Songs of Praise treat marks Dorothy’s 90th

CHOIR surprise . . . Dorothy, with Dr Eileen Bentley, centre, and the choir

Caring members of a parish church choir gave a former chorister her very own “Songs of Praise” to mark her 90th birthday.

Dorothy Schofield was taken by surprise when the choir of St Chad’s Church, Uppermill turned up on her doorstep in full choral outfits to sing her favourite hymns.

And Dorothy, who lives in an apartment in Uppermill, said: “It was a wonderful gesture — I had no idea.” The surprise was organised by Dr Eileen Bentley, the choir’s leader, immediately after Sunday service at St Chad’s.

Dr Bentley, former director of music for Oldham, said: “Dorothy was a valued member of the church choir with a fine alto voice. We were delighted to sing personally for her. Her face was an absolute picture.”

The choir — with the youngest member aged 11 and eldest 89 — sang three of her favourite hymns, “Take My Life” ”Jesu thou joy of Loving Heart” and “Angels Voices”, followed “Happy Birthday”, a round of applause and three rousing cheers.

Dorothy, who was born in Diggle and attended the village school, completed seven years of grammar school education in Oldham before joining a teacher-training college in Bingley. She took her first teaching post in Stockport before returning to her old village school in Diggle as a teacher. Dorothy then moved to Saddleworth School where she became senior mistress and later deputy head, a post she held until her retirement.

During her teaching career, she visited Vancouver for a year on a teacher exchange scheme and returned via Greyhound bus to Mexico City, flew to Panama, and boarded a cruise liner to England via Santander in Spain.

She later she took parties of senior pupils on educational cruises from Liverpool to Santander. Although she suffers from arthritis, Dorothy still takes a lively interest in current affairs, books and good company.