A FORMER dress-maker waited 100 years to have her first proper birthday party.

Mercia Edwards marked a century at a birthday party after turning the grand age on Thursday, November 8.

She confessed to son, former Gazette sports editor Greg Edwards, it was “her first birthday party”.

In the past, she has had birthday lunches but never a full-flung party – and was surrounded by family and her “numerous grandchildren”

including 10-week-old Frankie.

Her sons, Greg, Alan, David, and Gordon, were also at her side at her home in Upton.

Born in Grimbsy she lived all over the UK as husband Joe was an RAF bomber navigator, billeted in various bases in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall and the Home Counties.

He finished the Second World War in one piece, despite being shot down and escaping the Nazis’ clutches through occupied France, and was Mentioned in Dispatches for his gallantry.

In 1953 Mercia and Joe moved to Worcester, helping with her brother’s business Crofts Bakery, then in Ombersley Road.

He worked in JC Bakers agricultural merchants, in Farrier Street, and latterly Austins at Longbridge. He died 14 years ago.

Mrs Edwards – a trained concert pianist – worked as a seamstress at Hunts in The Cross, and then latterly from home, as Greg recalls.

“She was always very talented, and I remember coming downstairs and hanging in the lounge was a wedding dress and five bridesmaids’ dresses,” he said.

Following two more house moves away, Mrs Edwards moved nearer to her family again and now lives in sheltered housing in Upton. Mr Edwards said she was “a very determined woman”.

“She fell a few years ago and broke her hip and in hospital said ‘I am getting out of here, I’m fed-up being in hospital’ – and she did,”

he said.

Her determination may have passed to her four sons, all of whom boxed, and one of whom, Alan, fought in the ring for England.