Cliff taught at SHSB between 1951 and 1981 after a brief stint at Shoebury High. He was President of the Association in 1983/84. His father, Billy Wyatt, taught at the School between 1921 and 1956 and was President in 1956/57. Incredibly, Cliff has now been retired for nearly forty years. Cliff has also met all seven Heads that the School has had.
Cliff has been a lifelong fan of the hockey club, a member of the golf circle (he played at over 150 different courses) and, post-retirement, an active member of the bowls circle for twenty-five years. He has been a member of the Old Southendian Lodge for over 75 years and also last year he and Ethel celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary.
On the occasion of his 100th birthday, it was with great pleasure that I attended a little celebration recently with Cliff and his wife Ethel to show them that they were in the thoughts of the Association.
President Mr Andy Crow (Athens, 1974-1981) was on hand to make the presentation – Cliff taught Andy Biology for a few terms all those years ago and another spooky fact is that Cliff’s father, Billy, gave the presidential chain of office to the Association when he was President which Andy is wearing on the picture.
We have been planning the cake for a while and commissioned the very talented Mrs Worth, the Deputy Head of the School, who as well as being extremely musical has a flair for cakes and markets her expertise through the Cakeworth brand. Cliff was the Tuscan House Master in his day, and so the blazer and tie are genius. As well as the school motto, the cake displayed all four house mottos and the full school crest.
Both Cliff and Ethel are fully vaccinated and are in good health. They asked Andy to pass on their best wishes to all Association members and everyone associated with the School past and present.