Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/3240/-1/131/
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SOCIAL LIFE: Teacher Beryl Gets Flowers At 80
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One of Anguilla’s oldest retired teachers, Teacher Beryl Fleming of Long Bay, celebrated her 80th birthday on Sunday, January 22. A reception was held in her honour at the House of Chandeliers at Lower South Hill where a very large number of invited guests from throughout the island gathered to dine and to offer their good wishes to her.
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Teacher Beryl Fleming
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One of her former pupils, Ivy Plank, now a retired teacher herself, gave a comprehensive narrative of the life and work of Teacher Beryl, who was born on January 18, 1926, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Edmond Hodge of Long Bay.
Teacher Beryl began her career in 1940 at the age of 14. Through hard work and commitment, she made it through the challenging Pupil Teacher examinations. She eventually went on to the Leeward Islands Female Teacher Training College in Antigua in 1948 and graduated in December the following year.
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Sections of the invited guests at the Birthday Celebration of Teacher Beryl Fleming
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She taught at West End Elementary School until 1952 following which she was transferred to the Road Elementary School. Upon her marriage in 1954 she was transferred to the East End Elementary School where she remained until her retirement in 1971.Teacher Beryl, who was required to travel much, is believed to be the first Anguillian woman to have driven a vehicle.
The early Anguillian teacher spent some time in England after her retirement. She later travelled to St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, where she taught at the Seventh-day Adventist School until 1991, following which she returned to Long Bay, Anguilla. Teacher Beryl is an ardent second generation Seventh-day Adventist who has held various top posts in the church over the years.
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Sections of the invited guests at the Birthday Celebration of Teacher Beryl Fleming
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There were many tributes paid to her during the birthday reception. Among the speakers were her nephews John Hodge who was the lively chairman of the function and Dr. Sherwin Callwood, a Seventh-day Adventist Pastor in the United States who delivered a short sermon; Pastor Danny Philip, the resident Minister, who blessed the supper; and retired Headmaster at the East End School, Vivienne Vanterpool, who served with the distinguished and well-respected former teacher.