Edith marks 104 with her best pal

IT’S party time this weekend for proud Oldhamer Edith Milne, who celebrates her 104th birthday on Sunday.

Helping her mark the major milestone is best friend Irene Jones, who will be lighting 104 candles on her own birthday cake in August.

The pals, who grew up together in Lees, both live in Oakdene Residential Care Home, Stamford Road, Lees, where Mrs Milne keeps a caring look out for her favourite friend.

Hard work and staying active have always played a big part in the life of the independent great-great-grandmother.

Mrs Milne lived at her own home until moving to Oakdene in 2009.

Born in Bower Street, Derker, she went to school in the morning and worked in a mill in the afternoon.

She went full-time at Lees and Wrigley’s Mill, Glodwick Road, at the age of 14 and later worked in various roles including a cook in the mill canteen.

She retired from her job as a cleaner at Breeze Hill School at the age of 72.

A keen singer, during the First World War Edith entertained wounded soldiers at Oldham Coliseum and the former Royal Theatre in Horsedge Street.

Married to Clifford, who died 31 years ago, they had five children before the family expanded to include 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Her friend, great-grandmother Irene Jones, worked at the former Glen Mill, Lees, before she went on to become a dinner lady at Springhead School. The mother-of-two, whose husband Ted died 41 years ago, has five grand-daughters and 12 great-grandchildren

She also lived independently in Springhead until 2008, when she moved into Oakdene Care Home, where two of her grand-daughters work.

Mrs Milne, who marked her 100th birthday by taking a trip in a stretch limousine, will have a party in the home on Sunday for friends and family.