Anne Langton
At 83 years old, Anne Langton continues her lifetime of considerable and varied learning by taking part in courses with the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA), numerous U3A events and frequent trips to the theatre. She is also an active member of the WEA’s Petersfield Branch Committee.
Anne’s childhood was spent moving around a lot as her father was an army officer. In 1943, aged 18, she joined the Wrens and was sent to the secret code - breaking base at Bletchley Park where she worked as a Colossus operator, doing her part in keeping the country safe.
While married, Anne helped run the family business and, with her husband, maintained 68 acres of woodland, kept horses and was a keen gardener.
Despite her limited mobility – she has suffered a broken thigh and has had both knees replaced – over recent years Anne has studied English literature, a 20- week course on the operas of Verdi and a 10-week astronomy course. She also attends painting, music appreciation, play-reading and book groups. She says, “I did not get the chance to go to university and when I retired I had the time and wish to study more.”
Anne was widowed in 1998 and says, “Living alone I should have turned into a vegetable without the stimulus and chance to join these classes. I have not achieved any qualifications but the enjoyment of studying with others has given me great benefits and made me more confident.”
Her nominator, Sheila Dainton, said, “Were it not for people like Anne, the local WEA branch would struggle to survive. The most remarkable thing about Anne’s learning achievements is her unbridled enthusiasm for all forms of learning, her utter humility and quiet tenacity.”