Announcements

CENTENARIAN Hilda Dunn is celebrating only her 25th birthday today.

The leap year means that great grandmother Hilda can celebrate her landmark year on her actual birthday.

The Brierfield great-grandma of six, who was born on February 29, 1912, says her secret to a long life is enjoying a good social life and having ‘a spot’ of whiskey in her coffee every night.

The former house keeper and office worker, of Humphrey Street, was treated to a surprise birthday party on Monday at the luncheon club in Brierfield Town Hall attended by The Mayor of Pendle and The Mayor of Brierfield.

And today she is celebrating again with friends and family having an afternoon tea. She said: “I don’t think there can be many people who are 100 and have their birthday on a leap year.

“I never felt like I missed out on my birthday because we always celebrated it. My mother decided that we should have February 28 as my birthday when it wasn’t my real birthday.”

Hilda who has lived in Brierfield for 73 years and has one son, a daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and six great grandchildren said she is most excited about getting her card from the Queen.

“I can’t wait to get the card from the Queen. I still can’t believe that I’m turning 100, I didn’t think I would make it this far.

“I think the secret is that I have lived a healthy life, I enjoy meeting up with my friends and going out for meals and that keeps me young.

“About six times a year I go to Blackpool to watch the ballroom dancing with my friend, we get all dressed up in our glad rags or sometimes in fancy dress. One year I went as the Queen Mother and another we went as Laurel and Hardy. I think it’s important to have a laugh.

“Although I don’t really drink I do tend to have a spot of whiskey in my coffee every night. The doctor recommends it and it has worked for me.”