Popular groundsman Dave leaves school after 41 years

Head groundsman Dave Bradshaw is retiring from his role after 41 years’ service to Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School.

Having joined the school on 5 March 1979, Dave has worked diligently for four decades to maintain the school estate and prepare the playing fields and other sports facilities for use by our children and visiting teams.

His final day at work was marked with a socially-distanced celebration with his friends and colleagues, who presented him with a number of gifts to mark his departure.

Headmaster David Wickes said: “Dave has been a familiar face to generations of boys at our school, who will have regularly seen him assembling rugby posts, preparing the cricket square or riding on a lawnmower in all weather conditions, with only his woolly bobble hat for protection.

“I have had the privilege of visiting many schools and seeing many sports pitches in my career. I can safely say that the work that Dave and his team do ensures that the pitches at Merchants are up with the very best in the country. Their efforts lay the foundations for the school’s sporting success and we are incredibly grateful for all they do.

“Dave has become a highly-respected figure among his peers and a much-loved figure for everyone at our school. He will be sorely missed but we wish him well in the next stage of his life and he will always be welcome here at Merchant Taylors’.”