Kentish Express Ashford & District
Centenarian was born into a world at war
A former Ashford headmistress has celebrated her 100th birthday.
Phyllis Chapman taught pupils at Willesborough Infant School, in Church Road, between 1950 and 1954.
After a six-year stint at a school in Stowting, near Ashford, she then returned to the school in 1960 to take the position as head teacher.
Miss Chapman, who lived in Magazine Road for 36 years, retired from the school in 1976 aged 62.
Her nephew John Grindey said: “She had a good life in Ashford.
“Doubtless many of your older readers will remember her.
“She is quite a character. She is in good health and her memory and brain are remarkably sharp.”
Miss Chapman was born in London on August 29, 1914, the same month the First World War broke out.
Mr Grindey added: “Phyllis was born during the month the Great War broke out and can remember at three years old rushing out with her mother to join the queues at the local Crouch End shops when word spread round that a new supply of food had arrived, and at four years old asking her mother why they no longer had to queue to be told ‘the war is over’.” Miss Champan attended the North London Collegiate School for girls between 1925 to 1932, before studying for her teacher training at Froebel Educational Institute, in Roehampton, now Froebel College.
During her early teaching years she taught at schools across the country, including in Dorset, Bognor Regis, Cornwall, Birmingham and the Midlands, before moving to Ashford in 1950.
After retiring from Willesborough Infant School, Miss Chapman joined the Save the Children branch in the town, where she was a member for a decade helping raise thousands for the charity.
When she was 80, she decided to move to Cheshire to be close to family.
Miss Chapmanhas always enjoyed travelling and is a keen gardener.
On her birthday, she received a telegram from the Queen. She then spent the weekend with friends and family.