MARGARET Hammond - believed to be oldest Barnsley-born person - didn’t let the pandemic spoil her 109th birthday this week.
As the 25th-oldest person in the UK, her family had hoped they could treat the centenarian to her favourite takeaway on Tuesday - a Chinese - but Covid restrictions halted their plans.
However, her family said she still enjoyed a party put on by carers at her care home in Wakefield.
Margaret was born on May 25, 1912, on High Street in Wombwell.
She worked as a waitress in a restaurant on Market Street in the town centre and married Noel Leslie Hammond in 1936 with whom she had four children - Bill, Bob, Maggie and Lynda.
A ‘sprightly soul’, Lynda revealed her mum was still living independently well past her 100th birthday - having only moved into a care home eight years ago.
“She got a bit unsteady on her feet but other than that she’s as fit as a fiddle,” said Lynda, 70. “I went over to see her on her birthday and the carers had made her a cake.
“She loves it when a letter from the Queen arrives every year - I think it’s one of the highlights of her day.”
During her long life, Margaret has lived through two wars and has seen 26 prime ministers.
Her favourite memory was meeting the former chairman of Morrisons supermarket, Sir Kenneth Morrison, when she was 100.
“She tells everyone that she met Mr Morrison,” added Lynda. “She said to him that she has always eaten well, always worked hard and always behaved herself which I think she credits to living a long life.”
