A TEACHER who was one of the first members of staff at the newly-built Skipton Greatwood Primary School, in 1952, has marked her centenary.

Winifred Lowcock, who celebrated her 100 birthday with her family on Thursday, became deputy head of the school in 1974 and retired two years later.

During her time there, she oversaw the education of 1,458 children and her ethos was "nobody left her class without being able to read".

She was born in Bradford and, after being educated at Bradford Girls' Grammar School, went to Birmingham University to study French, English and History

While at school she travelled regularly to Vienne near Lyons in France to meet her pen friend who remained a friend until 1937.

Her first job was in Halesowen and then in 1940 she took up a post at Linton Camp School, near Grassington, which took children evacuated from Bradford. There she met her husband Charles Lowcock and taught at various schools while living at Linton Falls.

On retiring, Winifred, an active member of St Andrew's Church, Skipton, volunteered at the Tourist Information Centre and was chairman of Skipton Townswomen's Guild in the late 70s and again in 2003.

She also attended French and history classes until she was 90.

A highlight of her birthday was receiving a parcel from Birmingham University containing a scarf, a silver picture frame and a hand-written card from the principal congratulating her on becoming 100.