A REDDITCH pensioner who is turning 100 years old today (March 3) is celebrating her centenary with her family – but not before a trip to the supermarket.
Ivy Ward, who has lived in Redditch for the past 40 years, still lives independently at home in North Redditch and does her shopping in Tesco every single Friday without fail – and her hundredth birthday will be no different.
She has become something of a regular fixture on Fridays at the Tesco store, where the staff know her well and are always pleased to see her doing her weekly shop.
So determined is Ivy to stick with her usual routine that she even arranged for her telegram from the Queen to arrive a day early – so as she could keep her appointment with her grocery list.
Mrs Ward, who worked in the Spitfire factories during the war before pursuing a career as a legal secretary, is celebrating her 100th year this weekend with her family, who have organised a special afternoon tea to mark the occasion, and her daughter and grandchildren are coming from as far as Bermuda to be with her.
One of three siblings, Ivy has two daughters – Christine, who lives in Redditch and Annette, who lives in Bermuda, and around 30 friends and family are joining them to toast her longevity and independence.
Daughter Christine said: “Mum is well-known in Redditch and is determined to remain independent. We are looking forward to celebrating with her as a family.”
The glamourous great-grandmother of seven says she doesn’t have a secret to her impressive age, but that it could be down to good, healthy genes.
