GLASSES were raised at Moss Bank Elderly Person's Home to honour the 105th birthday of Mrs. Frances Kingsley, who has become something of a legend since taking up residence there in 1988.

Messages from The Queen congratulating Frances on her 'remarkable' milestone; from Secretary of State for Social Security Peter Lilley and former MP Hartley Shawcross plus a bouquet from the local police force, took pride-of-place among a shoal of greetings showered on this very special lady.

Believed to be the oldest person in St. Helens, the recipe for longevity of the lass who was born in gas-lit Westfield Street when Victoria's reign still had a decade to run is simply: "faith in God, a morale-boosting hair-do and a regular wee dram!"

"What's all the fuss about?" exclaimed Frances as she held court for her loving family and countless friends she has made in her century-plus saga of living life to the full within the Saintly borough.

The only survivor of nine children, further joy came in the long and happy time of Frances with the birth of her son Austin and daughter Nancy, with four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren completing the family circle.

Although now confined to a wheelchair, former Sacred Heart parishioner Mrs Kingsley is still blessed with an amazing vitality, phenomenal memory and ready sense of humour, and doesn't look a day older than when I spoke to her on her 100th birthday, which speaks volumes for the care and attention of the staff at Moss Bank EPH

"Wish I could say the same for you!" grinned Frances, who in her incident-packed lifetime has been decorated for bravery, had a tree named after her and has been featured regularly on local radio. The first claim to fame explains the police presence at her latest birthday bash, for fearless Frances came to the assistance of a constable who was being attacked by two drunks in the notorious Greenbank area, when she was but a slip of a girl in 1906.

She recalled, as if it were yesterday, how she sailed into the thugs, summoned help by blowing the officer's whistle, and later gave evidence at their trial when they received their comeuppance.

Such public-spirited action by Frances was recognised by the award of the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Medal, she is pictured displaying a parchment and engraved watch, which were presented by revered St. Helens Chief Constable Arthur Ellerington.

"Going to the Town Hall for the ceremony was a bigger ordeal than sorting out the drunks," laughed this larger-than-life lady, who also took on the bureaucrats and won when they threatened to uproot the sapling later to become known as the 'Frances Kingsley Tree' which she planted in her backyard in 1920

"Nice of you to call," said Frances as I said my goodbyes,"and don't make it as long next time, because you never know at your age!"

Truly a remarkable woman who, like a vintage wine, gets better with the years - all 105 years of them in this case.

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