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.”
Man arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs in Skipton
£20m regeneration programme launched for Keighley
Skipton Three Peaks challenge raises £8,000 for dementia charity
Keighley shops can keep selling alcohol despite licences being revoked
Police search for Keighley man following Skipton burglary
Beer and Gin Festival returning to Glusburn this weekend
North Yorkshire hospices warn of cuts and closures as funding crisis deepens
Silsden care home launches appeal for handmade clothes protectors
Keighley named best town in Yorkshire for second year running
Long-running Skipton craft shop to close as owners retire
Airedale Seniors Collective celebrates successful Silsden gathering
Skipton fish and chip shop sponsors junior football team
64 arrests made in North Yorkshire Police's biggest ever operation
Skipton BID celebrates Silver Gilt success at Yorkshire in Bloom Awards
Skipton BID rejects claims town is struggling
Sugden End tip reopening approved after £400,000 funding row
Over 500 Afghans resettled in North Yorkshire as 23 households await new homes
Craven College students join campaign to reopen Skipton-Colne railway
Cyclist dies following collision on A59 near Skipton
Terminal illness council tax exemption could cost North Yorkshire £2.2m a year
