Kathleen Harrison, a resident of Coombe End Court Care Home, celebrated her 100th birthday today with family and friends. Kathleen’s 4 children, 9 grandchildren, over 10 great grandchildren and over 10 great great grandchildren brought flowers and gifts. Kathleen was pleased to receive a birthday card from Her Majesty the Queen.
Dennis Harrison, Kathleen’s son, had arranged the surprise birthday party. When asked what the secret of such a long life was Kathleen replied, “Having a good son like Dennis!”
Kathleen was born on March 30th 1922 in the small village of Manningford Bohune, near Devizes. The family soon moved first to St Peter’s Terrace, Marlborough and then to Cherry Orchard.
She left school aged 14 and went straight into service at Lockeridge House. She continued to live at home so cycled to Lockeridge and back every day. During the war she met Charlie Harrison, who was in the army infantry and stationed in Savernake Forest. The couple married and had four children – Marge, Joe, Shirley and Dennis. They lived in Sebastipol Square on London Road, which is now the ATS tyre garage. When St Margaret’s Mead was built the family moved into a new build on the estate.
For a number of years Kathleen worked at Pelham Puppets and later at Garrard’s Factory on Elcot Lane, making components for record players. She ended her working life aged 65 at Haine and Smith’s glasses factory at Barnfield.
Kathleen’s son, Dennis has fond memories of childhood holidays in Weymouth. He told Marlborough.news, “Every year we all went on holiday to Weymouth for a week – one of our favourite places. We had another week’s holiday in Gateshead, where Charlie was from. Charlie and Kathleen also enjoyed ballroom dancing and went each week to the Heath School of Dancing in Swindon where they won many trophies. Kathleen still has a brilliant brain and memory and is enjoying life at Coombe End Court Care Home.”
Grants awarded to community organisations at last week’s Marlborough Area Board meeting
