‘One in a million’ Tributes paid after death of ex-teacher
TRIBUTES have been pouring in for a “teacher in a million” who spent decades working at junior schools in Cheltenham.
Clive Jenkins, who has died aged 88, will be best remembered for a long stint at what was then Elmfield Junior School – now Gardners Lane Primary School.
He helped hundreds of children, some of whom came from disadvantaged backgrounds in one of the toughest parts of town, during the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
He not only gave his pupils the essential education they needed in the classroom, but also on the sports pitches – staying behind every evening so they could enjoy football, cricket, volleyball, handball, badminton, rounders and athletics.
Mr Jenkins was hugely proud of the fact that one of the boys in his school football team in the 1970s was Steve Cotterill, who went on to become a player and then legendary manager at Cheltenham Town Football Club.
He also loved the fact that many of his former pupils would greet him warmly when they bumped into him in town, often many years after they had left the school.
Most of his career in Cheltenham was spent at Elmfield, from where he retired in 1989, but he carried on until 1996 as a supply teacher at places such as Prestbury St Mary’s, Swindon Village, Charlton Kings, Dunalley and Whaddon.
Known for being firm but fair, his colourful teaching style and caring nature endeared him to generations of children. Many of them have not forgotten him and have praised him in comments on social media.
Lisa-jane Johnsey described him as a “teacher in a million”, for whom everyone had respect.
Billy Davis, who was one of a number of talented footballers to benefit from Mr Jenkins’ enthusiastic sports sessions, said: “Such a top man and great teacher. Will be sorely missed.”
And Claire Parker said: “He was one of my best teachers and I completely adored him. I used to love bumping into him and having a chat.
“He was a man with a gentle heart and a pure soul and will be sadly missed, but it was a pleasure to have known him.”
Mr Jenkins, who was originally from Abergavenny in south-east Wales, lost his wife of 61 years, Daphne, last August. Both had been season ticket holders at Cheltenham Town for many years.
They had met early on in their careers when they were both teaching in Birmingham, before they moved to Cheltenham.
Mr Jenkins had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in recent years and died on August 10 in St Faith’s Nursing Home in Cheltenham.
He is survived by his three sons, Dylan, Robin and Barry; his grandchildren, Toby, Abbie, Emma, Lewis, Felicity and Stanley; and his daughters-inlaw, Caroline, Sha and Lisa.
The funeral will be held at Cheltenham Crematorium’s Oak Chapel at 1pm on Friday, September 2, followed by a wake, with refreshments, from 2pm at the Apple Tree in Woodmancote, near Bishop’s Cleeve. All are welcome at both.
He was a man with a gentle heart and a pure soul and will be sadly missed Claire Parker