Centenarian puts long life down to playing bowls

Vera Lucas, a resident at Legion Court, celebrated her 100th birthday on December 18 celebrated the milestone with friends, family and a card from the Queen at the independent housing scheme where she has lived for the past six years.

Mrs Lucas, who moved to Banbridge from Halifax in West Yorkshire to be closer to her son David, recalled the various big world events she has seen during her lifetime.

The mother-of-two, who is also a proud grandmother to five and great-grandmother to seven, remembers growing up during the First World War and then rearing her own family during WWII.

The 100-year-old worked in a mill in Yorkshire and rose trhough the ransk to become the Manager’s Secretary, having started out as the tea girl. Mrs Lucas said she loved her job and was sad to leave it when she married in 1934.

She said she has clear memories of her childhood during the first world war and of the hardships of bringing up her sons during the second world war. She remembers seeking safety every night at the family’s allotment with her two young boys while her husband Harold helped man the siren that warned the people of Halifax that enemy bombers were approaching.

Mrs Lucas puts her long life down to a healthy lifestyle. She said, “I’ve always kept active. I played bowls when I was younger and have many happy memories of competing all over Yorkshire as a member of the Shrogs Park Bowling Team.”

Congratulating Mrs Lucas on her achievement, Clanmil Scheme Co-ordinator at Legion Court Michelle Conway, said, “Vera is a great neighbour and friend to everyone who lives at legion Court.

“We are all really delighted and honoured to be a part of her celebrations and wish her continued good health and happiness.”

Legion Court is a housing scheme for people over 60 that provides tenants with the support they need to stay in a home of their own as they grow older, offering independence, companionship, an active lifestyle and security in 32 self-contained apartments.