OLD GIRLS

Belatedly the Old Girls' Association sends many congratulations to her.  Ann's daughter, Julie Wilcher, sent in these stunning photographs to illustrate her mother's life along with a potted biography.   The photographs not only tell the story of Ann's life but also are a wonderful reflection of the changing fashions and social mores.

Ann was born on 29th December 1908 as Vera Annie Gough.  Between 12 to 18 months, she was dangerously ill with double pneumonia and whooping cough.  Seven doctors said 'leave her alone to die'.  She was wrapped in cotton wool and given the kiss of life by her father.

Thankfully she confounded them all, though when she was 5 she was ill again with mumps and had her photo taken.  By the age of 6, she was knitting scarves for sailors serving in the Great War of 1914 to 1918.  Fancy dressing was clearly a great favourite with her and she is also pictured before she had her hair fashionably bobbed.

She was at a Dames' school for 7 years and had a private tutor from the age of 11 to 15 years.  She then went to Malvern Girls' College where she did a secretarial course in her final year.  Her older sister Hilda had already left Malvern Girls' College.  In the House photo of The Mount, Ann is in the third row back, third from the right.

From the late 1920s until the early 30s was having a 'good time' (mild by today's standards, she says!).  Here she is as a bridesmaid.  

She later joined Felt and Tarrant (US firm) and trained as acomptometer operator (the forerunner of modern computers). She became PA to the branch manager which involved demonstrating the machine all over South Wales and the West of England. In the Welsh Valleys, she saw real poverty for the first time.

In 1936 she married Jim Westmacott, her son was born in July 1937 and her daughter Julie was born in January 1944.  Julie is also an Old Girl of Malvern Girls' College.

 

 

They moved to Leeds in 1949, due to her husband's job - and she had thought Birmingham was the frozen north!  However she settled well in Leeds, became known as Ann and made lots of friends.  For 32 years she worked in the Mind Charity shop doing their accounts, retiring aged 92.

Ann has celebrated her 100th birthday with a family dinner and various drinks parties!!  Here she is with her family and three of her eight grandchildren.

With her youngest grandchild and youngest great-grandchild	With three of her eight grandchildren
Planting a celebratory tree	Four Generations: Ann with daughter Julie (who sent in all this wonderful information), Josie and the only great granddaughter of 8 great grandchildren