Heartfelt tributes have been paid to Miss Hilda Fielding MBE, an inspirational former headteacher who devoted her life to helping others.

An Ashtonian born and bred, Hilda, who died on February 15, aged 93, was well known and respected for the endless hours she spent as a volunteer with numerous community organisa- tions and charities in her home town.

Educated at Hurst Infants and Jun- iors and Ashton Grammar School, she qualified as a teacher and took charge of the reception class at Waterloo Primary in 1952. When the new Waterloo Infants School on Taunton Road opened in 1961, she was appointed headmistress and remained for 24 years until her retirement in July 1985.

Many of her former pupils have posted tributes on Waterloo News and other local Facebook groups.

“Fondest memories of Miss Fielding... a wonderful compassionate lady... my first teacher, RIP lovely lady... one of the best, her name will be written in the stars,” are just a few.

Away from the classroom, Hilda was a trustee of the local Mencap Society for many years. She founded the Ashton and District Gateway Club in 1962 and worked tirelessly to raise funds to run a weekly social club which included countless camping trips, outdoor adventures, and holidays to Ribby Hall.

Her niece Liza Parry said: “Not only did she work to support the members, she also spent innumerable hours over the years giving love and care to their parents including providing a free ‘taxi service’ for hospital appointments, doing shopping etc. She remained actively involved in the running of the club until she was in her late 80s.”

Hilda, who lived on Henrietta Street, Ashton, for most of her adult life was a long-serving member of the board of governors at Oakdale School, Dukinfield, which specialises in supporting children with severe and complex needs.

Among her many other roles, she was an active member of Albion Church and a Sunday School teacher for years. She served as a director of Tameside Volunteer Centre, Tameside.

Welfare Rights and was a member of the Tameside Hospital Ethics Committee. Hilda was thrilled to receive an MBE from the Queen in 2006 and the Rotary Club’s highest and most prestigious Paul Harris Award for her dedication to service and outstanding contribution to the community.

Derek Southall, author of Voices of Ashton-under-Lyne, published in 2000, invited Hilda as one of only 30 people to contribute and share her memories of growing up in Ashton and living through the war years.

Liza added: “Our family have been so touched by the postings we’ve read on social media. Hilda was obviously so well thought of.

“For me she was just my lovely aunt who taught me from a young age and throughout my life, through her exam- ple, so much about values, inclusion and the importance of volunteering and charitable work.

“I feel so grateful that I had such a wonderful role model to look up to.”

Hilda leaves a sister Enid and seven nieces and nephews.

Her funeral service will be held at Albion Church, Stamford Street, Ashton at 2pm on Wednesday, March 9, followed by committal at Dukinfield Crematorium. Donations in lieu of flowers will go to the Royal Mencap Society.

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