“I remember going to the Isle of Man when I was five,” says Evelyn Heaton as she leans forward in her wide comfortable looking armchair.
The memory of that Manx excursion is clearly something 100 year old Evelyn, pictured right, holds very dear. Her eyes are wide and there’s energy in her voice.
What makes this memory a little bit special is that the young Evelyn was strolling down the streets of Douglas on her holiday in 1913, a year before the outbreak of World War One.
The blank pages of the 20th century were still to be filled. And as we now know, the unfolding history revealed a time when the human race soared to dizzying new heights and plumbed terrible new depths.
Almost a century later, the living room of Evelyn’s cosy ground floor council flat in Scholes is busy. There’s neighbour and friend Jean, grandchildren John and Joanne, care workers Doreen and Carlene… oh and the Mayor’s on her way.
Evelyn, who was born just around the corner from where she now lives, is being honoured as part of National Meals on Wheels Week as she’s one of the service’s most senior clients.
Each day at noon there’s a knock on her door and lunch is served – a tasty and balanced meal that gives Evelyn everything she needs to continue her remarkable story.
But while she may be one of the oldest customers, she’s also one of the newest because up until six months ago she remained completely independent.
The council serves up 3,000 meals to homes across the borough each week. But it’s more than that – it’s a friendly face, the chance for a chat and the reassurance that all is well.
Kathy Rudd, who helps organises Meals on Wheels for the council, says: “We provide the service every day of the year, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. We offer a main meal and dessert that makes up one third of the daily nutrients you need for good health.”
And Evelyn needs to keep up her strength because she’s got big plans.
“I really want to tell young people what it is like to be 100,” she says. “I have seen a lot of changes in Wigan over my lifetime. It’s almost unrecognisable and I think people need to know what it was like.”
She’s already taken part in events with young people at Central Day Centre and Wigan Library and she’s even talking of going into schools to speak to classes about her amazing life.
Residents who want more information about Meals on Wheels can contact the team on 01942 827829.
