A HEREFORDSHIRE man who spent his career dedicated to teaching the children of the county has written a book about his experiences.

On leaving teacher training, Tony Bailey taught at Hunderton Junior School from 1963 to 1967.

He then assumed a role as Deputy Head at Kingstone Primary before taking on Headteacher roles at Clehonger Primary between 1971 and 1983 and then St Thomas Cantilupe School in Hereford, until his retirement in 1997.

Mr Bailey recalls his time as Head of sport at Hunderton.

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He said: "The two years I spent as Head of PE were successful, and against all expectations, the football team won the Hereford primary schools six-a-side knockout cup."

During his time at Kingstone, Mr Bailey remembers the laughs had in the staff room about some of the things the kids would say.

He said: "On one occasion, one of the infant teachers came in at break time and said: 'there is incest in my class.'

"She went on to explain that one of her pupils had said to her 'Miss, my mummy had my baby last night'."

Mr Bailey moved to Clehonger Primary, where he would serve as headteacher for 12 years.

He talks of how the school bonded through a couple of tragic events.

He said: "A school is a family and sometimes tragedy strikes.

"At Clehonger, we had a young boy who was born with a hole in the heart die after just a few weeks in school, then few years later a member of the teaching staff died shortly after giving birth to her first child.

"At such times staff, pupils and parents bond together in love and support for one another."

May 1984 saw a special visitor join Mr Bailey and his pupils at the new St Thomas Cantilupe School in Hereford, formed after the closure of St Owen's, All Saints and St Peter's primary.

Princess Anne visited to open the school and Mr Bailey was honoured to show her round.

She had done her homework and was aware of the merger.

He said: "It was a joy to show her the school.

"She said before leaving: 'From what I've seen today I believe your school will thrive.' "

Mr Bailey's book 'Thank you for my edducasion' is on sale at the Courtyard and at the Hereford Tourist Information Centre, with proceeds going to the Courtyard.