30th March 1990 LM

Annie enjoys her 103rd Birthday!

NEARFIELD’s oldest resident celebrated her 103rd birthday on Saturday with a family party.

Annie Downing was born on March 24 1887 one of eight children at Manor Farm, Gayton, near Stafford.

In her early days she worked in service but later married Frank, a plumber and moved to Sandon.

Although the couple never had children Annie was always part of a large family and more than 20 members of it including great great nieces and nephews turned up on Saturday to wish her a happy birthday.

Annie moved to Nearfiled just seven years ago after living with her sister Mary for many years at Sandon where she was a keen gardeneer, enjoyed sewing and working for Sandon Church.

Now family visits and a good chat are favourite pastimes for the grand old lady of Nearfield House.

Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD