A fantastic 100 for fiesty Evelyn

EVELYN DAWSON . . . celebration

A LIFE of outdoor exploration has proved a winning formula for a 100-year-old in Oldham who celebrated her birthday yesterday.

Evelyn Dawson was surrounded by friends and family at the weekend as a double celebration saw dozens turn out to wish her a happy birthday.

The animal-lover was even visited by a dusty-grey donkey named Rusty on Friday at Avonleigh Gardens Care Home, Watersgheddings. A surprised Evelyn patted the loveable creature, which brought back fond childhood memories.

Born in Hengoed, in Shropshire, Evelyn was one of three children brought up on a small farm among unspoilt countryside.

Evelyn’s daughter, Perry Luscombe, said: “She always speaks fondly of her time on the farm, she even used to ride to school on a horse with her brother and sister. She remembers the suffragettes meeting secretly in the field as a girl.”

Evelyn later went on to marry Daniel Dawson, working for a doctor and his wife in Hale and giving birth to three children.

Eventually retiring to Oldham in 1970, Evelyn’s love of animals continued as she walked her several pet dogs around the borough’s reservoirs.

Perry added:: “She’s always loved the outdoors and that’s helped her keep fit and healthy.

“We were worried when she got a new dog aged 90, but she loved walking and meeting people along the way.

“She’s feisty, determined and fantastic.”

Sadly her husband Daniel died at the age of 84 in 1981.

Evelyn, who has seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, loved being the centre of attention and Mayor of Oldham, Councillor David Jones, presented her with a card from the Queen.