Bury football supporter, Mrs Annie Maden was “over the moon” when the club’s head of football, Chris Brass, called in at Hewlett Court to “sign her up” her on her 100th birthday with a shirt autographed by the whole team, wishing her well.
Annie has been a Bury supporter since she married her husband Eddie in 1938. She was overjoyed when the team won promotion at the end of last season but when Chris called in at the residential home with the special present, she was almost lost for words.
She did manage to say that she still follows the club’s fortunes every game though she cannot get down to Gigg Lane these days.
Head of Bury Football, Chris Brass, welcomes Mrs Annie Maden to the squad
The RW Prov. Grand Master, Sir David Trippier, visited Annie with his wife, Lady Ruth, to wish her well and to top off the day, the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Mrs Stella Smith and her consort, her husband, John, also called to help celebrate her 100th birthday.
RW Provincial Grand master, Sir David Trippier reads a card from her Majesty, the Queen, while Lady Ruth toasts Mrs Annie Maden’s 100th Birthday
The Mayor, Councillor Mrs Stella Smith and her Consort, Husband John, celebrate Mrs Maden’s 100th Birthday
The Mayor, Councillor Mrs Stella Smith and her Consort, Husband John with Mrs Julie Ward, ELMC Director of Operations
Annie received a rather small card from the residents of Hewlett Court which they all joined in to make as well as presenting Annie with 37 pink roses representing one from each resident which of course was well received and appreciated.
A toast was given by Julie Ward on behalf of everybody at Hewlett Court with many, many bottles of prosecco. Annie stood up and responded and thanked everybody for attending. A splendid buffet was laid on, possibly to help soak up some of the drink which was followed by some “to die for cakes” and to finally finish off a stunning birthday cake
Annie also received a birthday card from the Queen which arrived, due to the retiming of postal deliveries, only 10 minutes before the party started at 12pm!
The party moved in to the conservatory where a group photo of Annie’s family had a group photo taken which was followed by a musical interlude given by members of her family on the piano and flute.
ELMC Director of Operations, Mrs Julie Ward, said Annie had had a tremendous day and a fabulous party, joined by her sons, Alan and David and her four grandchildren, Sophie, Holly, Benjamin and William as well as the 37 other residents of the home. Mrs Ward thanked Chris Brass and the club for “making Annie’s day” with his visit.
Mrs Annie Maden
Annie worked in the cotton industry as a bobbin winder at Barlow’s Mill, in Chapelfield, Radcliffe until her marriage. Her husband, Eddie, a lifelong Bury supporter, was a shuttle maker at the family firm of Maden and Hardman in Radcliffe. One of their neighbours in Radcliffe was Shakers’ skipper, David Jones, who played wing half just after the war. Their families became great friends.
The couple moved from Radcliffe after 40 years to Greenmount and, sadly, Annie was left a widow in October 1994 and moved to Hewlett Court in 2007.
Annie is a former President of Radcliffe Inner Wheel and continued her association after moving to Greenmount, where she became a regular attender and active member of Greenmount United Reformed Church. She is now the oldest member. Annie was also a member of the local Women’s Institute.
Annie, whose father was a miner at Ladyshore Colliery in Little Lever, survives all her four elder sisters, Margaret, Florence, Nellie and Lena, with Margaret and Nellie each reaching the age of 99.
A big thank you should go to Julie Ward and all the hardworking staff at Hewlett Court for help making the day a triumph.
Photographs by courtesy of Mrs Julie Ward and WBro Paul Sellers
See the Report in the Bury Times HERE
