Vin Kay had great charisma with the boys. Dick Newman was the best organised bloke and Charlie Inniss never stopped working. I decided early on that if I could add these attributes to what I had I would not go far wrong in the profession. I still continue following their edicts 30 odd years later. I loved old Austin Day as a Headmaster, I bought a mini with a number plate 43 DAY and he was thrilled with that! I can't remember the name of the idiot who succeeded him but on Austin's advice I left Elmbridge and moved back to Leicester - a great move. I walked into a new staffroom looked at a beautiful PE mistress and we have just celebrated our Pearl Wedding Anniversary in Thailand on holiday with our two daughters - both of whom are stunning. I obviously got something right during my life.
Just before I left Elmbridge I ruptured my cruciate ligaments. In 1972 there was no operation to repair this and this really finished my chances of a real career in top class Rugby - though I did play some matches for Leicester. I eventually coached the Tigers from 1979 - 1986. Great times - players like Dusty Hare, Les Cusworth, Pete Wheeler, Paul Dodge, Rory Underwood, Dean Richards and Sir Clive! This was a great time in my life - just before the professional era or I might not have been in teaching for so long. However I moved to Dorset in 1986 for promotion turning my back on first class Rugby. I coached the County side for a number of years but now enjoy knocking a golf ball about, occasionally with some success.
Charles Inniss taught me that there is so much more to fishing than just putting a line on the water. We have been great friends for the last 39 years. With his help I have caught loads of sea trout and thankfully eventually a number of salmon on the River Torridge. I hope to continue to do more of this in retirement. Charlie remains very fit and plays golf really well and cricket rather slowly these days. He is a smashing bloke.
I became a half decent cricketer because of my time at Elmbridge, coaching good quality cricket helped my own game. I often wonder what Peter Snelling did with his talent as a slow left arm bowler, and I followed Stephen George Plumb's career throughout his Minor Counties exploits, but there were so many more with great talent.
Just before Christmas 2004 my daughter Laura - working at Sandown Park was ill and taken into Guildford Hospital. My wife I myself visited her and found time to have lunch at the White Horse at Hascombe and then turn into Elmbridge. I was amazed to see the old Cricket pavilion at the bottom of the field - now a meadow! Dick Newman and myself built that in ' 70 or ' 71 - and it still stands! It was great to turn the clock back for a couple of days.
I have very fond memories of Elmbridge, but life moves on. I am far to busy to live in the past I am afraid. I am really enjoying living for the minute and planning the future. Nelda my wife remains as beautiful as ever and is taking early retirement in the Summer so we can continue our world wide golfing exploits. Claire our eldest is an amazingly talented dance teacher (God knows where she gets this from). Her husband Richard is a professional golfer - again with great talent. Laura now lives and works in Dubai for the ICC. The Oakes family it seems does not go in for boring life styles - thank goodness and I hope and pray this continues.
Finally gentlemen, again enjoy your evening. Remember your time in the Surrey countryside and continue using the qualities that we all gained from our experiences at Elmbridge and continue to move forward through your lives.
All the very best,
Rod Oakes
26 April 2006