Today, Mrs Botting attended the funeral for Ailsa at Woking Crematorium and was delighted to see such a big congregation there to celebrate Miss Moore’s life, including some old Greenfieldians and teaching staff.

Ailsa Moore took over Headship at Greenfield School in 1982, when Miss Ruth Hicks decided to take a step back from the role, and she continued as Headmistress for more than 6 years. In 1989, following the deaths of both Miss Hicks (in 1986) and Miss Pearce (in 1985), Miss Moore left Greenfield School to become director of the Ockenden Venture.

Ockenden Venture

Ailsa already had long-established connections with the Ockenden Venture through her friendship with Joyce Pearce, who was responsible for encouraging Ailsa to take on the Headship at Greenfield when Miss Hicks needed to step away. Miss Pearce had been the spearhead behind Ockenden and so Ailsa had big shoes to fill, but her passion for helping those in need and her strong relationship with Joyce meant that she was the obvious successor.

Even long after the Ockenden Venture had ceased to operate as it once did, Ailsa continued her work supporting refugees and those affected by war. In 2005, she was instrumental to the installation of the sculpture “Protecting the Child”, which stands in Woking Park today and serves as a dedication to all the work of Joyce Pearce and the Ockenden Venture.

Woking's Eminent Citizen of the Year

In 2006, Ailsa was made Woking’s Eminent Citizen of the Year, in recognition of her tireless work as a peace campaigner and her services to the community, awarded to her by the then Mayor of Woking, Ian Johnson.

It was clear to see from the size of the congregation and the readings at the service, that Ailsa Moore was a much loved, much valued friend to all who knew her and her memory will live on, not just at Greenfield, but throughout the Woking community.

In loving memory of Ailsa Moore

4^th June 1930-5^th October 2021  

Donations in Ailsa’s memory can be made in support of Woking and Sam Beare Hospices.