90th birthday celebration of HADC founder, Helen Arkell
A hot summer afternoon at The Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre in Frensham was the perfect setting for the 90th birthday of its founder Helen Arkell.
Many personal friends, family and professional colleagues and well-wishers from Helen’s rich and eventful life gathered in the sunshine to chat, look at old photographs and watch a presentation that gave a snapshot view of what the Centre has blossomed into as it meets the challenges of the 21st century before they took afternoon tea in a marquee on the lawn at the Centre.
The guests enjoyed a delicious traditional English tea and speeches from the current Chairman of the Trustees Richard Leighton, the Deputy Chairman Patience Thomson and the Principal Bernadette McLean. Tributes were paid by Elaine Miles from Bangor University, wife of the late Tim Miles, Gail Goedkoop former Director of the The Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre and from the well known actress Susan Hampshire. Helen Arkell responded with thanks to all who had organised the party for her and the afternoon concluded with the cutting of a splendid birthday cake designed and made by Kate Bristow and a champagne toast. Guests included Lord Renwick and Professor John Stein.
