SPRIGHTLY Droitwich woman Ida Hewlett toasted her 100th birthday yesterday (Wednesday).
Ida grew up in Evesham – her parents Albert and Lily Fincher farmed at Eckington and she helped out as soon as she was old enough, going around the village with horse Peter between the shafts of a cart.
She was the only girl in her class at the village school before going to an all-girls school in Worcester.
Her family say she still speaks of those early school days as a ‘lost opportunity’.
When she got older she enjoyed Saturday night dances at parish halls where she met her husband-to-be Roy Hewlett.
The pair married at Eckington Church in 1947 where first son David was Christened two years later.
They began married life in a flat in Tanworth-in-Arden before moving into a house her grandparents built which was left to her.
Her grandfather was chief steward at the golf club and she remembers accompanying her grandmother across the fields – now Droitwich Spa Cricket Club – where both her sons later played.
Ida and Roy’s second son Nigel was born in 1954 and the family lived in that house until 2010 when it became too much to manage. She moved into The Priory care home.
Ida loved her garden, even into her 90s, and loved to be outside drinking coffee (or damson wine) throughout the year.
She supported Roy in his Royal British Legion work – the house was always full of Remembrance poppies.
Ida ran the WI market at the Old Library building, which gave her great pleasure and many friends.
At Christmas she would make 100 dozen mince pies.
Roy died in 2010 after 63 years of marriage but Ida carried on, greatly supported by neighbours, friends and family – especially Nigel and Marie and then professional carers.
David said: “She counts herself very fortunate to have made her home at The Priory and cannot speak highly enough of their care for her.
Her four grandchidlren and seven great grandchildren visit regularly and she takes great interest in what they do – especially on the sports field.
And her secret to a long life?
“Keep it simple and be contented.”
