‘I’ve had a wonderful life!’- Cwmbran woman turns 100 and celebrates with her family and former workmates

A Cwmbran woman celebrated her 100th birthday with her family and former workmates from the Boots store in Cwmbran.

Peggy Tomkins lives in Croesyceiliog and became a centenarian on Saturday 20 January. She was born in Crumlin worked in her parents’ cafe called Grubbs after leaving school. This led to a job in Oakdale, cooking for the men known as the Bevin Boys, who were conscripted to work in the mines to increase coal production during World War II.

Julie Tomkins, her daughter-in-law said: “She came to Cwmbran to live after she had her daughter, Ann, and then went on to have two more children, Jenny and Peter. They lived in White House Road in Croesyceiliog. After having Peter she went back to work as a caretaker in the school on The Highway in the days when they had to light coal fires.

“Her husband would get up early with her, before he went to work in Girlings, to light all the fires. Where she lives now in Ty George Lansbury, her lounge window overlooks the old school where she worked. When North Road School opened she finished at the school and went to work in Boots until she retired.

“In Peggy’s words, she always says: ‘I’ve had a wonderful life!'”

Photos from Peggy’s 100th birthday party