BEAMINSTER School said farewell this week to music teacher Pat Crawford after 30 years.

Miss Crawford came to Dorset in 1965 and worked for eight years at the Sir John Colfox School before taking on the post of director of music at Beaminster.

Head teacher Mike Best said she already had a good reputation for her music and did an excellent job as director of music.

In 1980 in another significant step she became head of sixth form when the combined Beaminster and Colfox sixth form was founded.

Mr Best said: "She was a most dedicated teacher and very competent musician. She has the gift of infinite patience and the skill to teach children of all ages and abilities.

"She's made a lasting impression on generations of students in the school."

Miss Crawford is a former Cambridge choral scholar and works for the one of the leading music clubs in the country She will continue with her 'Saturday job' with the West Dorset Music Centre.

In recognition of all her achievements the governors, parents, staff and students contributed a significant amount to send Miss Crawford on what she calls the trip of a lifetime to visit a music festival abroad, possibly in Vienna.

Mr Best added: "It is not often you can genuinely congratulate somebody for all they've done over 30 years but in Miss Crawford's case you can. She is just a significant person. She has our thanks and admiration for all she has done."