A LONG-retired Wiltshire headteacher is to celebrate her 100th birthday on Sunday with family and friends in the many clubs to which she belongs.

Alice Moody will celebrate the milestone with her daughter Pam, son-in-law Robin, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Alice was in born in Bermondsey in London's East End in 1921 where she lived with her parents, Wally and Lizzie Russell, her two elder brothers and younger sister.

She won a scholarship that supported her through her schooling locally and into teacher training at Avery Hill Teacher Training College from 1939-41. After qualifying, she taught at Stamford Hill Boys School in Hackney from 1941-43.

During the Second World War, Alice was evacuated with children to Hardington Mandeville in Somerset.

It was here she met her future husband Leslie Moody. After their wedding in 1945, they had a daughter Pam and enjoyed a 37-year marriage which only ended when he died in 1982.

Alice continued her teaching career at Christ Church Church of England Primary School in Bradford on Avon from 1946-1947, and at Park Street Primary School and Newtown Junior School in Trowbridge from 1949-1959.

From 1960 she was headteacher of Staverton Primary School until her retirement in 1981.

Crucially, she was an integral driving-force, along with others, in the fight to keep the school open when it was faced with closure back in 1980.

In her retirement, Alice has remained a very active member of her local community. She has volunteered with Holy Trinity Church in Bradford on Avon and has acted as a Preservation Trust, town guide.

She also supported road safety campaigns and the need for safer pedestrian crossing within Bradford-on-Avon.

In addition, she continued to help local children with their reading and visited local primary schools to share her experiences during the evacuation of London in 1939/1940 to escape the German Blitz.

On many occasions, she has written to Prime Ministers and Members of Parliament on social issues, highlighting things that she felt were of concern, on both a local and national level.

Alice is a member of the Holt Women's Institute and the BoA Mother's Union and also regularly attends Holy Trinity Church.

She was also a volunteer at Lackham College of Agriculture and their Millennium Garden.

Unfortunately, in recent years, her eye-sight and hearing has deteriorated, limiting her ability to be more involved in the social aspects of life she clearly enjoys, but she still attends Sight Clubs in Bath and Trowbridge, gaining support for herself and helping others.

Alice now lives in Abbeyfield House in Trowbridge Road, and is looking forward to her many up-and-coming celebrations ahead, hosted by various community groups, friends and family.

Her daughter Pam said: "Alice often thinks and talks about the children she has taught and wonders about their lives and achievements since leaving her care.

"She would dearly love to hear from any past pupils who remember her and share their memories of this special time.

"If you would like to contact Alice’s family or send birthday wishes, please email Pam Apsey at pamapsey@btinternet.com.