Showpeople praise school founder's legacy
BBC/Jonathan SwinglerThe legacy of a woman who helped set up a school for the children of travelling showpeople is being celebrated at what is billed as Europe's largest fun fair.
Valerie Moody, from Middlesbrough, launched her service more than 35 years ago to provide continuity of education for families moving from fair to fair.
Now aged 80, she still returns to the Hoppings event on Newcastle's Town Moor each year where generations credit her work with changing their lives.
Families say the impact of the school, which has about 80 students and is based at the Hancock Museum for the duration of the fair, has been profound, giving their children a safe place to meet friends and continue learning.
Moody started the school to minimise disruption to education for children travelling the country.
Speaking to BBC Look North in 2001, she said many would leave their winter schools at Easter and not return until autumn.
"This provides that contact and continuity of education," she said.
Drawing on her own experience of growing up on the road, she remembered how difficult constant change could be.
"You just found out where the toilet was, and it was time to leave."
Moody no longer teaches at the school but continues to support it and presents its certificates.
Michele Stewart, whose children attended, said: "I've always called Valerie 'Aunty' because she's very special to me.
"She's done a lot for the school."
Former pupil Edward, 17, said: "All my best friends, who are still my friends today, I met at the school.
"When I went back to school afterwards, I didn't have as much to catch up on because it kept me going."
In 2002 Moody was awarded an MBE for her work supporting travelling communities.
She said children who attended the school have gone on to university and college, with some becoming doctors as well as working in trades and manufacturing.