Celebration time for 105-year-old Hilda

Hilda Jackson — 105 tomorrow

AVID Evening Chronicle reader Hilda Jackson will be centre of attention tomorrow as she celebrates her 105th birthday.

Mrs Jackson, who has lived in the town all her life and keeps up with all the news by reading the Chronicle five nights a week, will be treated to a special birthday party surrounded by close family and friends at the Werneth Lodge residential home, Oxford Street, Werneth.

Mrs Jackson, one of the oldest residents in Oldham, believes the secret to her long life is an odd glass of sherry.

The chirpy pensioner, who worked as a telephonist at Platt Brothers in Oldham, was born in Harrow Street, Coppice, in 1903. She married her husband, Herbert, in the same area, but he died some years ago. Their son, Peter, was a solicitor in Stalybridge, but he died a few years ago.

Mrs Jackson, who has three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, joked about reaching the grand old age by saying: “I am fed up. I will just have to cross off a few years.”