Wirral grandmother celebrates 100th birthday (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral grandmother celebrates 100th birthday

4:33pm Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News By Craig Manning

A WIRRAL grandmother has celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family today.

Florence Dodd was born in Shotton and began her working life as a milliner in Liverpool.

She married Harold during the second world war and the couple moved to Eastham in 1948, settling in Bromborough a year later.

They had one son, Alan, and Harold died in the early 1990s. Florence has lived on her own ever since.

She has been a member of the Manx Society for seven years, which meets once a month. Its members have links with the Isle of Man.

Also attending the celebrations at Lower Bebington Methodist Church this afternoon were Wirral’s deputy mayor and mayoress, Cllr Dave and Sue Mitchell, who presented Florence with a birthday card.

Asked the secret of his mother’s long life, Florence’s eldest son Alan said: "She doesn't drink alcohol, never smoked and just enjoyed life.

"When I was a kid we used to go camping. Mum loved the outdoor life."

Asked why Florence joined the Manx Society, Alan continued: “My eldest son lives on the Isle of Man, so I suggested to mum that she join the society.

"It's ideal for mum, because she likes to chat to other people about the past.

"Her memory perhaps isn’t as good as it was, but it’s nice for her to meet other people."