Linda Swann (Morris):
 
I was one of the first intake of pupils at Tollerton Primary School, and then my two brothers were also pupils there.  My Mum was a school dinner lady for several years and my Dad was also involved with things like crafts.  My brothers and I were reminiscing on WhatsApp this weekend.  One of my brothers remembers kicking a football through Mrs Gretton’s office window and getting a good telling off!
 
I can remember how we were encouraged to love nature. We were all given a tree to plant – mine was a Silver Birch.
 
I had quite nice handwriting and Mrs Gretton encouraged me to enter the National Handwriting Competition in which I won a prize.  She also encouraged my love of reading and words in general.
 

I was very fortunate to visit her in February 2018 with Barbara Crawford from the Tollerton Village History Group.  We had a really lovely afternoon chatting with her. She remembered me and my family and reminded me of some things that I had forgotten!  One thing in particular was that when the House system was introduced – Beech, Elm and Oak – my Dad took some samples of each wood into School and explained to the pupils what each kind of wood was used for. I had completely forgotten that.
 
 
 
Yvonne Page (Miller)

I only spent one year at Tollerton school when my family moved to Nottingham and settled in Tollerton . However that year had such impact that I have returned to Tollerton to raise my children who also attended the school.
My fondest memory of school life and the approach taken by Mrs Gretton was the animals we cared for and specifically for me a cat called Tipsy.
 

 
Simon Phoenix.  Music, acting and sports
 
When I first went to school at Tollerton Mrs Gretton was the headmistress, and during my formative years in that school she was our figurehead. 
 
She introduced us to many things that have remained as great memories. Her love for the great hymns were always belted out by all in our assemblies, and I will always know how to professionally keep a beat with a maraca, triangle or tambourine! 
 
I am also the proud wearer of a scar on my thumb after I stupidly closing the boot of her Saab on it after trying to retrieve some textbooks during an errand!
 
Our school Christmas plays were always spectacular affairs, and I will always treasure being a high profile bean bag balancer from Bangkok in Widow Twanky!
 
The fiercely contested sports days were always extra special, I have a photo taken by my mother as the victors’ ribbons are proudly presented by Mrs Gretton. I’m fairly certain this was 1973.
 

     
 

 
Anne Bond
I was amazed and so pleased to learn what a great age she had reached – and not at all surprised that she was still as sharp as a tack!
My brother and I (Simon and Anne Dumbill) went to Tollerton School from 1968-1976.  I have such happy memories of that time and Mrs Gretton was a major part of that. 
 
Her assemblies were full of music, nature and her evident love of learning. 
 
I remember all the school animals (very sad about the chinchillas!) and being allowed to breed rabbits in the pet area.  On my very first day at school she led us into Class One and the school duck followed us all in. 
 
She taught every class handwriting (not sure how my brother coped as his writing is still practically illegible) and wrote out the lunch menu in her lovely writing each day to be displayed on the way into the hall. My dad was part of the PTA and I think they got on very well too.
I so wish I had kept in touch – I did write to her when I got my O level results and had a lovely reply.  I now work in a school office and quite often find myself wondering what she would think about modern education…
 

The youtube videos are wonderful – just listening to her took me right back to about 1973.  Thank you for sharing them and good luck with gathering more memories from other ex-Tollertonites.  We were so lucky to know her.
 
 
Shona Price (Campbell)
 
I was very sorry to hear the news that Mrs Gretton has died at the incredible age of 104.

I was a pupil at Tollerton Primary School from 1963 - 1969 and Mrs Gretton was a very significant and positive influence on my early education. Unquestionably rather scary but always kind, fair and encouraging.
 

A favourite memory is that at her behest, we went into morning assembly with a piece of classical music playing which was then talked about during the assembly: this was my introduction to such music and an appreciation of classical music has stayed with me since then. A favourite piece was Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture which has a recurring “tune”. Mrs Gretton told us that over the weekend, the family had listened and counted the number of times that this “tune” was repeated which impressed me greatly!!

I was delighted to see her at the Chichester Theatre some 15 years ago now when she was part of a group visiting from the Nottingham Theatre Club. I was pleased to be able to let her know that she had been such a positive influence on me and so many other children.
 
I was also taught RE by her husband, Mr Gretton in my first year at Rushcliffe School!