Memories of Bruce Longden whilst teaching at Romford County Technical School
Mr Longden was the PE (and geography) teacher when I was at RCTS. He was easily my favourite teacher there.
Once, we had kicked our ball out of the playground and over a neighbouring garden fence. I asked Albert the caretaker if he had a spare one. He said to me you’re one of Mr Longden’s favourites aren’t you?” I said “maybe”. He said, “then I haven’t”.
Obviously Bruce had been a bit too demanding about the running track marking or something similar. No surprise there. I laugh now and feel very proud that I was thought of as a favourite of his. I was no great athlete, just a reasonable distance runner, but he imbued a love of sport (and geography) in me that I still have today.
Bruce was a great teacher and I welled up when he went. I was about twelve or thirteen at the time.
Best regards
Ian Smith
(Age 71)
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