Good golly, Dolly is 103

7:26pm Friday 17th August 2007

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DOROTHY Eatwell's work ethic has served her well.

The grandmother who was born and lived all her life in Purton is celebrating her 103rd birthday on Saturday.

She attributes her longevity and health to about 70 years worth of hard work.

Friends gathered around Dorothy - who is known as Dolly - at Cedars nursing home in Purton on Friday where she lives to toast her birthday.

"I left school at 12, and stared work running errands straight away," recalls Dolly.

"I had to leave school as there was nowhere else to progress to in Purton then.

"All you could do was work and make the best of yourself. I worked jolly hard. I did everything to earn a shilling. I did my best."

Dolly married railway worker Percy, also from Purton, when she was 23 and had three children - Alec, Hazel and Valerie.

She worked in Wills tobacco factory, Garrards and a dental factory.

After she retired, she chose not to opt for a rest and soldiered on delivering newspapers.

She also came to the aid of young women in Purton who were pregnant, as she helped them with housework and chores.

"I was always helping women who were expecting babies.

"They would say: Dolly, can you help us," she said.

Dolly's family is putting on a birthday bash for her next week and her sister Amy is scheduled to arrive from America.

At 90 Dorothy travelled to America on her own to see Amy and also travelled to Malta on her own.

She said that visiting the US is one of her most precious memories as it was her chance to see life from outside Purton.

"I was born in Purton," she said.

"I've lived here all my life. I've never gone anywhere else apart from the US and Malta."

Dorothy's friends toasted her health yesterday at Cedars.

Friend Joyce White, 84, said: "I think she is a marvellous person for her age to have all her faculties about her.

"If I'm like that when I'm 93, I'll be happy, she said.

Joan Richardson said: "I've known Dolly for years but have got friendly with her since I've been in the Cedars.

"She has done well to reach 103.

She has a good memory."