EARLIER this month, a local lady celebrated her 100th birthday, and the day was celebrated with much ceremony at Southway Care Home, Cowbridge.
Margaret Ruth Hunter was serenaded by Cowbridge Choral Society and the Mayor of Cowbridge, Cllr Geraint Baty, visited to offer his congratulations. She also, of course, received a congratulatory card from King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Margaret was born on 8th December 1925 at Kemmel Stores, Blaengwynfi, Neath Port Talbot, seven miles north of Pontrhydyfen, birthplace of Richard Burton. Her parents were greengrocers and the stores were named after Mount Kemmel in Belgium where her father, Tom served in World War One.
Her childhood centred around the village. She and her brother Roy helped in the store after school. They were active In the church, where her father preached and wrote plays.
During World War Two, Margaret worked in the Coal Board offices (classed as war work). She trained as a shorthand typist but always wanted to be a hairdresser and still takes pride in her hair today. In 1952 her parents both died within months of each other. They were only in their late 50s and Margaret and Roy were in their 20s.
While on holiday Margaret met John Hunter, a Londoner and they married in 1956. Brother Roy gave away the bride. They settled in the London area as John worked in British Steel headquarters in London as a statistician. Margaret worked in a variety of offices. They had no children.
For John and Margaret, a regular holiday spot was Rhossili, Gower, where they owned a caravan. John retired at age 60 and looked forward to a long retirement. However, it was not to be and sadly John passed away after a battle with cancer, aged only 63. Margaret was strong and thanks to the support of her neighbours, many close friends and John’s family she busied herself by learning to drive, attending painting classes, lunch meetings with friends and teaching herself piano.
Brother Roy would visit Margaret and park his motorhome in her drive and they would have days out exploring the countryside and coast. On one occasion, when Margaret was 84 visiting Roy at his home in Cowbridge, she decided to take a bus trip to Cardiff on her own. All was well until the last bus from Cardiff station to Cowbridge was cancelled. Luckily, a fellow passenger summoned his sister and they took her back to Cowbridge in their car. Roy thought this was newsworthy and the South Wales Echo published an article on the issue with a picture of Margaret.
Back home in Sittingbourne, Margaret was happy with her routine which included a daily walk to her local store. In 2012 on one dark rainy evening in December, she was knocked over by a car. It was an accident as driving conditions were very poor.
Because of the broken bones, damage to neck, head and bruising, she was in hospital for many weeks. There was concern for her staying in Sittingbourne but Margaret resisted many offers from Roy to live with him in Cowbridge. However, in her 90s, early dementia was diagnosed and Roy looked after her for three years until his worsening mobility made it too difficult to continue.
Margaret was able to secure a residency at Southway Care Home, Cowbridge, in November 2018 where she is very happy.
News, Letters, Sport and advertising are welcomed by the Glamorgan Star – the largest newspaper or magazine in the Vale of Glamorgan. Contact us today here.
- Prolific thief banned from entering shops in Barry
- Man is sentenced for ‘swatting’
- Notorious murderer has prison sentence extended for laundering drug money
- Porthcawl man is jailed for concealing mother’s death
- Alleged Turkey assault ends in tragedy as man dies
Former Barry office building transformed into vital new homes
Prolific thief banned from entering shops in Barry
I’m proud that all parties agreed on children in care plan
Royal Welsh highlights the role of the rural economy
Parent may have to lose job for school run
Double victory for Pencoed cricketers
⭐ All of our social media in one handy place – here
