SPOTLIGHT – GRAHAM KITLEY
The spotlight turns to our hard-working, dedicated and 80’s music devotee, Grounds Manager – Graham Kitley.
Graham has been Warminster’s Grounds Manager for almost four years and is responsible for our 60-acre estate. He began his career as Head Gardener and has now taken the School grounds to the next level with pitch improvements and overseeing various new facilities, including new outdoor cricket nets. Graham has always lived in the Warminster area and settled in the village of Heytesbury with his girlfriend Becky and two cocker spaniels, Maisie and Pepsi. Football and cricket are a massive part of his life and he represents the county and his home town at football. Family and friends are very important and being outdoors doing the job he loves, is the icing on the cake for our dedicated Grounds Manager.
How long have you worked at Warminster?
14 years.
What’s the best thing about your role?
Being outside, the variety of work and of course the sunshine. I also really can't praise the Grounds Team enough. They particularly pull it out of the bag in the Summer term what with Speech Day, two Open Days and not to mention all the sports and tournaments that Gay Butterworth organises. By the end of the year, we are happy, but ready for a rest.
Describe a typical day?
No day is the same, weather and fixtures dictate what we do, but all the usual stuff, weeding, hedge cutting, planting, line marking and mowing. Just generally trying to keep the School looking great and in great shape.
What do you think makes Warminster a special place to live and learn?
Family connections and the friendly atmosphere.
What would surprise us about you?
I’m not sure, I think I am just a normal guy who enjoys life, sports and my family. A simple man with simple pleasures! My guilty pleasure might surprise a few…
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
Professional footballer. It’s what every young sportsman wants to be.
What did your school reports say?
Pay more attention in class. I was never one for being kept inside.
Your note/advice to teenage self?
Try harder and listen to your parents. They are usually right.
Biggest bugbear?
Untidy people.
Favourite band/group or artist?
Anything goes really, you would laugh at my iTunes library. Being an 80's baby I don't mind Simply Red, Fleetwood Mac and Phil Collins. But still like all the current tunes and when mowing around School I love a bit of ‘Kisstory’ on the radio.
Guilty pleasure?
A spa day.
If you were on Masterchef what would your signature dish be?
Toad in the hole.
Last book you read?
Gary Neville – Red.
Last movie watched?
Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Favourite tipple?
Lager.
Favorite place/city in the world and why?
Heytesbury – it’s where I live, where the family is from and it has two great pubs.
Twitter or Facebook?
Twitter, tweet tweet! Follow @warminsterGrou