Tree 11

 

College's special centenary celebrations

 

 

 

 

 

Generation gap . . . A former Linthwaite woman, thought to be the second oldest in the country, has taken part in spe­cial celebrations at Harrogate Ladies College.

 

For Mrs Jessie Dixon, who will be 107 on May 20 Is the col­lege's oldest former pupil.

 

She is pictured with two of the college's youngest pupils Claire Butterfield, 10, and Isa­belle Reah, 11, who presented a special cake to her.

 

The college launched a search to find its oldest former pupil as part of it centenary celebra­tions. And the search turned up Mrs Dixon who left the school in 1900.

 

She now lives at the Queen's Lodge Nursing Home in Har­rogate, just half-a-mile from the school.

 

"I loved my boarding school days at the college although I was a little homesick at first. I used to sing in concerts and I was very happy," she said.

 

Mrs Dixon's father Thomas Mallinson, was a partner in the woollen manufacturing busi­ness of George Mallinson and Sons Ltd in Linthwaite, which was founded by his father.

 

Mrs Dixon was born at Rock House and as a girl, she attended Linthwaite Methodist Church.