Former colleagues met up this week at Skipton’s Ermysted’s Grammar School to celebrate the 100th birthday of Eileen Gracie.
Mrs Gracie worked at the school from 1969 to 1991 where she was the headmaster’s secretary and school secretary.
After receiving a telegram from the King and Queen and celebrating her birthday with a family party, she was invited back to her old workplace for an afternoon of reminiscing - as well as a cuppa and a slice of cake.
She was joined by a handful of former colleagues, ex-pupils and representatives of the school, with those in attendance clocking up an impressive 250 years’ combined employment at Ermysted’s between them.
Among the attendees were Dave Kelly and Andy Sellers - who both taught at the school for more than 30 years - as well as current Assistant Headteacher Stephen Speak, who worked with Eileen during the early part of his career and has just started his 37th year at Ermysted’s.
Mrs Gracie visited her old office where she spent a large part of her time at Ermysted’s and was also taken on a short tour to see some familiar areas of the school site.
Ermysted’s headteacher Michael Evans said:
“We were honoured to welcome Mrs Gracie back to Ermysted’s for a tea party to celebrate her 100th birthday.
“She shared stories from her time here and reminded us all of the enduring spirit of our school community.”
Stuart Clarkson from Ermysted’s Old Boys’ Society, who organised the tea party, added:
“It was a really uplifting afternoon celebrating a remarkable lady, and I was delighted when she declared that it had been her ‘best birthday ever’ - after all, she’s had a lot of them over the years!
“We were delighted to welcome back several of Eileen’s former colleagues too. Many individuals have dedicated a large part of their lives to our school throughout its long history and it is always a pleasure to chat to them about their time at Ermysted’s.”
On seeing the photograph of former staff gathered in the school library on social media, one former pupil commented: “Photo of the year - brilliant! And tremendous to see so many fond and happy memories of my time at Ermysted’s looking so well.”
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