Star date: 20th January 2019

FROM HANKY PARK TO LITTLETON ROAD VIA LANCASTER BOMBERS AND THE 'MONKEY RUN'

Salford's Margaret McHale turned one hundred this week as her six children and relatives gathered for a huge party at The Broughtons Care Home. Born in Hanky Park, Margaret moved around central Salford, to Ellor Street, Warburton Street and finally to Littleton Road, as part of the slum clearances.

A proper Salford lass, Margaret worked on Lancaster Bombers during the war and as a machinist in Strangeways, and, as the family partied with residents and staff, there were a zillion anecdotes that will echo with loads of local families.

Full details here...

The Broughton's Care Home resident, Margaret McHale, turned one hundred this week, complete with a card from the Queen and a telegram from Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Mother to four sons and two daughters, with eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, Margaret's story will reverberate with many old Salford families. Born in Hanky Park, she moved to Ellor Street and then Warburton Street with its tin bath, outside toilet and cockroaches, before moving to 'paradise' at Littleton Road in Lower Kersal as part of the slum clearances...

"It had gardens front and back, she said it was like heaven" recalls her daughter Margaret McHale.

Struggling to live at home, Margaret senior moved to The Broughton's Care Home around six years ago... "She's well looked after and the staff are wonderful" says daughter Gloria Rothwell "I think she's a real favourite here; even though some workers were on a day off they came in for her birthday."

And as the family, staff and residents gathered for a huge party, complete with Irish music and Margaret's son singing Dirty Old Town, there were loads of anecdotes.

"She didn't drink much but they used to have lock-ins in the pubs and the police would turn up and ask her what she was drinking...'Oooh, half a mild please!'" she'd answer" laughs Gloria.

"She worked at Metro Vicks in Trafford Park on Lancaster Bombers during war, but never took time off even during the blitz" she adds "After the war she met my dad, Frank, on what they called the 'monkey run'; I think it was a thing where you'd eye up the local talent, where you went cop for a partner. She loved the dancehalls. For a wedding present her mum bought her a brush and shovel!"

After the war, Margaret worked as a machinist in Strangeways and could make any kind of clothes for her children, from collar-less 'Beatle jackets' to fancy dresses for the girls, before ending her working days as a cleaner at Salford University well into her seventies.

So what is the secret of Margaret's long life?

"She didn't have a particularly good diet, but it was simple and one of my earliest memories is of her drinking Bovril with stale bread in it" says Gloria "She had a simple way of life but was tough, wasn't scared of anybody and didn't half stick up for us.

"At Catholic school the nuns were really cruel" she adds "and once my mother ran there to sort them out...when she arrived she said 'You should be defrocked, you...'"

In later years, new technology kind of left Margaret behind..."When our brother, Ronnie, moved to New Zealand we got her a computer so she could talk to him and see him, and took her to Curry's where the guy was explaining about virus protection" says Gloria "She said 'Oh no, I don't need that, I've had the flu jab'."

Ronnie and his family are now back living in the North Wes and attended the party this week, joined by every one of Margaret's children. A card from his wife, Sue, summed up the family's feelings...

"You have been a listening ear and a caring presence in your family for which we are all truly grateful" she wrote "Your smile continues to light up the dining and sitting room at The Broughton's Care Home..."