ONE of Lewisham's oldest residents celebrated 103 years of living in the borough with a birthday bash.

Ethel Baker, who has three children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, keeps in touch with old friends and current affairs with weekly discussion groups, at the Disability Day Centre, in Dressington Avenue, which held a birthday party for her.

She was presented with a bouquet from Lewisham Council and a cake from her family.

When the First World War began, Ethel, then aged 14, worked at Woolwich Arsenal making bullets.

She later moved on to the Robertson's Jam Factory, in Bromley Road, Catford, and in 1932 moved into the house in Honley Road, where she still lives today.

January 28, 2003 10:30