TRIBUTE has been paid to a former headteacher and stalwart of Keighley Soroptimists who has died aged 82.

Moira Hutchison began her teaching career in Glasgow and moved to this area with her late husband George and young family in the 1960s.

She taught modern languages at the former Swire Smith School in Keighley and after seven years moved on to Hartington Middle School, where she became headteacher.

During her time at the helm at Hartington, Mrs Hutchison oversaw the school's move from Keighley to a new building in Haworth in the early 1980s.

She took early retirement in 1986.

Mrs Hutchison was a member of Keighley Soroptimists for over three decades, joining in 1983, and was a former president.

This week tribute was paid by Jean Gee, the group's immediate past president.

"Moira was someone who 'made a difference' through everything she did – both within the club and her many connections and interests in the town," she said.

"She was a respected and much loved person all over Yorkshire. She had a fantastic family which she cherished, and was proud of them all.

"Her enthusiasm was present in everything she did for the club. She set-up the Aire Valley Contact Centre with Bingley Soroptimists and helped to build this valuable intervention for children and estranged family members. This service was invaluable to our British courts and now similar centres are all over the country.

"She also assisted with Keighley's Talking Newspaper scheme for the partially sighted and blind.

"Her love of the international aspect was present, especially as our friendship link co-ordinator, and she organised charter dinners.

"Her faith was strong and she supported Silsden Methodist Church over many years, and was always willing to visit the elderly and sick when the need arose.

"Moira was a remarkable woman who will be missed but never forgotten."

Mrs Hutchison was also a member for many years of Cross Hills and District Ladies Circle, later Tangent, and was founder and former chairman of Keighley Retired Teachers Association.

And she was three-times president of Keighley and District Caledonian Society.

Mrs Hutchison leaves three children – Pam, Jen and Peter – and six grandchildren.