A GREAT-great-grandmother has celebrated her 105th birthday.
In honour of the special occasion, Elizabeth Hughes received her second telegram from the Queen – the first came on her 100th birthday – and held a party with 70 members of her family and the mayor and mayoress of Wrexham.
Mrs Hughes, who was born in Wrexham in 1908, is determined to get a third telegram from Her Majesty in another five years’ time when she plans to celebrate her 110th birthday.
She puts her longevity down to only putting up with one man in her life.
“One was enough,” she said. “When my husband passed away I stayed away from men. They are more trouble than they are worth.
“I am really pleased to get another telegram from the Queen and I have had a lovely party too with all my family here.
“People say I don’t look as old as I am but I laugh at that really.
“They ask me how I keep my skin young and I tell them the truth – soap and water and none of that gunk these youngsters smother their faces in nowadays.”
Her daughter, 78-year-old Joan Parry, says her mum was living semi-independently until last September but was a bit unsteady on her feet so she moved to Hillbury Care Home in Hillbury Road, Wrexham.
“She is still, in many ways, very independent and a very determined lady,” she said.
“She received a telegram from the Queen when she was 100 and was very upset she didn’t get one the following year.
“However, we were told you get one on your 100th birthday and then every five years after that.
“She was absolutely determined to get a second card and has already said she intends to be around in five year’s time to get her third telegram. I wouldn’t bet against her making it.”
Mrs Hughes, nee Jones, was the daughter of a brewer at Sissons Brewery in Wrexham and went into service at a house in Rock Ferry after finishing her education.
She married bricklayer William Thomas Hughes at Wrexham Registry Office in 1934 and the couple had three children, Joan, 78, David, 75, and Gwillym, who died nine years ago, aged 73.
Mrs Parry added: “Of course the family has expanded and she now has 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
“She’s a very contented lady and still has a very good sense of humour too.”
Mayor Cllr Ian Roberts was extremely pleased he and his wife Hilary were invited, a year after they delivered flowers and a card on Mrs Hughes’ 104th birthday.
He said: “It’s a lovely, very family-oriented occasion and Hilary and I are thrilled to have the pleasure, once again, of visiting Mrs Hughes and to celebrate another momentous birthday.
“She looks relaxed and definitely does not look anything like a woman of 105 years of age.”