Ena Maddison, of Pinchbeck, reaches landmark of 100th birthday with family and friends' party
Disbelief is the overriding feeling for Ena Maddison after celebrating her 100th birthday with family and friends in Surfleet.
Mrs Maddison, of Pinchbeck, pointed to "hard work" as her secret to a long life that has included a 68-year marriage to late husband Albert, two children, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Long life was a feature at her birthday party too, held at the Fraiser Room, as two of the friends invited to Mrs Maddison's celebration were bridesmaids at her wedding in Gosberton Clough in 1941.
Mrs Maddison, who was born in Downham Market, Norfolk, when George V was King of England, David Lloyd George was Prime Minister and Nancy Astor became the first woman MP to take her seat in the House of Commons.
"I didn't do a lot for my birthday," Mrs Maddison said.
"I just say at home and opened my birthday cards, including one from the Queen.
"I still can't take it in that there's a difference between my 100th and any other birthday."
Mrs Maddison's first job was as a bulbs and plants worker at Simpson and Leavesley Nurseries in Spalding before becoming a landworker at G. Darley and Sons, of Pinchbeck.
"I moved around with my mum and dad, living wherever he could get a job," Mrs Maddison said.
"Later on, my dad played as a drummer in a band that went round the pubs in Spalding and Quadring.
"One time I do remember was working at Gosberton House School where I was an office cleaner.
"I used to go back at nights and look after the children, some that I did for 15 years."
WEDDING DAY: Ena marries husband Albert at Gosberton Clough's St Gilbert and St Hugh Parish Church in 1941. Photo: SG-160719-038TW
More recently, Mrs Maddison was a regular at Spalding's Castle Indoor Bowls Club and a frequent bingo player, with a biggest win coming in 1988 when the numbers came up for her to land a cheque for nearly £5,500.
But money meant nothing to Mrs Maddison on her birthday as family and friends were asked to donate it to Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance instead, raising £250.
Mrs Maddison said: "I like my food and I've never drunk alcohol and I used to love my bowls, having won a few trophies in my time.
"But I think the main thing that has kept me going is hard work, and it was hard where I worked."
Son Brian said: "My mum has been a lovely mother, always there for us and never wanting for anything.
"She would sooner give her last penny away to help someone else than keep it for herself.
"That how generous and kind-hearted a mum she is."
