A family dynasty living and working at the School
44 years after Graham Sykes arrived at Charterhouse as a small boy with his family, he is now planning to retire after many years as Head Gardener.
Graham grew up living, playing and working at the School and reminisces of his childhood saying: ‘Charterhouse was a wonderful place to grow up, with fields for playing games and the woods behind ‘Prom’ (old tennis courts) for making camps. Not many children get to play on Under Green as if it were their own back garden!’
The Sykes family arrived at the School in 1974 when Graham’s father Michael was appointed Head Gardener. A few years later they moved into North Lodge. Gloria, Graham’s mum, also worked at the School, originally as a cleaner in the ‘new’ Lockites, and latterly as a Clerk in Maintenance department for the following 20 years.
Needless to say, Graham followed suit, working during his school holidays to earn some spending money cleaning floors, cookers and moving the desks and chairs for the Maintenance department. He went on to work for the Grounds department in between taking his exams and then joined the Grounds team on leaving school. He recalls his first job repairing the damage caused by laying a pipeline from Prince’s Avenue to Chapel for the installation of a fire hydrant. Graham says: ‘I quickly realised that my real passion was preparing the cricket wickets. It was a wonderful opportunity for me as the Charterhouse cricket squares were some of the best of any school in the country, just as they are today.’
In 2003, Graham married Nati and started to look for new challenges. Luckily, the new Headmaster at the time, Rev John Witheridge, had a real passion for gardening and Graham was appointed Head Gardener, following in his father’s footsteps. When asked which is his favourite place in the School, there was no hesitation in answering: ‘the gardens in Old Headmaster’s House!’
Graham mowing the lawn in Old Headmaster’s House. He has been using this mower for over 30 years!
Graham has witnessed many historic events at the School over the years: seven Headmasters have come and gone. At five years old he watched his dad salvage plants and trees from the old houses before they were knocked down (the old houses being the predecessors to the ‘new’ Houses), to more recently watching the felling of ‘Oak’. He says: ‘I've been very lucky spending over 40 years at Charterhouse as man and boy, being with my family and working with some great colleagues. I have made many friends simply doing a job I love.’
He is very much looking forward to a new chapter in his life as house husband, supporting his Nati and daughter Hannah. And of course, tending and nurturing his own garden!
Graham isn’t the last of the dynasty as his sister Elaine Downs (Matron in Daviesites) carries on the family tradition!
Graham in the Old Headmaster’s House Garden
