Former ‘Land Girl’ Elsie Waters celebrated her 100th birthday in style at Holcroft Grange care home in Culcheth, Warrington.
Staff and residents threw a Land Army-themed party, complete with bunting, a classic British buffet, and two Land Army-style singers performing classics from years gone by.
Elsie, who credits her mother’s cooking for her longevity, spent her special day surrounded by staff and revellers at the home, and was delighted with a surprise visit by the Mayor of Warrington, who arrived after the party to congratulate her on reaching a century.
Born in London’s Saint Bartholomew’s Hospital and raised in the capital, Elsie married Thomas Waters in 1944. The couple moved to Warrington in the 1950s and lived together in Culcheth until Thomas passed away in 2000.
During the Second World War, Elsie was a member of the Women’s Land Army (WLA), an organisation created to place women in agricultural roles that were left vacant by men who had been called up to the military. Elsie worked with other ‘Land Girls’ in greenhouses growing tomatoes and vegetables to support the war effort.
Shirley Paton, Home Manager at Holcroft Grange, commented: “Elsie is a lovely lady who always has an interesting story to tell. We are all so pleased that Elsie enjoyed her Land Army themed birthday party and had the opportunity to meet the Mayor of Warrington on her special day. It’s an honour and a privilege to know Elsie, and everyone at Holcroft Grange would like to wish her many happy returns.”
