Pinchbeck ‘pancake queen’ Lorna Webb turns 100

A ‘pancake queen’ and former hockey teacher has taken a look back on her proudest moments after turning 100 years old.

Lorna Webb, of Pinchbeck, who is well known in the area for her expert pancake flipping skills and generous charity donations, celebrated her 100th birthday today (Wednesday, January 22).

To mark the big milestone, Lorna spent the afternoon with friends and former hockey players at a tea party at St Laurence Church in Surfleet – which she frequently visits for its Sunday service.

Prior to living in Pinchbeck, Lorna grew up in Gosberton and moved to Gosberton Clough with her family when she was six years old as her parents set up a family farm.

She attended Donington Grammar School – which was a boarding school at the time — and, once she was 17, decided to study at a university in London during the Second World War.

Lorna said: “When I was in London there were bombs going off – it was a bit different to what I had been used to in Gosberton Clough. We didn’t have any air raid shelters at university, but it was quite a large building.”

After meeting her late husband, Derek Webb, at a party in Peterborough, the two kept in contact and in Lorna’s words – ‘the rest is history’. She added: “We had close to five years together in the new bungalow and then he died and I’ve been here by myself for 20 years.

“When we moved to Pinchbeck, Derek suggested we held a pancake night for the choir, and that’s what we did.

“It was around that time that we also started hosting four different coffee mornings throughout the year in our garden, and each one raised £300-£500 for different charities – it was wonderful.”

Alongside all of the baking and various hobbies Lorna has enjoyed throughout her life, there was one in particular which was her favourite.

Lorna was involved in hockey until she was 55 years old and coached the England under 23s team. She said: “I was mad about sports. My secret to a long and happy life would be staying fit.

“I made so many friends and happy memories because of hockey. Some advice I would give to young people is to get into sport, help anyone wherever they can and look after themselves – as a lot of youngster don’t.”

Lorna has already had a busy week of celebration, after being asked to give a reading at the Plough Sunday service in Rippingale and meeting with friends from Pinchbeck Women's Institute ahead of her birthday.

The 100-year-old is also looking forward to a home cooked lunch with her family at the Crown Inn in Surfleet on Saturday.

One family member, who is currently working in China, will also be flying over to celebrate the big milestone with her.

Lorna had two birthday cakes made for her to mark the occasion by Sophisticake in Woodhall Spa, who have previously made cakes for the Royal family.

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