Meet singing mill girl and a brave hero

Former 1940's pin-up girl Doreen Fletcher with David Hustler.

Kirklees councillors met some of their council tennants who have first-hand experience in changing people’s lives.

The council was celebrating its extra care housing schemes, and coun Viv Kendrick spoke to two residents who have had interesting lives.

Former pin-up Doreen Fletcher has lived at Meadow Green Lodge since September 2014. She was crowned Yorkshire Wool Queen, and was the star of ‘The Three Piece Suit’, a film about the industry which was shown at exhibitions across the country.

Doreen was known as the “singing mill girl” and went on to enjoy many years successfully modelling, acting and singing – and was a firm favourite amongst those at home and away in the Armed Forces.

Newspaper: Spenborough Guardian.
Story: Kirklees council's extra housing care scheme.
Pictured: Former 1940's pin-up girl Doreen Fletcher (centre) with L) Cllr Viv Kendrick - Cabinet member for adult social care, and R) Sue Richards - Kirklees council assistant director of social care for adults.
Doreen is a resident at Meadow Green, Heckmondwike.
Photo Date: 04/06/15
Photo Ref: AB061b0615 — Newspaper: Spenborough Guardian. Story: Kirklees council's extra housing care scheme. Pictured: Former 1940's pin-up girl Doreen Fletcher (centre) with L) Cllr Viv Kendrick - Cabinet member for adult social care, and R) Sue Richards - Kirklees council assistant director of social care for adults. Doreen is a resident at Meadow Green, Heckmondwike. Photo Date: 04/06/15 Photo Ref: AB061b0615

Local Hero David Hustler has lived at Meadow Green Lodge since January 2014.

In 1985, David was awarded a gallantry medal for his actions in the Bradford City fire disaster, which recently marked its 30th anniversary with a tribute in Bradford’s Centenary Square.

David bravely helped rescue supporters when a fire swept through a stand at the club’s Valley Parade ground, killing 56 spectators and injuring hundreds more.

Over the years, Mr Hustler and other supporters and players at the club have raised money to fund a burns research unit at Bradford University.

Speaking of the disaster David said “I got to the corner of the stand and heard a voice - a man lying against the wall was on fire. I picked him up and threw him over the wall and then managed to dive over. By this point I was throwing my clothes off as they were burning into my body. He was a 17-year-old boy who had lost his crutches. I was the last person to make it over the wall.”

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