Former KES pupil Frank Tuffs is 100 years old tomorrow (Friday, February 12). Old Lennensians everywhere will be raising a glass at 6.30pm to toast our remarkable fellow pupil
SOMETIMES being chairman of the Old Lennensians Association comes with real perks. Such an occasion was when I recently received an email from Sarah Hartshorne, the principal of KES, about the remarkable Frank Tuffs. She had been contacted by Kathy Fidgeon, Frank’s daughter, who wondered if KES could do something to celebrate Frank’s 100th birthday on February 12.
Frank Tuffs
Sarah kindly said that she would send him a card and a video message from the school – and then notified the OLA, asking if I would send a card on behalf of the OLA. At that point our Archives department swung into action and traced his career.
Frank Tuffs was a pupil at KES from 1932 to 1937. Much to my delight, I saw that he had been a railwayman who lived in Andover, where my parents lived during some of my years at KES. I used to watch the last steam services in Britain pass a derelict signal box handily situated near my house. Southern region railway enthusiasts both!
In addition to sending Frank a card, I had great pleasure in informing him that he has been made an honorary member of the Old Lennensians and I am assured that his daughter will keep him up to date with via the website and the newsletter.
The last year has been a trial to us all, but what a happy story this is.
Tomorrow evening (Friday, February 12) at 6.30pm the OLA committee will be meeeting up via Zoom to toast Frank’s great milestone – and we’d like you to join us. We want Old Lennensians from all over the world to raise a glass to our remarkable fellow KES pupil.
Andrew Stephen, OLA Chairman
