Congratulations to Mrs Lena Purdy BEM on celebrating her 100th birthday on 1st August 2001. Mrs Purdy came to Crossgar in August 1923 to start her teaching career in the local primary school. She will always be remembered as being one of the founder members and the first President of the Crossgar Institute which was formed in 1948. She continued as President until 1954 and worked tirelessly to promote the organisation and recruit new members forging the solid foundation on which the Institute is now based.  Mrs Purdy was a valuable member of both the Institute and the community at large where she was well respected and her contribution to village life much appreciated.

Given Mrs Purdy’s lead the Institute has gone from strength to strength and has flourished during the intervening years with a current membership of around 65. Mrs Purdy is currently living in Newcastle and is still a member of the Woman’s Institute enjoying honorary membership of the Newcastle Institute. All of her colleagues in the Institute would like to wish her continued health and happiness and extend their thanks for the legacy she left them.

CROSSGAR WI's 40th ANNIVERSARY IN 1988 L-R: Mrs Lily Gabbie, Mrs Isobel Crea, Mrs Rhona Niblock and Mrs Lena Purdy

Top of Page

Last modified 02/10/2008 23:43