Buj Wretham ‘legendary’ teacher at Strand Junors dies in car crash

Buj Wretham, (1952 – 2026)

Hundreds of former pupils at Strand on the Green Junior School will be saddened to hear of the death of Buj Wretham, a ‘legendary’ teacher at the school from 1995 to 2012.

He died in a car crash on Twickeham Bridge on 16 June. His wife Jenni was in the car with him and has been treated in intensive care along with another woman, the 84 year old driver of the other car.

Ruth Woods, the current head teacher of Strand on the Green Juniors, who worked with him, told parents:

“Buj was universally loved by all who knew him and so I know that for many families of old – and those parents who were here as children – this will come as a heartfelt loss”.

Jonna Raikes, a pupil at Strand from 1993 – 2000, said:

“Mr Wretham was the heartbeat of Strand; known and loved by everyone in the school. If you weren’t in his class, you wanted to be!”

Another student told me they remembered him particularly being involved in leading lots of events at sports days and organising Red Nose Day.

Frank Noon, whose children Buj taught, told us:

“He was such an inspiration to all my kids”.

Frank’s daughter Olivia said:

“Mr Wretham was an ever constant and calming presence at Strand, whether it was teaching us obscure dances in PE or making you smile when you were feeling sad. Sending love and condolences to all his family and friends”.

His son Charlie commented:

“Buj was our form teacher and was mine and loads of other people’s favourite teacher. I was anxious about going on a residential school trip to the point of not going. He knew I’d love it and reassured me so much and even brought my guitar along to it for me. I’m devastated by this news. Such a lovely man”.

He brought fun, not just to the special events, “but to each and every ordinary day” added Ruth.

“He was an inspiration to countless Strandites, first as their class teacher and latterly as PE lead, developing children’s confidence and guiding them to find a sport that they loved.

“Some of those pupils grew up to follow in his footsteps onto the Strand staff, and to them he was a role model and a mentor.

“For the staff who worked with him, Buj was the ultimate team player, always right there at the heart of the ‘dream team’ as he named it back then, always ready to give back to the community he loved. Above all, he was a loyal friend, and we will miss him terribly”.

The school remembers him now with the Buj Wretham Sporting Cup, awarded  each year to pupils who have excelled in sportsmanship.

They have a book of Remembrance at the school reception and his family have set up an email address for people to share memories – memoriesofbuj@gmail.com

Buj’s son Luke told The Chiswick Calendar his father “lived his life joyfully”.

On the day he died he had been awarded Man of the Match for the first time at his walking football team’s match in Gunnersbury Park that morning, havng scored a hat trick.

“He died a really happy man”, Luke told me.