‘Reaching 100 is hard work!’

Margaret Birch celebrated her 100th birthday at Evelyn Sharp House, Hemel Hempstead

Mona Margaret Birch – who goes by the name of Margaret – became one of the borough’s latest centenarians on Friday, celebrating the landmark birthday with family and friends at Hemel Hempstead’s Evelyn Sharp House where she moved to recently.

Margaret was born in Southall, Middlesex, but moved to the new town of Hemel Hempstead just after the war to Barnacres Road in Bennetts End,after her husband got work at Rotax – later called Lucas. The couple later moved to Adeyfield.

Margaret herself contributed to many of the area’s big industries, having worked at John Dickinson Stationers, Kent Brushes, Alford & Alder and Sheaffer Pens.

Margaret Birch celebrated her 100th birthday at Evelyn Sharp House, Hemel Hempstead, on Friday. PNL-150901-180625009

The 100-year-old has three children – Lynn, Gerald and Peter – as well as a whopping nine grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Daughter Lynn said: “Mum is well-known in Hemel. She is very sociable and goes regularly to clubs – she likes a good discussion, or argument! She loves shopping and adding to her endless wardrobe.

“She also loves a game of bingo and watches game shows on TV.

“If you ask Mum what it is like to reach 100, she moans and says her legs hurt and says it’s hard work getting there.

“But she is always out and about chatting – I don’t think she realises what an amazing achievement it is.”