Tributes are paid to flamboyant ex-head

Tributes have been paid to a former Black Country headteacher who has died aged 92.

Maud Shaw taught hundreds of children during her time at the old Rowley Regis Girls' School.

She died on January 20 after a battle with cancer.

Friend Joyce Evans, 76, of Honeybourne Road, Halesowen, said Mrs Shaw grew up in Old Hill, attending the local primary school, before going to Halesowen Grammar School.

Completing her teacher training at Birmingham University she went on to teach at a boys' school.

And at the beginning of the Second World War she was evacuated to the Cotswolds with pupils.

She later went on to teach English at the old Rowley Regis Secondary Modern School in Wright's Lane, and became headteacher at Rowley Regis Girls School in Siviter's Lane before her retirement in 1972, aged 54.

Mrs Evans said: "She was a very strong character, very flamboyant and loved hats. She had a very sharp mind. Her first love was English.

"She was just a character and also loved tapestry, the theatre and reading."

On her retirement Mrs Shaw, whose maiden name was Westwood, married husband Bernard Shaw. However, he died suddenly just six years later, aged 60.

Before her death Mrs Shaw lived in Woodbourne Road, Bearwood.

Mrs Evans added: "She was a much loved woman and had many friends. She will be sadly missed."

Mrs Shaw's funeral will be held tomorrow at St Hilda's Church in Abbey Road, Bearwood, at 1.15pm.