100 Not Out... Happy Birthday Barbara!

Barbara Drewell has lived in Ealing for fifty years and has just celebrated her big day

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A daily glass of sherry and keeping active could be clues to making it to the magical 100.

Barbara Drewell from Ealing Common celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday 5 March.

Born in South Wales in 1921, the eldest of seven children she moved with her family to Notting Hill in 1926. In 1941 Barbara married Jim Drewell when he was home on leave from the war and their son Alan, a war baby, was born in 1943, another son, Bernard followed in 1948 and daughter Barbara was born in 1952. In 1958 the Drewell family moved to Acton and then in 1969 to Ealing Common, where Barbara still lives.

With daughter Barbara and son Bernard

Sadly, Jim passed away in 1989 after a long illness. In the years that followed Barbara made many new friends, and developed an interest in playing Bridge to a high level, and enjoyed many Bridge trips in the UK and abroad. Her family believe that it was her competitive spirit and determination to win that has kept her mind active.

Until recently Barbara went to St Barnabas church in Pitshanger as often as she could and residents of Pitshanger may remember her time as a volunteer in the Children’s Society charity shop on Pitshanger Lane where she helped every week for 20 years, only retiring ten years ago - at the age of 90.

In recent years her family say her eyesight and hearing have deteriorated, but her mind and memory remain as sharp as they ever were. She remains positive, is very mobile, enjoys a daily glass of sherry and is as determined as ever to be as independent as she can.

Barbara has 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren and celebrates life with her family 2 or 3 times a year at Ealing Golf Club where she is a social member.

Unfortunately Covid-19 prevented her from celebrating this huge milestone at the Club, however her card from the Queen made up for it and she thoroughly enjoyed her day.

Happy Birthday to Barbara from all at Ealing Today!

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Annemarie Flanagan

9 March 2021