Sheffield woman whose family ran the popular Ford Tea Gardens celebrates 100th birthday

Her family say that as the daughter of a coal miner and her mother's family working in the cutlery industry, she's practically made of Sheffield mineral and metal.

The great-grandmother celebrates her 100th birthday today and her family have used the date to fondly look back at her life.

Peggy was born in Ridegway, on the outskirts of Sheffield, to Ben and Doris Wood. She had an old sister Renie and younger brother, Reg.

“At the time of granny's birth in 1921, her mum was very fond of the song "Peg o' my heart" which was popular at the time," said her granddaughter Letty Porter.

"Her father registered his new daughter's birth and, without consulting his wife, registered her as Marjory.

"When Ben told his wife about it, she replied: 'Well, she'll always be Peggy to me,' and Peggy she has been, for 100 years.

“Her father was a coal miner and her mother’s family worked in the cutlery industry, so she’s practically made of Sheffield mineral and metal in my opinion."

Peggy's father was a pit deputy and was injured while helping rescue a work colleague in a pit accident, in 1926 and after fighting for compensation from the pit company he was handed some money, but also his notice.

This meant he had to find a new form of employment, in the steel works in the Attercliffe area.

Ben showed great entrepreneurial guile and used the money he was awarded to buy nine and three quarters acres of land in Ridgeway, consisting of a wood and two fields.

In the summer friends from Sheffield would come to visit Ben, and his wife and enjoy refreshments.

Word spread of their hospitality and more and more people from Sheffield came to enjoy the fresh air at what became popularly known as the Ford Tea Gardens.

At its height Peggy recalls four double decker buses waiting to take the day trippers back to Sheffield.

“Ben and Doris were the original Airbnb entrepreneurs, they constructed temporary chalets rented out as weekend retreats," said Letty.

"It is still possible to see remnants of the tea gardens as daffodils, planted beside the chalets, still appear each spring.

"As Doris got frailer they had to abandon the tea gardens, which was dismantled in the 1970's.”

Peggy’s father had great educational aspirations for her. He wanted her to go on to attend university after she’d gained a place at grammar school.

But she was more interested in leaving school at 16. While at school a classmate received a leaflet inviting her to take an exam to become a civil servant, something which interested Peggy.

But the exams were to be held in Manchester and, up to this point, Peggy had never been out of Ridgeway or even into a cafe by herself, let alone travelling alone to Manchester.

She was sent off to stay with a distant relative in Manchester for the three days of exams.

Although scoring well, she failed to gain one of the few civil service vacancies in Sheffield.

Peggy was given the choice of taking an immediate post in London or waiting for a vacancy to become available in Sheffield.

She persuaded her parents to let her take a post in London, on the condition she applied for a transfer back to Sheffield as soon as she arrived.

Her father had to write a letter to the Home Office giving his consent for Peggy to take up the post because at the time she was under 21.

In February 1939 Peggy began working in a corner office where she could see Big Ben, and views along Whitehall.

Peggy's daughter Joy Hannon sad: "Every morning when she approached the door to her work place, she would receive a smart salute from the commissioner in uniform and hat, which she loved.

"She thought she was the bee’s knees “

Peggy was perfectly placed to see members of the Royal Family and saw The Queen, Princesses Elizebeth and Margeret on several occasions.

Her office entrance was the same door the Queen and other members of the Royal family emerge from to lay wreaths, on Remembrance Sunday.

At least one night a week Peggy along with other girls from work had to stay overnight at work to familiarise themselves with what they would have to do if they were ever called on to stay over in event of an air raid.

Peggy enjoyed this time immensely.

Joy said: “They would have midnight feasts. It was just like being a little girl at school it was so exciting.”

Peggy enjoyed every minute of time in London, but she was not over the moon at having to move back to Sheffield because she had met her future husband Graham Boorman.

But true to her word she returned after nearly a year in London, taking up a post at the central Post Office in Sheffield.

Graham joined the RAF and fought during the Second World War.

After the war Graham left the RAF and moved to Sheffield and the couple married July 1945.

Graham became the postman in the village and was soon promoted to inspector, taking charge of post office delivery drivers in Sheffield.

Peggy and Graham had three children, Joy, Garry and Neil.

She is very proud of her three grandchildren Ben, Letty and Sally and great grand-daughter, Penny, who is two.

Joy said her mother loved her family holidays to Blackpool and was taught to ballroom dance there and went onto win many competitions there.

She said: " So now her favorite programme is Strictly come Dancing, as she gets to see the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.

"Peggy absolutely loved to dance. If she could get up and dance she would.

“ 'I’ve danced there,' she would say every time it appeared on the programme."

Peggy was a member of Ridgeways Women's Institute, where she was secretary, treasurer and president and made an honorary life long member.

She was also secretary of The Women's Fellowship of Ridgeway Methodist church.

Joy added: "My mom absolutely loved dressmaking, sewing was her big thing.

"When I was in my teens she made all my clothes. She’s made loads of things for charities.

"At one stage she was knitting as well, making hats for seamen for a charity

"She’s done some extraordinary things, but she never thinks she’s extraordinary. She’s very very modest.”

Peggy will celebrate her birthday at The Grange care home, in Eckington, where she lives.

“The Grange is absolutely wonderful,my mom is very happy there and it's a really lovely home," said Joy

"My mom always says that it's her home and I’m loved.

"Later on in the year the family will get together. Family is more important to my mom than anything else.

"She would love to see her family, but understands she can’t."

Staff at The Grange described her as 'an absolute star' and a kind, loving lady, always grateful and family orientated.'

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.