Hilda’s young at heart — at 103!

ALWAYS game for a laugh: Hilda with daughter Freda Eason

ONE of Oldham’s oldest residents, Hilda Wright, celebrates her 103rd birthday today.

And she’s spending it partying with friends — not forgetting her daily game of dominoes.

Hilda hit the headlines last year when she marked her 102nd birthday by revving the engine of a world-class motorbike.

She has been an armchair fan of MotoGP and huge supporter of nine-times world motorcycle champion, Valentino Rossi since her granddaughter Julie married motorbike fan Steve Shaw 10 years ago.

Steve owns Highbarn Motorcycles on Broadway, Chadderton, and he managed to get his hands on the Yamaha 2009 YZF-R1, the bike Rossi raced round the Isle of Man TT circuit during a parade lap in 2009.

Sprightly Hilda threw her leg over the seat and sat proudly in the place of her hero to mark last year’s birthday.

This year, celebrations were more modest — but she still proved her fitness by touching her toes.

Her daughter Freda (67) of Alpine Drive, Royton, has already thrown a big family party, where the birthday girl was guest of honour. Later she will enjoy a get-together for a bite to eat with fellow residents of Edgehill Residential Care Home, Royton.

Freda said: “My mum is a happy soul, we see her several times a week and she is always ready to go out with us. She will join in anything and everyone loves her.”

Hilda grew up in Pembroke Street, off Union Street West in Oldham. She began work in the cotton mills at the age of 13, after leaving St Thomas’s School in Werneth Hall Road.

She married Ellis Wright in her 30s, but he died 17 years ago. She now loves spending time with her daughter Freda and son-in-law Peter, and her two granddaughters Karen and Julie.