IT WAS difficult not to notice that Friday, August 4 was the Queen Mum's 100th birthday, but it was also a day to celebrate and honour the lives of some fellow 100-year-olds from Winsford.

Vale Royal Mayor Steve Gough, who also shares the Queen Mum's birthday and was 49 on Friday, put out an appeal for any 100-year-olds to come forward and celebrate with him.

Anne Woodward, 101, received a home visit from the Mayor, while Sarah Mills, 100, went along to ASDA with her family to join in the birthday celebrations.

Anne's daughter in law Caroline Woodward, 62, said Anne has lived at Hebden Green Cottage, on Woodford Lane West, for 62 years after moving from Little Budworth.

She married George Ernest Woodward in 1933 and they spent their lives farming before he died in 1977.

Anne has three sons and will reach her next landmark when she is 102 in September.

Sarah led an altogether different life, she was born in Over and was in service in Oldham as a chambermaid in the early part of her life, before working in a mill.

Her son John Mills said: "It was a hard life working in a mill in Oldham, but she was a hard working woman."

Sarah was then in charge of a mill shop before marrying Albert Mills, a musician of some note.

He used to be part of an orchestra which played the live incidental music for silent films in old cinemas. Albert died in 1981, aged 75.

Sarah and Albert had three children and lived in Station Road, Dingle Lane and most recently in Moulton before moving to the Grange Nursing Home at the age of 90.

Congratulations to Hilda Lathan, who at 79 was the oldest person ASDA could find who shared the Queen Mum's birthday.

Hilda lives in Lodge Drive in Wharton and has been retired for 18 years, she now likes nothing better than a game of bingo.

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