Centenarian Ethel remains independent as she celebrates 100th birthday

Ethel celebrated turning 100 at West View Lodge on Friday, September 4, with a party, 11 bouquets of flowers and cards sent from far and wide including strangers.

It was after home staff put out an appeal on social media.

Ethel, who was the manageress of Hartlepool gown store Graftons for 34 years, said: “It was unbelievable what they had done for me.

"I haven’t been here that long. The staff are lovely.”

She is currently convalescing at the home after a recent stay in hospital. But despite her age Ethel remains in very good general health and is determined to return to her own home soon and go out for her weekly shopping trips again with granddaughter Kate Coleman, 39.

Ethel puts the secret of her longevity down to her love of bowls which she played for over 30 years until recently.

On reaching 100 she said: "I don’t feel any different. I’ve always been a healthy person.

"I played bowls for 34 years; I think that's what kept me going.”

During the war while in her early twenties Ethel worked at Hartlepool's steelworks where she drove an overhead crane.

She remembers being trapped in her cab during an air raid and also dashing home while enemy planes flew overhead.

The great-grandmother of four said: “I can remember that as clear as anything. It was a bit scary at first but I got used to it.”

In 1940 she married husband Tommy Wray, a moulder at Hartlepool's shipyards. He passed away in 2000.

West View Lodge activities co-ordinator Ann Roberts said: “She’s amazing. I hope I get to 100 after meeting Ethel.

"For her birthday we shared a status on Facebook for anyone who could help us with decorations or donations for us to buy her something.

"It was shared by people who work here and we were all shocked with what we got.”

Ethel had a son Tommy who died nine years ago. She also has another granddaughter Emma Bestford and is close to Tommy's former partner Pam Mitchell.

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