West Melton’s Edna reveals secret to 100-year life

Edna Adams, of Rotherham Road, West Melton, said the visits she made with son Kenneth to Hornsea had helped to ensure she remained health enough to stay in her home of more than 50 years.

“I have never been one to just around,” she said.

“I go to Hornsea with my son and we go for walks along the prom — all that sea air is good for you.”

Born Edna Trickett, she was one of three sisters.

After leaving Wath Grammar School, she worked in the benefits office in Rotherham before the outbreak of war saw her sent to work at a firm in Huddersfield.

“She was put in charge of organising the books and overseeing all the book-keeping,” Kenneth said.

She had Kenneth, her only son, with husband Edward while living in Huddersfield but they later moved to Wath, after which Mrs Adams began working as a secretary at the Brampton Ellis Junior and Infant Schools.

Following her husband’s death in 1964, she took a took as non-teaching assistant, which she continued until her retirement at 60.

Kenneth revealed that his mother had wanted to find a new challenge in retirement, so “she decided to learn to drive and passed her test first time”, keeping her licence until she was 80.

Mrs Adams celebrated her 100th birthday on Thursday, September 2, with a meal with her family at the Bluebell pub in Manvers.