I WAS saddened to learn in last week’s Ilkley Gazette of the death of Miss Mary Weatherall, an influential part of the lives of so many local young people, whether or not they appreciated it.

Yes – she did teach at Ilkley Grammar School but prior to that she was Senior Mistress/English teacher at Ilkley Secondary School. That’s where she came into my life (1956-1962). She seemed formidable – I quaked for her response to my arriving in class having had a dismal attempt to change my boring brown hair to a more exciting auburn!

However, in 1959 she was an important part of a major local initiative to give a small group of 11+ “failures” an opportunity to prove they were still worth something. A limited group of 14/15 year olds for two-years studied GCE ‘O’ level subjects as an alternative to the world of work, technical college or joining a lower grade at Ilkley Grammar School. I shall be forever grateful for her encouragement and remember fondly some very frank discussions about tastes in literature.

On her retirement Miss Weatherall (I never could have called her anything less formal!) and her little dog were a common sight around Addingham and Ilkley. She always had time to stop for a chat, remembering the names of so many former pupils and always interested to hear about their careers and families.

Margo Atkinson

Ilkley