Ipswich former schoolteacher turns 105 years young today

When Sheila Piper was born, on October 21, 1919, George V was on the throne and women had only been able to vote in general elections for one year.

Now, more than a century on, Miss Piper has seen the reigns of five monarchs and the terms of 23 prime ministers.

Born in Diss in Norfolk, Miss Piper arrived in our county at age 11. Her family settled in Sproughton, and Miss Piper would cycle each morning to school in Bramford.

When the Second World War broke out in 1939, Miss Piper was 20 and working in an office, which she found dispiritingly dull.

She was called to serve in the war effort when she was around 21.

“I was raring to go!” laughed Miss Piper.

Miss Piper was called to serve in the war effort when she was around 21. (Image: Family of Sheila Piper) Miss Piper enjoys a tipple on her 100th birthday in 2019. (Image: Family of Sheila Piper) During the war, she drove an ambulance.

She trained in Edinburgh and first worked in Yorkshire and then Wales, where she soon picked up a smattering of Welsh.

She also speaks German, Italian and French.

Miss Piper certainly had her share of adventures during the war, at one point driving a German prisoner of war and delivering messages to an Italian camp.

“They used to say, ‘È la bella ragazza inglese’” Miss Piper remembered. “Here comes the beautiful English girl.”

She also met Mary Churchill, daughter of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who she described as “very nice”.

When the war ended, Miss Piper returned to her office job for a short while, but once again found herself hankering for more of a challenge.

She trained as a teacher in Norwich, and found her first teaching post at a school in Whitehouse.

She later moved to Ely House school, then Castle Hill, and finally Sidegate, where she remained until she retired.

Miss Piper generally taught the infants, occasionally the juniors when required.

“I liked the children, I always got on with them,” she remembered.

Indeed, she still treasures notes given to her by her pupils.

“Dear Miss Piper,” one note reads, “I will miss you very much when I go into the top infants. Love from Alison”.

Another dated July 15, 1977, from a student at Sidegate reads “Dear Miss Piper, This is a little present to say thank you for a very happy year I have spent in your class. Love Paul”.

Sheila pictured sitting at the piano, which she still likes to play, with her niece Jacqueline to her left, and her great friend and neighbour Julia to her right. (Image: Newsquest) Sheila and Jacqueline pictured together several years ago. (Image: Family of Sheila Piper) Sheila and Julia pictured together at Christmas. (Image: Family of Sheila Piper) Sheila Piper proudly holding her 100th birthday card form the late Queen, with her birthday card from King Charles III and Queen Camila beside her. (Image: Newsquest)

• Read more: Tattingstone's Joan Kersey turns 109

A self-confessed free spirit, Miss Piper spent her long school holidays travelling.

Trying to count up the number of countries she has visited is difficult task, laughed her niece Jacqueline Ward and close friends, Wendy and Julia. However, they are sure it is at least 20, and quite possibly closer to 30.

To name just a few countries, Sheila has visited Russia, Tibet, Denmark, Egypt, Jordan, Austria, Italy, Spain, Hungary.

“I’ve swum in the sea at Galilee!” said Miss Piper.

If she could, she said she would still be jetting around the world, for she loves meeting new people and experiencing other cultures.

Miss Piper still lives in her home in Woodbridge Road, and cooks for herself too, indulging in the occasional fry up.

She recently had a battery installed in her pacemaker, and was told she is the oldest person to Ipswich Hospital to have had such a procedure.

Is there a secret to a long and happy life, we ask?

She stated: “Plenty of fresh air, wholesome food, and be as cheerful as you can!”

Were you taught by Sheila Piper? Think you might be Alison or Paul? Email abygail.fossett@newsquest.co.uk to be put in touch