Party time with friends for 100th birthday

Miriam, of Buckingham Court, Broadfield, still cooks and shops for herself and until four years ago was visiting her daughter every year in Australia.

Miriam was born in Greenwich, London, the third eldest of nine children - two sisters and six brothers. She was married twice and now lives alone, but surrounded by friends.

She said: “I’ve worked hard all my life and looked after my brothers and sister. It’s made me tough a bit. I reckon I’m getting younger than older.”

Miriam moved to Crawley to work when it became a new town and first lived in Gossops Green.

She worked in a factory owned by Enoch’s and then went to work for Monograms electric blanket factory in Manor Royal.

Dot Hawkins, a friend who came to the party on Friday worked with her at Enoch’s.

She said: “She took me under her wing and looked after me and I’ve loved her ever since. She’s kind, loving, caring, wonderfully mannered beautiful lady.”

Daughter Brenda, who flew over from her home in Australia, said: “The last time she went out to Australia was at 94 and came back when she was 95.

“She wanted to spend her 95th birthday with us.”

Miriam also has two grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

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