Corby school governor retires after nearly four decades serving his community

A dedicated school governor is retiring from his role at Woodnewton: A Learning Community after 38 years.

Chris Woolmer, who grew up in Corby and went to Rockingham Primary School, became a governor in the early 1980s when Corby was a very different place.

In his time as a governor at Woodnewton, in Rowlett Road, he has seen five different headteachers and a host of changes. Now, aged 78, he is retiring from the role but has no intention of putting up his feet.

He said: "I've decided to step down as the school is going down a new road with a new trust so it's time for a fresh pair of eyes.

"I joined originally as it was a local and I was happy to do my bit.

"During my years here I have been part of setting up the walking bus which means I've been in the school very frequently. I've also helped them to do the gardening and have helped lots of the staff to teach the children about sowing seeds in the spring time.

"I've been here so long now that some of the children who were here then have children and grandchildren of their own.

"Although I won't be a governor anymore I've still offered to come in and help with the gardening."

Chris started off as a governor in Woodnewton infants school before it merged with the juniors to become one school. He helped oversee the school's transition to become grant maintainted - one of the first locals schools to do so.

Chris worked in a boot and shoe trade before going on to tread the same path as so many of his generation in the Corby steelworks.

He is also a former Corby Borough Councillor and Kingswood School governor as well as a current volunteer at the Citizen's Advice Bureau, where he will continue working.