Neighbours turn out to make 100th birthday in lockdown special for popular Northampton grandmother

The neighbours of Windsor Crescent pulled out all the stops this week to wish Northampton's own Pearl "Kay" Drinkwater a happy 100th birthday.

The Duston grandmother stepped out her front door on Tuesday (February 17) to find her garage made up for the occasion by her friends, family and neighbours.

With several of her family unable to visit because of Covid-19, the popular retired teacher enjoyed warm wishes all through the day from her community.

Pearl - known as Kay to her friends - was born in Buckinghamshire in 1921, the fourth of eight children - seven girls and one boy.

She was brought up on a farm and left school at 14 to go and work in a Children’s home.

She returned to Northampton at the start of the war, having been previously in Plymouth, and worked as a nanny for several families.

She was married for 55 years and has one daughter, two grandsons and two great granddaughters. One grandson lives in Australia with his wife and her two great-granddaughters, aged five and four months. They were due to come over for her birthday celebrations but were unable to visit because of Covid.

Mum has lived in Duston for over 50 years and taught at St James Infant School until her retirement.

She has many interests which she pursued in retirement such as helping to run a regular tea dance, belonging to the Mother’s Union, attending a knitting group and visiting friends.

Her daughter, Wendy, said has very kind neighbours and friends who have helped her throughout the lockdown.