Suffolk early years teacher 'honoured, but shocked' at BEM

Enid Bacon, more commonly known as 'Topsy', will be presented with the BEM in recognition of her services to early years education.

In 1974, she and a group of friends set up the Beck Row Pre-School to teach children in the village from the age of three up to primary school age and she has been involved with the school ever since.

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Topsy, who has lived in the village for 58 years, believed that she would have taught hundreds of children during that time.

Many of the pupils she taught have now become parents themselves and are sending their own children to the school.

Explaining why the school was started, she said there were not many pre-school facilities in the area around the village at the time so the group of friends decided to set up one of their own at the village hall.

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Topsy Bacon, middle row, right, with colleagues at Beck Row Pre-School (Image: Submitted)

Since then, the pre-school has moved into the grounds of Beck Row Primary Academy in The Street, where it occupies a mobile building.

And such is the popularity of the pre-school that there is currently a waiting list for places among the 42 pupils that the school can take.

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Topsy, 79, who grew up in neighbouring West Row, said changes introduced by the Government to fund more childcare meant the school had to cap numbers at 42.

Of the BEM, she said: "I am very honoured, but I am also shocked and humbled by it all. I am one of those people who don't like a fuss made of me and I like it to be more about other people."

She has received congratulations messages from the families of pupils she has taught, some living as far away as Australia.

Of the satisfaction she gets from her role, she added: "I just love the children. I have met so many lovely families as well."

READ MORE: Suffolk news