, north London, as head of PE in the 1960s but was shocked to discover the school had no rugby team.
Keen for one to be created, Bryn wasted no time setting up the school’s first-ever rugby union side in 1964 and the keen sporty students were thrilled.
Exactly six decades later – when one of that team Tom Hardy, 71, discovered Bryn was living at Elizabeth Lodge care home in Enfield – he put a ‘shout out’ on Facebook for as many of his team-mates as possible to pay him a visit.
And to bachelor Bryn’s complete surprise, six of his old rugby team pupils – now all aged between 70-72 – travelled across the UK to be there for his 94th celebration bash on 17th February and sing him ‘Happy Birthday’.
Thrilled Bryn said afterwards: “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!”
Now in their seventies, the school’s original team included former students Arthur Edwards, Barry Hall, Tom Hardy, Paul DeFelice, David Overfield.
Mike Theodoulou made the journey all the way from Wales to celebrate Bryn’s special day in Essex, alongside his former teammates.
After a tip-off from the care home and realising Bryn was living just round the corner from their old school, Tom used social media to track down as many of the team as he could.
And 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.
Afterwards Tom said: “Bryn, or Mr Evans, was one of the most amazing teachers. He was always understanding and an inspiration to us – and still is today!”
Bryn never thought he’d share his birthday with the students he once taught – but 60 years later, has done just that, after turning 94 on 17th February.
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!”
