A thanksgiving service for the life of Clarice Howorth (formerly Garnett) was held in the Holy Trinity C of E Church, Rathmell.

Clarice was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church and a member of the Society of Friends - but neither Rathmell Chapel nor the Meeting House in Settle would have been big enough for the congregation that gathered for the service.

Instead permission was given for it to be held in Holy Trinity Church and people came from far and wide and from all strands of Clarice’s life.

The largest group comprised former pupils of Wesley Girls High School in Ghana where Clarice was a former headteacher. Many wore traditional Ghananian dress made in the school cloth and bearing the mottos of the school. They had travelled by coach, train, car or plane from London, Ghana and the USA.

The Rev Stephen Normanton conducted the service, which concluded with the school song.

As the service in Rathmell took place, a similar service was held in Ghana attended by more than 500 people. Clarice was remembered for her service to the school and to Ghana.

A collection was taken for Settle Age UK North Craven and the Clarice Garnett Outreach Service in Ghana and £500 was donated by all the Ghanaian ex-pupils who could not make the journey to Rathmell.