Mrs Dye, who will be 95 in May, has lived in Mellis all her life in six different houses, and as its oldest resident and village historian can rightfully claim to be the keeper of the community's memories.

With her mind and sense of humour as sharp as ever, she is always happy to share her stories, photographs and memorabilia with others.

"It's just my legs that don't work properly these days," she said and then recounted how, as a young girl, she had to run to the village well every day as there was no running water in many of the houses.

Mrs Dye was born Dorothy Walton at Mead Cottage on May 27, 1913. She was just three when her father, Stanley Walton, died on the Somme.

"I remember the telegram boy coming and when I went into the house my mother was crying," said Mrs Dye.

Her father's body had no grave, but she was able to visit the battlefield area with her own children, who took her to see her father's name on the Thiepval Memorial.

Mrs Dye, her mother Ethel and brother John later moved to Drury (Dam) Lane, which they called Dreary Lane because it was always muddy, then to The Laurels and on to Sunnyside, where she lived until she married.

She moved into Popular Lodge on her wedding day and brought up her children there, before retiring to her present home in Aggas Acre, where she has lived for 18 years.

"I've never moved away. Every time I look out of the window, I see a house I have lived in," she said.

Her brother John was two years younger than her and was an artist. Like his father he also went into the army and rose to the rank of Major before becoming an art teacher at Oakham School in Rutland.

The Walton children both attended Mellis School and Mrs Dye was a spirited girl who, on one occasion, led her class in a rebellion.

She was concerned that another girl had come to school with scarlet fever and didn't feel it was right, so she led her classmates out on to the common to hide.

She was later punished with six smacks on the hand from the teacher's ruler.

She was also voted Queen of the May by the boys in her class, even though she didn't really want to take the role, and was conveyed through the village in a small tub cart during the May festivities.

"My mother made me a crown of flowers," said Mrs Dye. "But the boy who was flower bearer was carrying it on a cushion and dropped it and all the flowers came off. We had to go into the rector's garden and ask for some more."

Another childhood memory is of watching a pig being slaughtered on Mellis Common.

"We thought it was wonderful to see, but children probably wouldn't be allowed to watch such a thing today," she said.

Mrs Dye left school at 15 and worked in Eye for 47 years, beginning at Rowlands Drapers. After a short spell in a solicitor's office in the town, she worked for G.H. Nunns Drapers Shop from 1935 to 1965.

She then got a job at Alma Components (which later became Hamlins) and stayed there until 1980, when the company was surprised to discover she was 67 and should really have retired at 60.

"They called me Dolly, as there were several other Dorothys at the company. I did have some fun there. I'd still be there now if I hadn't been found out," she said.

She was married to Leonard Dye for almost five decades – he died shortly before she moved to her current home. The couple met at a funfair on Mellis Common. Mr Dye was a qualified wheelwright who was lodging in the village.

"I loved the steam horses and he climbed up behind me on my horse," said Mrs Dye.

They were married in Mellis Church on August 9, 1941, and had two children - Barry, a musician and entertainments officer who now lives in Ipswich, and Sandra, who lives in Louies Lane in Diss. The children attended the old primary school and then, when it opened, the new Mellis Primary School.

"We watched the new school being built next door and the builders used to come and have a hot meal at our house," said Mrs Dye.

The couple both served the community they lived in.

Do you have any Mellis memories to tell? Add your comments below, write to: Mellis Memories, Diss Express, Mere Street, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4AE or email editorial@dissexpress.co.uk