Former Padiham 'land girl' turns 100 with party at the Higher Trapp Hotel in Simonstone
Former ‘land girl’ Annie Isherwood is celebrating her 100th birthday.
Annie, who still lives in her own home in Padiham, was born in Salford and evacuated to Hornby in Yorkshire at the age of 13, where she lived with foster parents.
She started work at 16, drilling aeroplane parts, then at 17 she was called to serve with the Womens’ Land Army which was formed during the two world wars to replace male agricultural workers conscripted into the military. Their vital labour on farms across Britain ensured domestic food production remained high enough to prevent the country from starving.
In 2008 Annie, who has 12 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, was presented with a commemorative medal and certificate by the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown for her services to the WLA.
Annie married her late husband George, who was farm labourer, at the age of 19 and they had eight children. Widowed at the age of 38, Annie was left to bring up seven of her children on her own. It was then she moved the family to a small farm in Padiham where they worked as labourers for the owner.
She later moved into the town and worked at Progress Mill, retiring at 59 when it closed down. Annie, who enjoys seeing her friends and being in her garden, is a member of Padiham Road Methodist Church where she hosted a birthday lunch after Sunday service.
“Staying busy and having friends and family to look after her’ is the key to long life for Annie who is looking forward to a party at the Higher Trapp Hotel in Simonstone.