I was pleased to read (Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter, April 11) of the celebrations at Colwall Primary School to mark Richard Southall's quarter-century of leadership there, though the fact that he's been there 25 years means I can no longer ignore the fact that I must be getting on a bit!

I grew up in Malvern, attending the primary school in Somers Park Avenue between 1971 and 1977. I was fortunate enough to have been in Mr Southall's class in my third junior year and remember him as a caring, inspiring teacher.

He did, though, have something of a glass leg when it came to rough tackles in football. Hope it's OK now, sir!

David Marsden, Kensington Place, Heath Hayes, Cannock, Staffs.