A MUSBURY woman has become the oldest person to get a history degree from a college at Cambridge University. Myra Fonceca, 66 completed her course at Lucy Cavendish College and received her degree in the Senate House on Saturday, June 27. Myra found the

A MUSBURY woman has become the oldest person to get a history degree from a college at Cambridge University.

Myra Fonceca, 66 completed her course at Lucy Cavendish College and received her degree in the Senate House on Saturday, June 27.

Myra found the course hard work but satisfying. She said: "Reactions of the students were so positive. The biggest hurdle was making my ageing brain work at the required speed.

"I'm sure it was good for me - but it was sometimes tiring and a huge learning curve."

Myra passed her O levels but did not go to university because her father thought she would get married and a degree would be wasted.

She did marry young, had two children, and travelled all over the world.

Her family played a part in her decision to study at Cambridge. Her daughter Louise, son-in-law Andrew, and twin grandsons were living in the city.

After taking part in further education course, she became the first student on Exeter College's access programme to be accepted at Cambridge.

She said: "I have the best of all worlds, the chance to study in Cambridge and the joy of seeing my family every week."

She said some friends thought it was a waste of money, but she saw it as a challenge.

She now hopes to try writing popular history books - researching subjects she got a taste for during her course.

She is taking a trip to Australia, where her daughter and family have since migrated to.