100 year old Irene says the secret to her long life is hard work

Irene Jones was born Irene Bromilow the youngest of six on March 1 1924 – narrowly missing becoming a leap year baby by just a few hours.

The family grew up in the familial home of four generations which was Friars Cottage on Washway Lane - often referred to it as the white cottage – which was a small holding selling eggs, flowers and bedding plants.

Irene as a child (Image: Lorraine Thomas)

Aged 17, the former Moss Bank infant school and Windlehurst Junior School pupil met the love of her life Bert Jones while he was taking sand to the sandwash right across from the cottage when he was 18.

The pair later married in St Marks CE Church on North Road on March 29 1947, whilst Bert was on 48 hours of leave from the army.

Irene in her youth (Image: Lorraine Thomas)

Irene, who became a seamstress as well as working helping out at the Cottage has led a full packed life, including family holidays across the world including riding camels in her 80s and a hip replacement aged 95 – a recovery of which marvelled doctors.

Bert died in October 1987 aged 64 years and since then she has lived with her daughter Jennifer, now 75 in Billinge.

Bert and Irene (Image: Lorraine)

Her proud granddaughter, Lorraine, 50, said: “My nan is bubbly and friendly with everyone, she loves a good party and socialising and her gardening, which she still does to this day in her greenhouse in the garden.

“She’s just amazing and we couldn’t love her more than we do.

Irene now (Image: Irene now)

“I asked her what the secret to a long and happy life is and she said it is lots of hard work and don’t think about your age, she said ‘I’ve no time to think about my age’.”

Irene, who is also a great-gran to Lorraine’s daughter Stephanie, 23, celebrated her birthday on March 1 with a party at Billinge Chapel End Labour Club with more than 100 family and friends.