Centenarian celebrates 100 years young in Cold Ash

Infant school songs and card a highlight

A West Berkshire woman who stood up to the boss of M&S celebrated her 100th birthday last week.

When Rona Bernard was born on January 20, 1916, the last British troops had been evacuated from Gallipoli and the first successful blood transfusion using stored and cooled blood had been performed.

Mrs Bernard, who is pictured above left with mayor of Thatcham Sheila Ellison and pupils from Parsons Down Infant School, was born in Kintbury to Bob and Lily Painting.

It is said that Mrs Painting’s response was that she did not want her daughter because she already had three girls.

Consequently, Mrs Bernard spent a lot of time living with her grandmother, away from her 10 brothers and sisters.

She left school at 14 and worked in large houses, looking after the masters’ and mistresses’ children, as her small stature meant that she was unsuited to cooking or kitchen work.

It wasn’t all bad though, as she enjoyed holidaying with the children, spending summer months in London and coastal houses.

She also met her future husband, Ted, on a trip to the Isle of Wight.

During the war years Mrs Bernard worked at Elliott’s glider factory in Newbury and watched for fires started by bombs.

Mr and Mrs Bernard later settled in a house near Victoria Park, Newbury, where their son Richard was born. Richard died in his early 20s, leaving the couple childless.

Mrs Bernard is a familiar face in Newbury having worked at Marks & Spencer for 25 years.

On one occasion she argued with the company’s chairman, the late Lord Sieff of Brimpton, about the placing of an angel cake. Her family said that Lord Sieff eventually gave in to her request.

They added that Mrs Bernard always boasted that, owing to her small stature, she has had to stand up for her rights, which she has and still does.

The outdoors has always been enjoyed by Mrs Bernard, who has gone on walks regardless of the weather.

Even in her late 80s, she would walk from her flat at Turnpike to Newbury to shop. She has also enjoyed many foreign excursions.

Two of Mrs Bernard’s brothers and one sister still visit her, along with her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews, who all love her dearly and keep in touch.

Mrs Bernard celebrated her centenary with a fish-and-chip lunch party with family and friends and mayor of Thatcham Sheila Ellison at Holly Grange, Cold Ash, where she now lives.

The highlight of her day was when her great-great-niece Alice and pupils from Parsons Down Infant School sang songs and presented her with a huge card that they all had a hand in making.