Former village school headmistress celebrates 100th birthday with afternoon tea

Miss Hilda Fort, who was the headmistress of Blacko School, will be marking her milestone birthday by enjoying an afternoon tea with friends and staff at Bannister Court in Nelson where she is a popular resident.

In her younger years, Miss Fort enjoyed walking, originally with the Holiday Fellowship, before joining the CHA, now known as the Pendle Walkers, an association she has enjoyed for more than 50 years.

She retired from teaching at the age of 60 and also enjoyed foreign travel, in particiular crusing.

Miss Fort, who has never been married, has a great nephew who lives in Cumbria. She was also a pianist and organist at Woodlands Methodist Church.