Secret to reaching 101... be happy

Ann Lord

IT’S many, many happy returns to former Oldham headmistress Ann Lord who celebrates her 101st birthday today.

The active pensioner, who has a busy social life, puts her good health down to walking.

She said: “I have never had a car so I have always had to walk.

“I have always been in rambling clubs and I led a ramble for my 80th birthday!”

Miss Lord grew up in Dalwyn Street, Oldham, and worked at Glen Mill, Lees, after leaving school at the age of 14.

She then went into domestic service before joining Air Raid Precautions during the Second Word War.

After working in health services, she trained as a teacher and became headmistress at Havenside Special School, Moorside, in 1960, staying there until her retirement in 1974.

“I really enjoyed working with the children,” she said.

“It was a happy school and the job was so fulfilling — all the parents were so pleased with everything.”

Miss Lord, who lives with a friend in Chadderton, is a member of St Matthew’s Church and also attends a social group at Mills Hill Baptist Church, both Chadderton.

A regular at the Failsworth and District Residents’ Association lunch club, members are holding a special birthday celebration for her tomorrow at Chadderton Bar and Grill, Middleton Road.

Her birthday gifts included a book of her life story created by volunteers from Age UK Oldham.

As for the secret to a long life, she said: “I don’t know!

“Just be happy and enjoy everything as it comes.”