Kintbury woman celebrates 100th birthday at Newbury Royal British Legion

A West Berkshire resident enjoyed celebrating her centenary birthday at the weekend.

Joan Sadler has lived in Kintbury all her life. Yesterday (Sunday), more than 60 of her relatives gathered to mark her milestone birthday at the Newbury Royal British Legion.

Mrs Sadler shared her recollections of local life with reporter Mirek Gosney.

She and her family are very much part of the village’s social fabric, her grandfather having been the village blacksmith.

After leaving school at 14, Mrs Sadler spent 10 years working at the Wessex Electricity Company in Oxford Road, Newbury.

Among other things, she remembers the German bombing of Newbury in 1943 when she was a 20-year-old office worker.

“The siren went off and we had to take cover,” she said. “But we couldn’t get across because it was a big house at Speen attached to these offices and we had to get across the lawn to get into the air raid shelter, but there wasn’t enough time.”

“My boss said to me we’ve got to get under the table, so we got under the table.

“We stayed there until the all-clear went off.”

Fortunately, Mrs Sadler managed to avoid the carnage which befell the St John’s Church area, claiming 15 lives.

Mrs Sadler’s last job was as a cleaner at Kintbury Surgery for 24 years. She retired at 95.

Speaking about what she owes to her longevity, she said: “I think you’ve got to stay active if you can, for as long as you can.

“Take an interest in things and move with the times, with the children and grandchildren.

“You might not agree with it, but it’s important.”

And how does she feel about turning 100?

“I don’t feel it to be honest,” she added. “I go shopping every week on the handibus.”

Mrs Sadler fills her time completing crosswords, knitting and has authored books on Kintbury’s history.

She also has 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren to keep her occupied.

She enjoyed celebrating with her family at the Legion.

“The party was excellent and very well attended,” said family member, Roger Day. “Joan really enjoyed seeing so many family and friends. She really is a remarkable woman.”

Mrs Sadler is now working her way through a very extensive pile of birthday cards.