GEORGE Head celebrated his retirement with a visit to Buckingham Palace on February 21 1978 to receive his MBE award from the Queen.

It was a proud moment for George who was then 61. This happened 30 years ago.

Not bad when the doctor and midwife gave him no chance of surviving when he was born.

George had earlier received notification from the Prime Minister that he was to receive an award in the New Year's Honours' List but, of course, he had to keep the news a secret.

On the due date, George and his wife, Freda, travelled to London and they had an amazing time.

He regarded it as a "tremendous honour" to be rewarded in this way for his work as headteacher of Thundercliffe Grange School, near Sheffield. The parents of children who attended the school felt George had "let the light into Thorncliffe." and they knew how much he cared for their children. George was brought up in Cudworth and Royston before moving to Altofts (Wakefield).

He attended Normanton Grammar School, the first step on his progress to higher education and into teaching at several Barnsley schools, including Eldon Street North, Racecommon Road, Littleworth and Carlton junior schools and Edward Sheerien.

Later, he undertook a course in teaching special needs' children and this led to his appointment as head of Thundercliffe Grange School. Built in 1773, it closed as a school in the 1970s and was later converted into flats.

At Eldon Street he was the football team's trainer. It was a very successful team and some of the players went on to became professional players.

After retirement, he became a regular viewer of ITV's Countdown and this eventually led to his appearance on the show and an introduction to the show's hosts, Richard Whiteley and Carol Vorderman.

George's story has recently been published in a book. "George Head MBE" which is a recollection of his many memories over the years.