I just found out tonight that one of my old English teachers (Miss Anne Neilson) from secondary school sadly passed away on the 2nd of this month. Born 5. 7. 1944, she'd have been 75 this July, which means that when I started secondary as a callow 11 year old, she'd not long turned 26. Funny how, when we're young, anyone over the age of 20 seems much older, especially when they're in a position of authority.
I never knew her well, and I doubt she'd have remembered me within five minutes of my having left school at the conclusion of my academic 'career', but somehow I find myself (selfishly) saddened by the fact that another 'part' of my youth has now gone forever. I think I saw her again no more than a couple of times after leaving, shopping in my local town centre, but it was from a distance and no greetings were exchanged. And I recall attending a summer fayre (jumble sale) in the school hall around 1976 or '77, and no doubt she'd have been there as well.
She was a folk singer as well as a teacher, so here's a YouTube clip of her performing. Anyway, here's to Miss Neilson - may she rest in peace and be fondly remembered by family, friends, and former pupils.
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