An ‘Oriental’ Celebration

A long-standing and vibrant member of the College staff has celebrated her 90^th birthday this year.

Georgie Farrell from Chislehurst has worked at the Adult Education College Bexley for over 16 years.  It was by chance that she was asked to ‘fill in’ playing piano for a dance class at the College and 16 years later she still plays every Wednesday for the ‘Keep Fit for the Over 40’s’ class.

Originally Georgie worked in the Dorchester Hotel as an administrative typist until her retirement, although music has always been a large part of her life and she has regularly played as an accompanist for dance or keep fit classes.

Georgie’s surprise birthday celebration, organised by her son, was a trip on the Orient Express. Unaware of her ultimate destination she flew to Venice to board the famous train back to Victoria. She said ‘it was a tremendous adventure and a lovely surprise’.

Whilst on the Orient Express a Japanese film crew heard of the surprise birthday trip and asked if they could film Georgie.  She then got the chance to sit and play a few chords with the pianist in the piano bar, a rare privilege she was justifiably proud of.

 Tutor, Iris Foote who has worked with Georgie for the last 14 years said ‘she is such a dear person and plays so well, it is lovely to be able to have live music in class and she is a real asset to the College’.