A LONDONER now living in Chester has celebrated her 100th birthday.
Bertha Violet Bull, née Henbest, was born in Croydon in 1912. Among her earliest memories is witnessing a bombing raid from a German Zeppelin airship during the First World War.
Bertha left school aged 14, when her mother was ill, to look after the household of two parents and 11 children.
Later she was taken on by J Sainsbury as assistant cashier in their East Croydon store, making her one of their youngest employees.
After rising to the position of chief clerk, Bertha left to marry Stanley in 1937 and while living in Croydon they had sons David and Michael.
In the late 50s the skill of book-keeping learned at Sainsbury’s was put to use again when she worked for precious metal engravers and later took over the business.
When widowed, she retired to the south coast and lived on her own for many years before moving to a retirement flat in Great Boughton – opposite Sainsbury’s of all places.
This meant she was close to son David from Christleton who used to work at the Shell Thornton Research Centre and celebrates his 69th birthday on the same day as his mum.
Having looked after herself for more than 98 years Bertha, who has five grandchildren and six great grandchildren, now enjoys the care of Crabwall Hall in Mollington.
Three celebrations are taking place. On Tuesday a party was held at the home with music and fireworks. On Thursday, a birthday tea party takes place with Bertha’s grandchildren and great grandchildren from Holland. And on Sunday her two sons have organised a lunch party at Rowton Hall for family and friends.
Bertha ascribes her longevity to hard work and a sense of humour but admits that a glass of sherry every day may have contributed.
