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'No fuss' for Margaret, aged 105 | 'No fuss' for Margaret, aged 105 |
(about 15 hours later) | |
Margaret Sadler has lived through five monarchs, two World Wars and remembers life before cars and electricity. | Margaret Sadler has lived through five monarchs, two World Wars and remembers life before cars and electricity. |
She has seen Wales win 10 rugby Grand Slams, was in her 60s when Beatlemania arrived and was 80 before she retired. | She has seen Wales win 10 rugby Grand Slams, was in her 60s when Beatlemania arrived and was 80 before she retired. |
Turning 105 in Chepstow, Monmouthshire she said the secret of her longevity was a bottle or two of Guinness a day and "hard work". | Turning 105 in Chepstow, Monmouthshire she said the secret of her longevity was a bottle or two of Guinness a day and "hard work". |
She said she did not want any fuss for her latest birthday but said her second card from the Queen was "lovely". | |
"She's amazing. We can't believe she's 105," said her daughter-in-law Audrey Sadler, who is married to Margaret's 77-year-old son Gerald. | "She's amazing. We can't believe she's 105," said her daughter-in-law Audrey Sadler, who is married to Margaret's 77-year-old son Gerald. |
"She's worked hard all her life. But she's still in good health, eats well and can walk with some help. She's never complained about anything and has had a happy life." | "She's worked hard all her life. But she's still in good health, eats well and can walk with some help. She's never complained about anything and has had a happy life." |
Mrs Sadler, who was born in 1903, left school when she was 13 to work at a local farm in Devauden, near Tintern in the Wye Valley, where she was born and brought up. | Mrs Sadler, who was born in 1903, left school when she was 13 to work at a local farm in Devauden, near Tintern in the Wye Valley, where she was born and brought up. |
MARGARET'S MEMORIES: World War I : "I was worried when my dad Jack went away in the army in the First World War. He was in Woolwich in London. I was relieved and happy when he came homeThe 1930s: "I can't remember the first time I went in a car but I do remember when there were six cars in the village. They all belonged to the hotel ownersWorld War II: "It was dreadful really. My husband was too old to go to war and my son was too young. But we had quite a lot of worrying becuase some of my brothers went. Rationing wasn't very goodQueen Elizabeth II's coronation: "I remember King George and the crowning of Princess Elizabeth. She was beautiful2008: "I don't think the world's a better place today. It's not so homely. People aren't like they used to be. You used to be able to leave your doors open" | |
She then went to work as a silver service waitress at the Anchor Hotel next to Tintern Abbey when she was 14 - and did not leave until she was 80. | She then went to work as a silver service waitress at the Anchor Hotel next to Tintern Abbey when she was 14 - and did not leave until she was 80. |
"I loved it," said Mrs Sadler, who has eight grandchildren and "too many great-grandchildren to remember". | "I loved it," said Mrs Sadler, who has eight grandchildren and "too many great-grandchildren to remember". |
"I carried trays out to the lawn and up in the dining rooms and up the stairs. | "I carried trays out to the lawn and up in the dining rooms and up the stairs. |
"I had a bottle of Guinness a day when I was working - or sometimes two. That kept me going." | "I had a bottle of Guinness a day when I was working - or sometimes two. That kept me going." |
Even after she retired at 80, she went back to the hotel for a couple of parties to help serve guests. | Even after she retired at 80, she went back to the hotel for a couple of parties to help serve guests. |
"After retiring she wasn't happy at all," said Gerald. | "After retiring she wasn't happy at all," said Gerald. |
"She was miserable at home and she just sat in front of the fire. So she went back to help a couple of times. She loved working. She only really went part time when she was about 70. She just kept going." | "She was miserable at home and she just sat in front of the fire. So she went back to help a couple of times. She loved working. She only really went part time when she was about 70. She just kept going." |
Mrs Sadler married her husband James - known as Jim - when she was 23 and they brought up their children Gerald and Joan, 80, in a cottage high above the Wye Valley in Church Grove, Tintern. | Mrs Sadler married her husband James - known as Jim - when she was 23 and they brought up their children Gerald and Joan, 80, in a cottage high above the Wye Valley in Church Grove, Tintern. |
Mrs Sadler (second from left) with her old workmates at the Anchor Hotel | Mrs Sadler (second from left) with her old workmates at the Anchor Hotel |
"We had 50 chickens and some ponies, which kept mum busy. And she always walked everywhere, even after being in work all day," said Gerald. | "We had 50 chickens and some ponies, which kept mum busy. And she always walked everywhere, even after being in work all day," said Gerald. |
Mrs Sadler lived alone after her husband died from a stoke in 1977, then with her daughter before moving to Castle Court residential home in Chepstow nine years ago, where she is affectionately known as 'gran'. | Mrs Sadler lived alone after her husband died from a stoke in 1977, then with her daughter before moving to Castle Court residential home in Chepstow nine years ago, where she is affectionately known as 'gran'. |
"She has lived through a lot," said Audrey. | "She has lived through a lot," said Audrey. |
"We don't know if she is the oldest woman in Wales but she must be close. | "We don't know if she is the oldest woman in Wales but she must be close. |
"She has received her second card from the Queen - the first was when she was 100. Now she'll get one every year." | "She has received her second card from the Queen - the first was when she was 100. Now she'll get one every year." |
Mrs Sadler also received telegrams from First Minister Rhodri Morgan, Welsh secretary Paul Murphy and James Purnell, the work and pensions secretary. | Mrs Sadler also received telegrams from First Minister Rhodri Morgan, Welsh secretary Paul Murphy and James Purnell, the work and pensions secretary. |
But she insisted she did not want a fuss for her latest birthday, which was being celebrated at the residential home, with family, friends and a birthday cake. | But she insisted she did not want a fuss for her latest birthday, which was being celebrated at the residential home, with family, friends and a birthday cake. |
Mrs Sadler added: "I didn't tell anyone. But the card from the Queen was lovely." | Mrs Sadler added: "I didn't tell anyone. But the card from the Queen was lovely." |
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