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.