Mr Roger Hughes
Lyneham School's Caretaker
Roger Hughes was born on the 30th September 1916 at Machynthleth in Powys North-Wales, a thriving small rural market town, with a population of just over 2,000, built at the edge of the River Dyfi's flood-plain, between the river's mountain source above Llanymawddwy and its estuary at Aberdyfi. 

When the family moved to Reading, dad went his own way and became a teenage Footman to Major Gerard Buxton at Tockenham Manor.  Major Buxton had adopted St. Michael and All Angel's Church at Lyneham as his family church and they and their staff had their own pews. 

One Sunday evening, dad's eyes met mum's and it was love at first site. He joined the RAF just before War broke out and spent much of his time in Karache. 

Upon demob' in 1945 he came home to Lyneham to his wife of three years and his baby daughter Angela.  He then became a Baker under Bert Hillier at the Bakehouse by the White Hart (back of the Spice of Asia Indian Restaurant).  He was alergic to something in the flour that they were using which made his feet swell and the Doctor told him he would need to get an outdoor job. 

A few years later in the September 1955 he was the proud father to a son Gerry who was born in the upper bedroom of 9 St Michael's Close Lyneham.

He applied for the new caretaker and gardener groundsman's job at Lyneham School and got it under the Head-ship of Miss Webb ... then Ken Barker ... retiring under Tony Phillips' Head-ship.  Roger died on the 27th August 1983 from a massive heart attack.

Mrs Muriel Hughes neé Amor
Born Muriel Elizabeth Amor at 54 The Green, Lyneham (aka Swan River ... now the home of Mr Ray Cole),  on the 28th May 1917.  She had an older brother Tom (who pumped the church organ at St. Michael's each Sunday)  and a younger sister Dinah (still alive and approaching 89).   Muriel, Dinah and their mother (Elizabeth Amor) would go to church each Sunday whilst my grandfather (George) walked to Goatacre Chapel as he was firm Methodist.  

One Sunday evening Muriel's eyes spotted Roger across the church nave and it was love at first site. Their relationship grew in the village and both eventually married at their meeting place, St Michael and All Angels Church Lyneham in May 1942. Muriel worked as a teenager in Trow's Wool Shop in Wootton Bassett until being called to War Service at a Munitions Factory at Theale near Reading.  She stayed in Reading at her in-laws place. 

Muriel a village bride, wearing white was given away by her proud father George Amor at St. Michael and All Angel's Church Lyneham in the spring months of 1942. The groom, Roger, still serving in the Royal Air Force worn his No 1 Uniform.

When Gerry started school in 1960 aged 5, Muriel wanted to occupy her spare time while Gerry was at school and got a cleaning job at the school.   After retirement in 1981 she and Roger moved to Pound Close where mum remained after dad's death, until her own from cancer in Princess Margaret's Hospital on 27th September 1999 aged 82.

Gerry Hughes rekindles school memories
Gerry Hughes, born in St Michael's Close Lyneham during September 1955, who is currently working for BBC Radio Swindon and BBC Radio Wiltshire, took the opportunity to revisit Lyneham Primary School, to rekindle fond memories of his childhood days when the infants school first opened. Gerry's father, was the first caretaker at Lyneham Infants School, when it opened on 6th September 1965 and was previously also at the Junior School as caretaker since 1953. Gerry remembers the early days of his school life, as if they were only yesterday. More..

We would like to pass on our personal thanks to Gerry Hughes for the images and sharing the biography backgrounds.