Ada Celebrates 105 Years!

Veteran Buckinghamshire resident Ada Watson was 105 today (Thursday 7th April) and celebrated with a birthday lunch at The Bell, Stoke Mandevillle.

And adding a civic touch to her special day was County Councillor Phil Gomm with flowers and a card to add to many — including one from The Queen — adorning her small living room.

Ada, born in Abertillery in 1911, moved to Haddenham to live with her grandparents at the age of nine, and set up home in Aylesbury with husband Ralph after their wedding at Holy Trinity Parish Church on September 6, 1930.

She was well known to patrons at the old Bull's Head Hotel in the town centre, as her mother-in-law ran silver service there. The hotel was demolished in the 1960s.

Ada, who has two daughters, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, welcomed the civic visit to her Aylesbury home with sparkling eyes and a broad smile: the same beaming smile she had for a stream of family and friends who visited her on her birthday.

Phil, who represents the Bedgrove area, where her daughter, Jean, and husband Tony live, said: 'The age of 105 is a great achievement and I'm really pleased that I was able to represent the County Council on Ada's big day.'

Ada, whose brother Frederick Burch was Aylesbury Borough Treasurer in the 1960s said: 'I was delighted to get a visit from the County Council. It's lovely to be recognised in this way.'

And her recipe for long life? 'Behaving yourself!' said Ada.