Ethel's farewell after 40 years

The sprightly pensioner from Aldridge has run sessions since the late 1960s in a hobby that has seen her travel the length and breadth of the country.

A dental health lecturer and nurse who began work at Burntwood Military Hospital, Ethel first began teaching yoga at health centres during her career.

She stumbled upon its benefits after walking into a lecture while on a training course and went on to train with the All India Board of Yoga.

At conferences held by the Dental Nurses Association, of which she was president, she was renowned for organising sessions in the early hours of the morning to help delegates relax after seminars and late night dinner events.

A decade ago she took up the ancient Chinese exercise tai chi and has run a combined class ever since.

As well as running classes around Aldridge and Walsall, the pensioner gives talks and demonstrations at fairs and other events – which she intends to carry on doing.

Fascinating photographs show her limbering up in leotards in her 40s to teaching a class in Shire Oak in the 1970s.

Others show her getting into positions many people a quarter of her age would struggle to make.

Mrs Lote said she had loved every minute of her hobby but that wanted to concentrate on her other passion – writing.

And she said she'd made some fabulous friends over the decades.

"Some people in my class have been with me for 40 years," she said.

"I was a nurse during the war and I have a lot to tell. I'm retiring so that I can concentrate on my writing. I enjoy writing true stories about my life." The sprightly pensioner who is known for her sense of fun is also a tireless ambassador for the borough.

Among her anecdotes which she shared while giving talks to organisations is that her grandparents knew Walsall's nursing heroine Sister Dora.

"They were Methodists and knew Sister Dora through church. I once gave a talk at the Grand Hotel, in Birmingham, about this in 1981 and as a result the people wanted to come and visit Walsall. I booked them a trip to come and visit here."

These days she is renowned for tai chi demonstrations, which were among the attractions at the annual Aldridge Fair. While president of the Dental Nurses Association she was given an award for her services by broadcaster Gloria Hunniford after being nominated by her colleagues.

Her late husband Albert, a former chief ambulance officer, died six years ago, aged 89.

Mrs Lote has two sons, Christopher and Derek, and two grandchildren, Hazel and Nicholas, both in their 20s. She was treated to a retirement party by her friends and pupils.

The class will continue to be held on Thursdays at Aldridge Community Centre, Middlemore Lane from 10.30 to 11.30am and will be led by her friend and colleague for 30 years Dave Fisher, of Streetly.

Mrs Lote said she had no intention of giving up her own daily exercises. "I always do yoga every morning and I will carry on," she said. "I have done it nearly every day for 50 year and it keeps you fit.

"Yoga and tai chi are good for the body, they really do keep you going."